Autumn in the AM
Mar
19
2010

Dive No.: 1999 Dive Site: Hawaii Loa, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 45ft/13m Total Time: 36 mins Air: 200bar – 120 bar Mix: EANx36 Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 40ft/12m Water: 73F/23C Exposure: rash guard, 5mm full wet suit (busted zipper), 3mm shorty, 3mm skull cap Comments: Autumn had just arrived in Oahu after a long series of flights from Haiti. I had been roped into working the morning charter. Nothing like a 5am start time to say “aloha!” Conditions were choppy as a fierce tradewinde pressed down on Koko Marina. The air was Hawaiian cold (65F/18C) and the water wasn’t much warmer (73F/23C). We dropped anchor and explored the crater rims of Hawaii Loa. There was a nice diversity of » read more «

Birthday Turtles
Mar
19
2010

Dive No.: 1997 Dive Site: Koko Craters, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 35ft/11m Total Time: 38 mins Air: 200bar – 130 bar Mix: EANx36 Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 80ft/24m Water: 73F/23C Exposure: rash guard, 5mm full wet suit (busted zipper), 3mm shorty, 3mm skull cap Comments: Took a group of college-aged girls out on a turtle-finding expedition around Koko Craters in celebration of one girl’s 21st birthday. The turtles didn’t disappoint, as over half a dozen of the beautiful Hawaiian reptiles glided past us towards the wrasse cleaning stations. Several other turtles were sighted snuggled under the crater rim. Dive No.: 1997 Dive Site: Koko Craters, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 35ft/11m Total Time: 43 mins Air: 200bar – 120 bar » read more «

Hawaiian Monk Seal!!!
Feb
26
2010

Dive No.: 1996 Dive Site: China Walls, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 51ft/15m Total Time: 45 mins Air: 200bar – 130 bar Mix: EANx36 Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 130ft/40m Water: 75F/24C Exposure: rash guard, 5mm full wet suit (busted zipper), 3mm shorty, 3mm skull cap Comments: Easily one of the top ten diving experiences in my life—and I have nearly 2000 dives! The gentle current from the previous dive had picked up quite a bit. As descended down the gradual slope of the urchin-covered volcanic stone wall, it was evident that we were in for one heck of a ride. A trio of chill turtles was the first to greet us. They hung with the group for a while, cruising » read more «

Flatworms Everywhere
Feb
22
2010

Dive No.: 1993 Dive Site: Hawaii Loa, Oahu, Hawaii Max Depth: 40ft/12m Total Time: 26 mins Air: 200bar – 140 bar Mix: EANx36 Tank: 80cu Weight: 8lbs Visibility: 80ft/24m Water: 75F/24C Exposure: Rash Guard, 5mm full wet suit, 3mm skull cap Comments: Flatworms everywhere! In my brief time swimming the perimeter of the crater at Hawaii Loa, I spotted half a dozen beautifully colored divided flatworms. Fish life, particularly schools sergeant majors, was noticeably abundant. Several spotted eels poked their heads out from from the coral mounds surrounding the site. Unfortunately, my Open Water students were a bit too nervous to stretch out the dive, so I had to leave this flatworm-infested site prematurely. Dive No.: 1994 Dive Site: Koko » read more «