Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 27 of 36

AITD KHON

This ring find began when I got a call from Detlev who lives in Kailua. While his wife Dayna was enjoying some time at the beach earlier that day with some school children she took off her wedding rings and placed them in her towel. A short time later she grabbed her towel and in that moment the rings got flung into the powdery beach sand and disappeared. They searched frantically for several minutes but neither ring was found. A Google search found « The ring finders » and that’s when I received the call. Detlev said he could meet me at the beach park around 3:15PM and we could go down to he beach from there. A rain storm blew through the area so hopefully that kept the typical sand detectorists home for the day. As we arrived in the area the rings were lost you could see numerous hand raking marks in the sand. Only if it was that easy. Detlev pull out the diagram he and Dayna drew to show me where the rings were lost. I started a grid search while Detlev sat on a bench nearby. On my return leg I got a nice platinum tone and two scoops down was Dayna’s ring with the solitaire diamond. Now to find the Wedding band. I continued on but only found 3 cents. I asked Detlev if the other ring was supposed to be near where we found the other ring and he said, « No the diagram has it out front of this bench a ways. » As I continued on the grid search Detlev yelled out, « Joe the ring is right here » Detlev happened to glance down and it was exposed in the sand. We must have done that when we walked over to the bench. In any case both rings are now back on Dayna’s finger. Aloha to Detlev & Dayna!

This ring find began when I got a 8PM call from David who was on his honeymoon in Hawaii with his lovely wife Lindsay and they both are from my home state of Pennsylvania. They had eloped that same day. So the ring wasn’t even on his finger 24 hours. He explained, while enjoying a day at the hotel beach David went for a swim. He barely got wet when his White Gold Wedding Band came off in chest deep water. He immediately called Lindsay who was tanning in a lounge chair to come help him find it. They got some swim goggles and tried desperately to find the ring but that wasn’t to be. I told David I wanted to take a shot tonight and that I was just on the hill above the hotel. We went down to the beach and entered the water. David took me to the spot he thought he was at and I started a grid search. Fairly sterile area with only some metal scrap pieces. There just wasn’t enough moon or ambient light to see and do a proper grid search so I asked David if we could try again the next day. They were checking out at noon so that would be a great opportunity. I met them at valet parking and we went back out to the spot. After a Florida State quarter and a dime I got a nice gold tone. The ring was thin and played with me a little bit before it would go in my scoop. But finally it emerged and I called over to David who was my grid marker…I got a ring come look and see if its yours. Sure enough perfect fit. David said Joe this is how memories are made. He’s right. Honeymoon saved and these two still have plenty of adventure time in Hawaii. Aloha to David & Lindsay.

This ring find began when I received a voicemail from Pastor Les Araki. While metal detecting on Waikiki Beach a young couple Bruno & Maria on there honeymoon from Uruguay approached him and said Bruno had just lost his ring in waist deep water. Pastor Les was pressed for time but took a quick hunt however he didn’t locate the ring. They borrowed the lifeguards cellphone and called me at home. Since I’m only 10 minutes from Waikiki I told Bruno I would load up my gear and be right down. I met Bruno & his lovely wife Maria on the beach and asked Bruno to join me in the water where he thought the ring fell off. We went about halfway into the protected area and Bruno looked ashore to see if Maria agreed to the location. She gave a nod and I turned on the Excal and started walking parallel to the beach. Five paces later and ten feet from Bruno I got a nice tone and two scoops down out came Bruno’s Gold Wedding Band. He was astonished how quick the recovery occurred. As we walked toward the shore the beach goers in the area started clapping. One gentleman said, « How did you find it so fast? » « Great equipment and a little experience by the operator, » I said. A few hugs and hand shakes and Bruno said, « Thank you for saving my honeymoon. » Aloha to Bruno & Maria.

This ring find began when I received an email from Ben who works with the Air Force and lives in Honolulu. Ben was enjoying the Bay with his family and before entering the water at Hanauma Bay he put his gold wedding band in his wallet. After taking a dip he returned to the area his family was on the beach and noticed his toddler son had picked up his wallet. He didn’t realize until after they left that his ring was gone. He went back to the beach was unsuccessful in finding it. That evening he found the ring finders and sent me the email. After calling him we agreed to meet at the park entrance at 6AM then proceed down to the beach to hunt for the ring. Their already was another detectorist I know hunting the other side of the park thankfully. It was a rather simple hunt in the dry sand. Ben drew a grid in the sand and I went to work. Two quarters and one dime and then BOOM! Gold Tone! One scoop and there was Ben’s ring. A sigh of relief came from Ben and I knew a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Not an expensive ring but the sentimental value is always priceless. Aloha to Ben.

While finishing up a ring find at Lanikai Beach my wife Wendy texted me to call Vera in Waikiki. When I called Vera who was vacationing with her husband Joe from Anchorage Alaska told me her husband just lost his hand-made Silver Tribal ring in three feet of water near the Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki. I told Vera I could be there in about 30 minutes as I was on the North side of the island. We met at the statue and proceeded down to the beach. The rollers were coming in quite steady from knee to overhead. It was all I could do to try and stay in one spot. I had a great high tone but the target kept escaping my scoop. I went ashore and got Joe to join me in the water so we could work together. Between sets I dug like a madman only to be thrown about after a few seconds. Finally on about the 15th scoop the tone was gone and there in my scoop was the Silver Eskimo Tribal ring. Incredible engraving. Vera & Joe had a matched set and Joe admitted when the ring came off he cried. He thought it was lost forever. These rings have very sentimental value to the Alaskan natives as he and Vera explained to me. I was only glad it finally ended up in my scoop after so many attempts. Aloha to Joe & Vera!