Metal detecting services Waikiki Tag | Page 27 of 36 | The Ring Finders

100th Return! Lost Gold Wedding Band at Aulani Disney Resort Ko Olina…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This 100th Ring Find began when I got a text from Peter who is a resident at Ko Olina on Tuesday May 9th. While paddle boarding in the lagoon his wedding band came off in 12-15 feet of water. He immediately tried finding the ring with a mask & snorkel but the powdery sand in the deep part of the lagoon swallowed it whole. I told Peter I’d come over that weekend and see if I could find it on scuba. Peter said the ring was a silver metal square shaped ring. No luck on that first dive as the surf silted up the area and I couldn’t see where I had detected. I planned for the next weekend and I told Peter I’d bring a grid line to take under water to keep on track. The next weekend I laid my grid line and started the hunt. After the first leg I moved the grid line and started down the next leg. Four feet from the end of my grid I got an amazing tone and five hand scoops later there was a 14k white gold square wedding band in my hand. It was also engraved LOVE YOU COLLEEN. I called Peter and texted him a pic of the ring. Amazing he replied. No one can believe it. And all those years he thought it was silver. We met at Kahala Mall at the Jack Lord statue for the ring’s return. Aloha to Peter!

Lost Gold Wedding Band at Kaneohe Sandbar…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began on 31 January 2017 when I received a ring finders email from Irena who resides in Sherman Oaks California that while enjoying a day on the Kaneohe Sand Bar her husband Arun’s wedding band fell off into 1-2 feet of water. They looked for a period of time but couldn’t find the ring. You need a boat to get to the Sand Bar however mine was getting serviced and it was going to take awhile as we waited for parts. Something you get used to here…waiting for everything. Irena asked a few contacts she had but nothing panned out. Then we were in for a spell of bad weather and high surf. The days and weeks went by then I finally got my boat back. Also luckily for me since I’d never been to the Sand Bar a gentleman named Marshall that purchased a sand scoop from us « All Island Treasure Detectors » while talking story told me he had been to the Sand Bar many times over the years and knew the navigation very well. Perfect timing just the man I need! We waited for good weather and an ideal tide to spend the most amount of time on the Sand Bar as possible. Finally on 14 April Marshall and I headed out. We used Irena’s Google Maps Pin Drop to anchor the boat and start our search area. The Sand Bar is a party location and is littered with pull tabs, bottle caps and other metallic party remnants. In addition to all that I found a Silver ring and assorted coins. It came time to depart and we started the boat for departure when I noticed the « no wake » buoy just off the Sand Bar. I remembered seeing that in some of Irena’s photos so when I got back home I asked Irena to send me as many photos she could with that buoy and other landmarks in the background. On 11 May Marshall & I got another opportunity weather and tide wise to return to the Sand Bar. This time we brought Irena’s pictures and did some cross fixes to the landmarks. As you can see in the blog pics Marshall duplicated the exact view Irena provided.

I laid my red nylon cord grid line down perpendicular to the shoreline at the point Irena would have exited their boat back in January. I proceeded to detect towards the area the three beach beauties appeared to be frolicking in. Marshall went the other direction and called over that he found a White Gold Band. It only said 14K on the inside so that wasn’t it. I found a few coins, pull tabs, a Gold Sunrise Shell Earring and a tiny Gold Ring with two Diamonds. Then the Excal screamed and I knew I was about to find something really nice. That tone I will never forget. One scoop down and there in my scoop was a beautiful White Gold Wedding Band. I looked skyward and said please God let this be it. The inscription initials and date were a perfect match. I put my scoop in the sand where I found the ring and went back to my boat to get my camera to take a few pics and to send one to Irena for verification.


She texted back, Yep!!! That’s it! The next day I confirmed mailing the ring back to California and Irena texted,  » Amazing, this whole thing is so surreal. I still can’t believe it’s found. Thank you!! » As you can see the ring is back on Arun’s finger. Aloha to Arun & Irena. A big Mahalo to Marshall for helping with the navigation and encouragement!

Lost Wedding Band at Aulani Disney Resort Ko Olina…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when I got a voicemail from Steven who was on his Honeymoon from Los Angeles, California. While trying to entice his new bride Carolina into deeper water in the resort’s lagoon Steven’s Tungsten Wedding Band came off. Steven and his lovely wife tried to find it but as usual the sand consumed the ring and they were leaving the next day. It was late so I texted Steven that I was going to be at the Resort early the next morning and we could meet so he could show me whereabouts the ring came off. The area lined up nicely with shower stand and a tree. I went back and forth underwater from shallow to deep. The depth Steven remembered was up to his chin. After several shallow passes with no target I got a screaming tungsten tone. Surprisingly to me the ring was several scoops down into the sand already. As I went to the shower to rinse off along came Steven & Carolina…I told them I found a ring and it looked as Steven had described. Sure enough Steven confirmed it was his. Another Honeymoon ends on a happy note. Aloha to Steven & Carolina!

Lost Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring at Makapu’u Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when I received a text from my wife as I returned from a ring find on Kaneohe Sand Bar. Miriam who lives in Waikiki told my wife she lost her Gold and Diamonds Engagement Ring in the dry sand at Makapu’u Beach the past Saturday. It’s a small beach on the East coast near Sea Life Park. I know a buddy named Steve hits that beach regularly so I thought maybe he would have found it if I don’t. I told Miriam I could meet her at the Coco Marina Center and we could drive down to the beach together to find her ring. All went as planned and we went down to the beach to hunt. Miriam wasn’t exactly sure where the ring was lost but gave me the general area which was over half a football field in size. Only one way to tackle this get moving Joe. Long story short and several targets later I got a sizzling tone and there in the scoop was a gorgeous ring. I told Miriam, « I found a ring but its much nicer than the one you described. » « That’s it », she exclaimed. Perfect lets get out of this heat. Total hunt time about 30 minutes. Miriam told me she had prayed for the ring’s recovery that morning. I assured her prayers work! Aloha and blessings to Miriam.

Lost Platinum & Diamonds Wedding Rings at Kalama Beach Kailua…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

Lost Gold Wedding Band at Kahala Hotel Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


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.

Lost Gold Wedding Band at Waikiki Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


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.

Lost Gold Wedding Band at Shark’s Cove North Shore…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when I got a call from Ash who was on her Honeymoon from Queensland, Australia. While at Shark’s Cove her husband Patrick gave her his gold wedding band to hold while he was in the water. As Ash was walking ashore with the ring a wave startled her and she dropped the ring. It fell in the sand between coral outcroppings and disappeared. She & Patrick looked with another couple for the ring but it wasn’t to be found. The next day Ash found « the ring finders » and gave me a call. Since from my workplace at Pearl Harbor I’m halfway there I told Ash I’d leave soon and be there by about 2PM. We met at the Foodland grocery store and after finding parking walked down to the beach together. After walking through the scenario of what happened in the water I started my search. Many coral chunks were in the search area and I did my best to look all around them. I found about 6 or 7 junk targets but no ring. Then as I was once again pushing my detector between the coral outcroppings I got a really nice low tone. I started to scoop but the coral was solid underneath the sand and my scoop couldn’t reach the target. I tried different angles and finally the target broke free and the surge of water pushed it towards me and away from between the coral. I finally got a good scoop and there was Patrick’s Gold Wedding Band. Ash & Patrick were watching the whole time and were extremely relieved when I came up with his ring. Another Honeymoon saved. Aloha to Patrick & Ash!

Lost Platinum Diamonds & Sapphires Engagement and Wedding Rings at Ala Moana Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when I got a Ring Finders email request to look for Tiffany’s Platinum Diamonds & Sapphires Engagement and Wedding rings in the sand at Ala Moana Beach. She and her husband reside in Oakland California and were visiting Hawaii on their 3rd Wedding Anniversary. I responded to the email asking her to call me ASAP. Ala Moana is yet another heavily detected beach and time is of essence. Tiffany called and we arranged that she and her husband Lan could meet at the beach around 9 AM. I arrived a little bit early and low & behold there on the beach was a detectorist using a Tesoro Sand Shark detector. That’s a great detector for Hawaii and I was praying he hadn’t already found the rings. When Lan was driving to meet me at the beach he asked, « Is that you in the hat detecting on the beach? » I said, « No! » « But we need to hurry. » « Is he in your area? » and thankfully Lan said, « Not yet but he’s working that direction. » Lan parked I grabbed my gear and off we went. Lan explained that when Tiffany was applying sunscreen on their son she took her rings off so not to scratch him. She told Lan make sure I don’t lose my rings and with a small distraction the rings went missing. They searched in the afternoon heat for about an hour along with other beach goers that chipped in to help. But the rings were never found. So Lan drew a huge grid in the sand for me and I went to work. On the first leg I only spotted a bottle cap. On the second leg the sand was sterile and I was worried the area was already detected the evening before or earlier that morning. Then on the third leg a screaming Platinum tone came over the Excal. I told Lan I think we are in luck. First scoop and there was Tiffany’s engagement ring and one foot away there was the wedding band. Lan stood there in disbelief and said, « You are the man Joe » I said, « Hey look dead center in your grid. » Thanks for that. Tiffany was waiting at the car with her young son as we approached. Lan opened his hand and Tiffany burst into tears. I love these moments and it makes the service that much more rewarding. They each gave me a big hug and so much thanks and appreciation. I told them to just enjoy the rest of your vacation because it all will be just fine now. Aloha to Tiffany & Lan!

Lost Black Diamond Baguettes Gold Wedding Band at Kailua Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)


This ring find began when I got a phone call from Claudia who was visiting Kailua Beach from New York City. Claudia explained that she walked out into knee deep water with her husband Andrew and her ring just fell off her finger. They were on a late honeymoon and I wasn’t going to let this ruin it. I told her I was already packed so I could be there in 30-45 minutes. She said, « Great thank you so much ». En-route to Kailua Claudia texted me that another detectorist was on the beach and making her nervous. I told her I was 10 minutes away and no worries. When I arrived she met me in the parking lot. I grabbed my gear and we went down to the beach. Andrew was watching the area and I asked him to join me in the water. It was high tide and a steady surf was rolling in. See pic background. Andrew walked out to the spot he thought they were at. I literally swung the detector to the left and got a sweet gold growling tone. One quick scoop in the surf and there was Claudia’s gorgeous Black Diamond Baguettes in white gold ring glistening in my scoop. Elapsed time 10 seconds!!! I gave Claudia a thumbs up sign and started walking ashore with the ring. That was truly miraculous. I wasn’t looking forward to swinging in the surf zone. Claudia couldn’t believe her eyes and the quickness of the recovery. Wish they all could be this easy! Aloha to Claudia & Andrew!