The degree of dedication and urgency aimed at preserving the endangered Hawaiian monk seal was highlighted yesterday by the following fact:

The 300 volunteers who fanned out across the Islands to count monk seals equaled three times the number of monk seals known to exist in the state.

"There are only about 100 Hawaiian monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands," said David Schofield, regional marine mammal response coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

And the number of monk seals spotted yesterday — 43 — was the largest yet in a growing preservation program, a development that officials called encouraging.

Considering the scarcity of monk seals here, Dexter and Nancy Poon of Hawai'i Kai, along with their two children, Dylan and Anlyn, ages 8 and 6, felt they'd hit the jackpot spotting four of that limited seal population at three different locations on O'ahu. At one location near Sandy Beach, the family stood in awe within several yards of a grown seal known as Irma just as the animal was ending a sandy snooze and swimming out to sea.

"We didn't think we were going to see anything," admitted Dexter Poon, a cell biologist. "We're definitely hooked. This was exciting, and a great educational experience for the kids."

The fourth semiannual Hawaiian Monk Seal Count is a 2-year-old program aimed at tracking seals during the same times and dates twice a year on each of the main Hawaiian Islands. Another purpose of the count is to draw attention to and educate the public about the animals, because, as Schofield puts it, "monk seals are a barometer for ocean health."

"Apostles of monk seal conservation are out there dispensing information. And if a group of people sees another group of people caring for these seals, maybe they'll join the team," he said.

Folks like the Poons are able to join forces with veteran seal watchers, such as D.B. Dunlap, who is so familiar with O'ahu's monk seal population he can identify most of them by name.

"That's Buster," said Dunlap, pointing to a seal that popped up out of the water off Spitting Cave, at Portlock. "He's a 3 1/2-year-old seal born on Rabbit Island to a mother named Ewa Girl. Buster's just a rambunctious kid — like a teenage boy. He likes to interact with the younger seals."

Yesterday's preliminary count totaled 43 seals sighted on O'ahu, Moloka'i, Kaua'i, Maui, Lana'i and the Big Island.

The total number of monk seals known to exist is estimated to be fewer than 1,100, Schofield said. Of that total, 90 percent are in the protected waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands — where monk seals are declining at a rate of 4 percent a year.

By tracking monk seals twice a year with volunteer help, Schofield said the hope is that researchers can learn enough about the seals to stem the rate of decline and perhaps even begin to increase their numbers.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or learn more about the program can call 220-7802.