A reader of The Honolulu Advertiser identified the Hawaiian monk seal that came ashore in Waikiki on Friday as Rocky. Advertiser library photo

The Hawaiian monk seal who opted to sun herself at a Waikiki Beach last week is named Rocky.

Her identity was revealed in an e-mail to The Advertiser by D.B. Dunlap, a full-time monk seal volunteer.

According to Dunlap, Rocky was born on Mauhalepu Beach, Kaua'i, on July 31, 2000, making her approximately 6 1/2 years old.

"After she was weaned, at six weeks, on Sept. 14, 2000, she was translocated to a more isolated beach on the north shore of Kaua'i by NOAA personnel on Sept. 16, 2000." Dunlap wrote. "Nothing is documented on her thereafter, until her arrival on O'ahu."

According to Dunlap, monk seals molt annually, and Rocky is just days away from her molt. He said Rocky has her old coat on and substantial algae built up over her entire body, especially around the eyes.

"Though it is impossible to know the full scope of her travels, I can say that she routinely operates from Rabbit Island on the southeast shore of O'ahu, to as far away as the semi-isolated beaches between Barbers Point and Campbell Industrial Park, and all points in between," Dunlap wrote.

"She is actually just in traveling mode. Since late December she has been in the Barbers Point area, and was last sighted at Nimitz Beach on Jan. 22, 2007, prior to her Kaimana Beach haul out on Feb. 1, 2007, on Kaimana Beach in Waikiki.

"She undoubtedly stopped at points along the way, but was not seen, or called in to the Monk Seal Hotline (220-7802). I have no doubt that she is on her way back to Rabbit Island, and then she could very well do a circle-island tour, turn around and go back, or do an inter island trip. Only Rocky knows for sure."