Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0862.087 2008-2010Page 1 of 2 r/li elk Murashige, Laura t�D M M. From: TravelnSJ @aol.com Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 5:37 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Cc: jbburdick @verizon.net Subject: Banning of Reef Fish Collecting To All Council Members, My Name is Scott Johnson I have visited the Hawaiian Islands for over the last 20 years. The last 10 years I have spent my time going to the Islands for Scuba Diving and the last 5 years have only been going to Kona as the other Islands have become worthless for diving. This last August unfortunately will probably be my last visit to Kona area for Scuba Diving due to the lack of Marine life. The following is a discussion thread on one of the Major Scuba diving Boards I posted my trip report on and my trip report. I certainly hope you will pass some law to try to rebuild and preserve the Big Island waters. I believe Hawaii should be the jewel of United States diving. It is not! It is time for your action! Scott Johnson 26385 Arboretum Way #1704 Murrieta Ca 92563 http:_ / /www.scubaboard.com/ forums /hawaii -ohana /349949- kona- hawaii- trip- report -8 -15- thru- 8- 23- 107a.html Kona - Hawaii Trip report 8 -15 thru 8 -23 -10 I have been coming to Kona just about every couple of years since 1999 to dive. This was the first time in August I experienced 74 -77 degree water, the coolest I have experienced before was around 79 -81. Being forewarned about the cool water (after I booked the trip) I brought a 1mm fullsuit along with my normal short suit. The first dive I wore the 1mm fullsuit .... I froze! For the second dive I put the short suit over my fullsuit along with a vest and a beanie .... I was still cold ... and No I will not wear a 3mm or a 5mm ... LOU I stayed at the Seaside hotel which is a nice friendly basic hotel in Kona and I dove with Kona Honu divers. Three years ago I was told Kona Honu divers were getting a smaller boat for divers only. This was to avoid the cattle boat feeling with snorkelers etc on the larger boat. I specifically requested the smaller boat in my decision making between Big Island Divers and Kona Honu divers and they indicated that should not be a problem. Well the smaller boat was being used for instruction and the Dolphin swim. There were a couple of times we had 17 or 18 people which was 4 too many, otherwise there were around 12 people on the other dives which worked! Kona Honu is a very good operation but I did not care for a packed larger boat and I did not dive with the same quality DM's I did 3 years ago. There was one dive guide Frank who was great, unfortunately I was only able to dive with him on 3 dives. Do not get me wrong Kona Honu is good operation with good boat captains and dive guides. I had just been spoiled last time with exceptional dive guides. Ref. Tor ' D6 RSc Late 201