Hawaii 2000

Hawaii -- January/February 2002 Trip

Terry and I went back to Hawaii for 2 weeks. This was my 10th trip and her 4th. Almost like home. For those that remember the last trip, where we got engaged, sorry, no wedding this time. Stay tuned, you never know with us.

We started the trip on Kauai. We hadn't been there in a while, and I had never been diving. Excellent reason to try it again. We did. And it rained. And it rained. While most islands aren't great places if it rains, Kauai has the least to do when it rains, unless you like Wal-Mart.

I dove 2 days with Bubbles Below. Good company, but their boat has this huge box in the middle taking up most of it which covers the engines. It makes the useable space on the boat rather limited. There is also no rinse tank for cameras which isn't too great. Good snacks though. Since it had rained, the shoreline was covered with a mud line, which left visibility somewhat limited. We got some good dives in, but instead of 10-15 rides, it was more like 1/2 hour. The second day was worse. Choppy seas, the a bigger mud line. I think they should have canceled, but no, they went out. Over 1 hour each way to dive sites that were barely marginal. Maybe 40 foot viz. Not fun. Lots of fish feeding. ;-) Not sure I would try them again next trip.

Next it was on to Big Island. I was supposed to dive on the rainy side in Hilo, but it was pouring now, and even the restaurants with A/C were smelling mildewy. The mudline seemed even longer and wider than Kauai. Since I hadn't paid for these dives yet, I canceled them, and we went on our way to Kona. It even was raining in Kona, but luckily, it cleared up by the time we got over there, and the rest of the trip we had nothing bu sunshine all over.

While in Kona, I ended up diving with Jack Diving Locker. I had dove with them 2 years ago, and remembered them as being pretty good. I signed up for 2 days of diving. Check-in was 8:30 AM. We then had to drive to the dock about 10 minutes away. We left around 9:10 AM. Dive sites were about 15-20 minutes away. Dive took almost 1 hour, but with 3 groups and some students on board, the boat was fairly crowded and it took maybe 1/2 hour to get everyone in the water and out of the water. We finalyl got back to the dock about 3:15 PM. This is just WAY too long for 2 tanks of diving. This was early since we were staying across the street, so I just walked home. Had I waited for their van, it would have been past 3:30 PM.

On top of that, I got a lot of condensation in my new digital camera, so wasn't very happy, and when I handed it back up after being down for 3 minutes and asking them to put it somewhere dry, they hung it for my whole dive from a tank neck. Nice, huh!?!? Needless to say, I was not happy, and tried to cancel the next day of diving. They have strict policies on 24 hours cancellations. "So you mean if I have a lousy time and think your diving stinks, I can't cancel?" Finally they said they found someone to take my spot, so I got my money back. I doubt I would try them again.

After kona/Hilo, we left for Maui which is becoming a second home for both of us. We got a condo at Ma'alaea bay where we like to stay. it worked out great, and I got 4 days of diving in with my friend Jim who lives there, and Mike, my instructor who certitified me 5 years ago. Miraculousy about the 3rd day, the camera dried out and I was able to take more pictures.

Without any more talking, here are some of the better shots with my new digital camera and U/W housing. As usual, hope you enjoy these photos!

Bullseye looking fish due to the angle

Bullseye fish