Spinner Dolphin

Spinner Dolphin Pictures, Behaviors, Video and Information (provided by the Wild Dolphin Foundation)

The Hawaiian name for dolphin is nai'a, and refers to most all dolphins found here. Hawaiian Spinner dolphins are shaped and colored somewhat differently from other species of spinner dolphins.

With 13 species of toothed dolphins (nai'a) swimming in the tepid waters of Hawaii, the most common are the Hawaiian spinner, spotted (kiko), bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins. Other often seen members of the dolphin family - although termed as whales (kohola)- are pilot and false killer whales.

Dolphins in Hawaii are commonly termed as "porpoise" by local folks, especially fishermen, who use the word "dolphin" when referring to the dolphin fish, or mahi mahi.

So called for their high, spinning leaps, spinner dolphins are known as playful, eager bow-riders throughout much of their range.

In certain areas in Hawaii, spinner dolphins are seen on an almost daily basis. Probably since the islands have formed, the Hawaiian spinner dolphins have come into nearshore daytime habitats along the west coast of Oahu. We have traced their occurrence in our area back at least 800 years.

Below are descriptions of daytime behaviors the acrobatic spinners frequently engage in. Pictures and videos were taken during our dolphin encounter tours.

Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins Stenella longirostris "Nai'a"
Size: 1.7 to 2.2 m, 75 kg.
Males slightly larger than females
Calves at birth: 77 cm
45 to 65 sharp-pointed teeth on each side of upper and lower jaw
Food: Fish (small deep-ocean species) and squid
Habitat: Mainly offshore
Range: Tropical, subtropical and warm temperate world ocean
Status: Population unknown, but common in most parts of its range. Substantial declines have occurred in the eastern tropical Pacific

To see the enlarged pictures, please click on the desired picture. Double click to open movies.

Spins
Spinner dolphins are famous for their fantastic jumps high out of the water. They can leap into the air and make as many as 7 complete spins before diving back into the ocean! Few dolphins are known to leap as high as the Spinner and except occasionally for the Clymene dolphin, no others spin. Why Do Spinner Dolphins Spin?
Note: Click on the picture to the right to see good spin video >>

Head-Over-Tail
This aerial behavior is probably the most energetic. While the spin is more like a top, this leap is a series of mid-air somersaults.
Note: Click on the picture to the right to see head over video >>

Head Slaps
This very young spinner has already learned a way to get mom's attention. Repeated head slaps send an acoustical message. Notice the pinkish underside, normally white, this could mean excitement or the product of vigorous slapping!

Tail or Peduncle Slaps
Often seen before a change in the pods behavior. Most often, immediately after we see this behavior, the pod will change its traveling direction. Tail slap video and how it looks from underwater. The dolphin is excited about his "play toy!"

Nose-Outs
Often seen before going into a rest mode, or when they seem to have interest in us. These, although still classified as aerial behaviors are the least energy taxing.

Fluke-up Dive
Dives with the tail (flukes)raised in the air seem to signaldeep dives. This a borderline aerial behavior - as it still happens above the water line, but is not very active.

Playing Behavior
Spinners often make "play-toys" of objects intheir environment. In our area, the tradewinds blow lightweight plastic grocery bags into the ocean. The dolphins drape these over their fins and pass them back and forth.
Note: Click on the picture to the right to see dolphins play video >>

Echelon Swimming
Newborn calves can be seen swimming near their mothers head for about a week before they swim nearer to her dorsal fin. This is termed as echelon swimming. Dolphins carry their young inside their womb and gestation is about 12 months for a bottlenose. The baby emerges tail first, and will suckle from its mother for up to 4 years.

Breathing
Oceanic dolphins have evolved a method of breathing without surfacing from the water. They blow a bubble when near the water surface and then quickly draw breath in when the bubble forms a bridge between the blowhole and the air, through the water. Dolphins breathe through theirblowhole located at the top of their head. A dolphin may empty and refill its lungs in less than a fifth of second. As the dolphin breathes the air leaves the blowhole at speeds of over 100mph. To sleep, a dolphin must shut down only half of its brain, as its breathing is under voluntary control.

Social Behavior
Spinner dolphin's pectoral flippers are used to steer them through the water, and they also use them to stroke one another, increasing the social bond between them. Dolphin "friends" may swim along face to face touching flippers. Dolphins that appear to be closely bonded may swim in synchrony, twisting, turning and swimming in perfect harmony together.

Whistles
Spinner Dolphins can be very noisy under and above water, click here to hear for underwater video and sound of spinner dolphins vocalizing and a signature whistle.

Snorkeling Hawaii

Snorkeling is a safe, easy, and enjoyable way to explore the world beneath the waves and is open to all ages and skill levels, from children to grandparents. Snorkeling is a great activity for the whole family. Snorkeling is certainly the easiest and least expensive way to enjoy Hawaii's underwater paradise. All you need is a mask, snorkel and fins. Many of Hawaii's top dive sites, particularly the shallow sheltered bays are just as rewarding for snorkelers as they are for divers.

There are many boat operators that offer cruises to popular snorkeling locations on each of the islands and some companies that offer kayaking snorkel trips. If you have never snorkeled before, it is a good idea to seek some instruction before you start and seek some advice on where to go snorkeling for the first time. A great place to begin is in a swimming pool, either at home before coming to Hawaii or at the hotel pool once you arrive. This way you will get used the mask and to breathing through your snorkel in a safe, controlled and confined environment.

Learning to Dive

Scuba Diving is a relaxing, action-packed and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by everybody. Evidence shows that people have been diving for thousands of years, either to hunt for food, seek out treasure, in the art of war or to simply observe the world beneath the waves. Have you always dreamed of diving down deep and exploring the oceans wonders, swimming with turtles or finding a long lost treasure? If you have you may want to consider scuba diving, but probably have some questions before you taking the plunge.

The first thing to consider before looking at dive courses is to determine how serious your interest is, will you be diving regularly or only once in a while. If you want try diving in Hawaii you do not need to get certified, as most companies offer introduction dives for first time divers. These are guided dives with a dive master who will accompany you to explore the reefs and the marine life. After taking one of these dives you will not be certified and can not go unsupervised, but this is a great way to decide if you want to continue diving and get certified.

If you decide that you do want to get certified, Hawaii is a great place to learn to dive and certification courses can usually be completed in three days. If you live in Hawaii there are also dive clubs that offer course over several weekends before completing certification. Another option for visitors with not much time is to contact a local dive company at home and complete all your class work before coming to Hawaii. Then once you arrive you only have the fun part to complete, your open water dives and you are certified.

Hawaiian Dive Sites

Hawaii has year round warm waters and has been a popular scuba dive location for years offering some of the best dive sites in the world. The islands of Hawaii each have their own personalities and characteristics and due to Hawaii's geographical isolation they each offer unique and exciting dive sites, and an abundance of endemic marine life. Select an island for more information on the available dive sites and recommended skill level required to dive at these locations.

Oahu - offers an excellent blend of dive sites that range from offshore lava formations and grottoes to plane and shipwrecks, many with large schools of colorful fish and green sea turtles.


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Maui - most of Maui's dive sites are located off the west coast and offers excellent diving for all levels of divers, including Molokini, Black Rock and Five Caves.

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Hawaii - most of the diving on the Big Island is off the leeward coast, with some excellent locations stretched all along the coast. As the coast is sheltered from the trade winds by the large mountains conditions tend to glassy with visibility around 100ft plus.

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Kauai - the Garden Island is known for its rugged and pristine diving. During the winter months large swells make the north shore generally inaccessible for diving, but during summer months and on calm days the north shore has some excellent locations.

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Ni'ihau - located 17-miles off the southwestern coast of Kauai, is home gigantic sea arches, the endangered monk seal, large pelagic fish and other rare species of fish. Ni'ihau has some amazing dive locations but is generally recommended for intermediate to advanced divers.

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Lanai - the dive sites in Lanai are best known for their lava formations which not only house a large variety of marine life but make for some amazing light effects. The lava formations range from archways, ridges, tunnels, pinnacles.

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Molokai - Along the entire South side of the island of Molokai lies the longest barrier reef in Hawaii. Seldom visited by divers, this natural sanctuary offers some of the best diving in the islands.

HawaiiScubaDiving.com

Check out HawaiiScubaDiving.com your complete one-source guide to diving in Hawaii, including dive companies, dive sites and everything else you want to know about diving in Hawaii. If you are looking to find a dive buddy, want to post a dive experience or have dive gear to sell, visit our community page.

The Hawaiian island chain is made up of 132 islands, though we generally only think of the eight main islands, Ni'ihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe and Hawaii. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and located over 2400 miles from the nearest continent has created a unique underwater environment, in fact over 25% of marine is endemic to Hawaii.

The four most visited islands are Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, they each have their own unique characteristics and dive locations. Lanai, Molokai and Ni'ihau are dived less frequently and offer some unique dives and marine life, although generally recommended for intermediate to advanced divers. If you are interested in diving off Kahoolawe you will need to charter a dive boat.

When you are not beneath the waves there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, why not try skydiving, visit a luau, go to the world's most active volcano or kick back and relax on a nice secluded beach. Visit our activity page for some suggestions of activities to participate when you are not diving and to arrange a lei greeting for when you arrive into the islands.

World's Youngest Master Scuba Diver

World's Youngest Master Scuba Diver
By Stephan Whelan on Monday Jan 5, 2004
http://www.deeperblue.net/newsfull.php/794

On 4th January 2004, Charles Jessop (12) became the youngest ever diver in the English speaking world to qualify as a Master Scuba Diver.

On his 12th birthday in January 2004, he started a rescue skills course with Jack’s Diving Locker, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This programme equips him to assist another diver in difficulty. By completing it, he fulfilled the final requirement to become a Master Scuba Diver – the highest level of qualification awarded by PADI, the world’s leading scuba certification agency, to non-professional divers.

He started snorkelling at the age of seven and soon progressed to scuba diving, though restricted by his age to swimming pools and shallow bays. He spent the morning of his tenth birthday learning scuba diving skills in a swimming pool and the afternoon taking theory exams. Two days later, after four training dives from a boat off the Kona Coast of Hawaii, he was certified as a diver. Though restricted to depths of 40 feet, he was tested to the same high standards as an adult.

After completing the course, Charles said:
"I’ve seen loads in two years – sharks in a feeding frenzy, wrecked boats, a massive whale shark, turtles and millions of fish both large and small. I’ve had 12 foot wide manta rays swim inches over my head. Scuba diving is a lot of fun – though the PADI Rescue Diver course was hard work. I’m looking forward to lots more diving now."

Scuba Diving Certification Agencies

Scuba Diving Certification Agencies
From Nicholas McLaren,Your Guide to Scuba Diving.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
http://scuba.about.com/od/professionalsocieties/a/certagencies.htm

You've probably heard of PADI, SSI, NAUI and other scuba certification agencies, but if you don't know the difference between them you're in the right place.

What Does a Certification Agency Do?
In addition to providing all levels of diver training, agencies also regulate and represent diving professionals such as divemasters and dive instructors, regulate dive operators, participate in research in dive medicine, promote marine conservation, and market diving as a sport.

What is the Difference Between the Agencies?
The main difference between agencies is where they operate. Some agencies such as BSAC and CMAS are closely related to their countries of origin, while other agencies such as PADI are truly global organizations. All of the most popular agencies offer very similar courses from beginner through to professional level and will all recognize each other's qualifications at recreational level.
They may not recognize each other's qualifications at professional level.

How to Choose an Agency?
When choosing an open water course it's important to remember that all courses are quite similar and an open water certification card from any main agency will be recognized by dive operators anywhere in the world. Your choice of agency should be dictated by which agency is active where you want to learn and which agency your preferred instructor is certified by.

Which are the Biggest Agencies?
PADI has dive centers and instructors almost everywhere people dive and is the biggest agency. Some other agencies such as SSI and NAUI are also wide spread but tend to be concentrated in particular geographical areas. Below is a brief overview of the main agencies. Of course there are many other local agencies that also provide quality training and globally recognized qualifications. You can verify any agencies credentials with the World Recreational Scuba Training Council.

PADI- The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is by far the biggest and most recognized dive certification agency in the world. It's usually possible to find a PADI instructor in any diving destination and more beginning divers are certified by PADI than by all of the other agencies combined. PADI is very active in marine conservation through their Project AWARE operation, as well as being the biggest promoter of diving through advertising and sponsorship, and is also involved in technical diving training. PADI also operates Emergency First Response, an organization providing CPR and First Aid training.

SSI- Scuba Schools International's 2000 authorized dealers and 225 Regional Centers can be found in 90 countries around the world. SSI's diver education system is very similar to PADI's system. Headquartered in Colorado, USA, SSI training facilities are in particular abundance in North America and South East Asia.

NAUI- Founded in 1959 in the USA, the National Association of Underwater Instructors is one of the biggest global certification agencies. NAUI's diver education system is quite similar to SSI and PADI. NAUI has also had a technical diving division since 1997. NAUI dive centers can be found primarily in North America.

YMCA- YMCA Scuba is a division of the United States Young Men's Christian Association. Despite the name, courses are open to both men and women. The YMCA Scuba program is over 50 years old and has a very similar structure to fellow American agencies, PADI, SSI, and NAUI. YMCA centers are found almost exclusively in the USA.

BSAC- The British Sub Aqua Club was formed in the United Kingdom and is still one of the most popular agencies there. It is also possible to find BSAC training facilities in other countries, particularly those that are frequented by British divers. Known for having very high standards of training, BSAC was always known for requiring extreme levels of training to achieve certification. In recent years BSAC has implemented courses that have bought it into line with other agencies training requirements.

CMAS- Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques is the world's oldest scuba certification agency. Originally founded in Brussels, Belgium, CMAS is now headquartered in Rome, Italy. CMAS has quite a different rating system than other agencies that is based on star levels. CMAS can be found in many countries around the world but is primarily active in Europe.

PADI open water diver video

Recently I watched an official PADI (free) DVD on becoming an Open Water Diver. It discussed the basic principles of beginner diving, which were educational, 11 sections on special types of diving that were also informative to find an area of interest, and a video highlighting two people’s experiences with diving. I felt it gave a good educational base of what an Open Water Diver will need to know, it demonstrated the practice of beginner principles, and generated excitement over scuba diving. Here are the main things I learned:

Buoyancy- water buoys up an object with a force equal to the weight of the water the object displaces.
Positively buoyant- If an object weighs less than the water it displaces, it floats.
Negatively buoyant- An object weighs more than the water it displaces, it sinks
Neutrally buoyant- An object neither floats nor sinks.
You control your buoyancy with your BCD (Buoyancy Control Device).

Air pressure is the air’s weight caused by gravity holding the atmosphere against the earth.

Depth, Pressure, Air volume, Air density, Surface vol. equiv.
0m/ 0ft, 1 bar /ata, 1, x1, x1
10m/ 33ft, 2 bar / ata, 1/2, x2, x2
20m/ 66ft, 3 bar / ata, 1/3, x3, x3
30m/ 99ft, 4 bar / ata, 1/4, x4, x4

Equalize pressure frequently as you descend.
Breathe continuously and NEVER hold your breath while ascending or descending.
When air compresses under pressure, it becomes denser.
Scuba gear supplies air to you at the surrounding pressure, so at 20m you use your air 3 times faster than at the surface. The deeper you dive, the faster you use your air.

Equipment:
MASK- find one that fits well (place the mask on your face, inhale and exhale through your nose and it should suction to your face comfortably). When you get it home, gently scour the inside of your mask with a low abrasion cleaner or toothpaste. If you don’t, you won’t be able to defog it for diving.
SNORKEL- it allows you to rest at the surface without using tank air. It should be attached on the left side of your mask.
FINS- full foot fins are convenient and suitable for warm water diving where you don’t need additional foot protection. Most divers opt for open heeled fins with wet suit boots that provide insulation and protection. Rinse inside and outside of all gear with fresh water after all uses.

Buoyancy Control Device:
Most BCDs are jacket style that include a large inflation/ deflation hose, a low-pressure inflator mechanism, and an over pressure leak valve. Most divers prefer a weight integrated BCD so it eliminates the need for a separate weight belt.

Scuba tank and valves:
Yoke valves- most common. Regular attaches to a Yoke assembly.
DIN valves- Regulator screws into the valve. It handles somewhat higher pressures.
Valves should open and close smoothly. They all require an “o-ring” to seal water out. Never drain the cylinder completely; always leave a few bar / a couple hundred PSI to keep moisture and contaminates from entering.

Regulator:
SPG- Submersible Pressure Gauge. This tells you how much air you have during a dive.

Confined water- dive 1:
Assembling scuba equipment
Adjustments and gearing up
Breathing underwater
Regulator clearing
Regulator recovery
Mask clearing
Swimming underwater
Equalization and underwater swimming
Managing your air
Alternate air source
Extra second stage
Alternate inflator regulator
Ascending
Exiting the water
Equipment disassembly and care

UP COMING FIELD STUDIES

By Leda A. Cunningham, Executive Director

Greetings from REEF HQ! Conservation science is in sharp focus here at REEF, from an expanded Grouper Moon Project to new uses of REEF data in the Channel Islands. REEF is making giant strides in the Florida Keys community with a successful For the Love of the Sea benefit event, upcoming citizen science panel discussions and the recognition of two invaluable volunteers by a prominent community foundation. If you're looking for travel opportunities, consider jumping on one of the 4 spots just released on the Turks and Caicos Field Survey, April 19-26, or joining the Sea of Cortez Field Survey October 5-12. Educators can apply to join these or other REEF Field Survey teams through a special scholarship. Please read on . . .

Beginning scuba- Where to start

So… wondering where to start? How about the beginning! Scuba divers dive in a variety of places from the obvious: oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, quarries, waterways, canals, to the more obscure: mines, springs, abandoned oilrigs, and even former missile silos. Scuba diving is a year-round sport though if you’re further north, winters could bring challenges such as cold water and ice diving, which require special training. Commercial divers typically work for contractors, building and maintaining underwater structures, conducting surveys and inspections, operate complex remote operated vehicles (ROVs), and life-support systems; hyperbaric first aid and emergency medical care.

There is a progression to diving certifications and two primary governing bodies NAUI and PADI, though SDI, TDI, WASI, and NASE are also out there. There are many special certifications you can receive along the way of both NAUI's and PADI's paths. Each level requires varying numbers of dives you must successfully complete, and some coursework as well.

NAUI:
1. Skin diver
2. Scuba diver
3. Advanced scuba diver
4. Master scuba diver
5. Leadership certifications

• Divemaster
• Skin diving Instructor
• Assistant Instructor

6. NAUI scuba Instructor


PADI:
1. Open water diver- you must be 15 years old. Ages 12-14 (NAUI) and 10-14 (PADI) can receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification
2. Advanced open water diver
3. Rescue diver
4. Master scuba diver OR Divemaster (which can lead to Course Director)

The Nature Conservancy

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/hawaii/


Together with our members and conservation partners, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 200,000 acres of critical natural lands in Hawai‘i.


Remember when "environmentalist" meant…recycling? It's not so simple anymore. Being an environmentalist today calls for a whole new level of greener thinking — from what you choose at the grocery store to how you commute to work every day. So check out these eco-friendly tips from Nature Conservancy staff and leading environment bloggers on how to make personal, science-based choices to help save the planet.

Hawaii's Birds

Hawaii's Birds



`Akialoa



One of the birds whose song is no longer heard in the forests of Kaua`i is the Kaua`i `akialoa. While considered numerous in the 1890s, the population started declining soon thereafter. Despite intensive searches and rumors that the Kaua`i `akialoa may still persist, no confirmed sightings have been made since 1965. Some naturalists retain hope that survivors may still exist in remote tracts of intact native forest.

Threats:
The `akialoa's habit of frequenting forest edges and low elevations may have exposed them to introduced diseases, starting their decline toward extinction.







Hawaiian Hawk ('io)


To ancient Hawaiians, the 'io was a royal figure: strong and aggressive, but also graceful and stately, flying silently high above the earth. The Hawaiian saying "kaha ka 'io i ka malie" translates as "the hawk stands out in the calm skies," and is used to denote admiration for a person who stands out in a crowd because of their appearance or charisma. The palace of the Hawaiian monarchy in Honolulu was named 'Iolani, "Exalted Hawk," which reflects this long-standing symbolism.

Survival:
The 'io has been able to persist because it can thrive in a variety of habitats. It has learned to hunt the rodents that have been introduced into the ecosystem, thus augmenting its ancient diet of forest birds. As a top predator, the presence of 'io in the forests of Kona is also an indication that the system which supports it is still relatively intact. In ecological systems, when the underpinnings are damaged, the top predators are often the first to be affected. In the forests of Kapu'a in South Kona, 'io still build their nests in strong 'ōhi'a trees, calling out their existence for all to hear.






Kaua`i Thrush (Puaiohi)


The puaiohi, or small Kaua`i thrush, is found only on the island of Kaua`i. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the puaiohi is considered to be critically vulnerable to global extinction. It is restricted to the high elevation `ōhi`a forest in the Alaka`i Wilderness. Two decades ago, the Hawai`i Forest Bird Survey estimated the population at merely two to three dozen.

Threats:
The following must be controlled if the puaiohi is to survive:

Spread of alien plants into the Alaka`i Wilderness
Proliferation of goats and pigs
Predation by small mammals such as rats






Maui Parrotbill (kikekoa)


The Maui parrotbill is one of Hawaii's rarest birds. Living in the remote mountains of East Maui, it has a rich olive green body with a yellow chest. The head, with a bright yellow band just above the eye, is masked in dark olive. The most distinctive feature of the bird is its strong, hooked parrot-like bill, used for vigorous prying of chunks of koa bark, or snapping straight through strong twigs of understory shrubs in search of its major food: native beetles boring through the wood. The force of the jaws working the bill is enormous relative to the "songbird" size of the Maui parrotbill, and sometimes you can hear the crunching and snapping of the twigs and branches as the bird works its way through the understory.

Threats:
The Maui parrotbill's survival is threatened by:

habitat destruction by pigs
introduced predators, especially rats
avian diseases spread by mosquitoes
Today, while the parrotbill is restricted to the wet forests of East Maui, it seems to be holding its own, benefiting from the healthy regrowth of understory shrubs following a decade of feral pig control in Waikamoi and adjacent watershed lands.




`O`u


`O`u is one of Hawai'i's rarest birds. It once inhabited the islands of Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Maui, and Hawai`i. Today, it can only be found on the islands of Kaua`i and Hawai`i, where it resides in the upper canopy of `ohi`a forests. On Kaua`i, the few remaining individuals live at the 3-5,000 foot elevation in the Alaka`i Wilderness.

Threats:
Survival of the `o`u is threatened by:

Habitat destruction
Introduced predators
Avian diseases, such as malaria




Pueo


The Pueo and the Hawaiian Hawk are the only two extant native birds of prey native to the Hawaiian Islands. The pueo is a subspecies of the North American short-eared owl, and is considered by many scientists to be a relatively recent natural arrival to Hawai'i.it is celebrated as an `aumakua (ancestral spirit) by many Hawaiians.

Kauai Z-Tourz

Kauai Z-Tourz is dedicated to providing the best raft and snorkeling tour available on Kauai. Aboard our custom built Rigid-Hull Zodia Raft, guests are treated to a tour that is personalized, educational, interesting and adventurous. Guests are given marine as well as cultural narration and have the opportunity to snorkel with hundreds of species of tropical fish as well as the Green Sea Turtles. We also offer dolphin-watching year round and whale watching December through May.

We are truly a specialized boat tour available on Kauai. We are the only boat tour with the emphasis on snorkeling and marine life watching and interaction. Our personalized attention to guests, guided tour in the water, and commitment to education and protecting the marine environment are components we are very proud to feature. As examples of this, we DO NOT allow or promote fish feeding on our tours and we DO NOT ?throw anchor? in any of our selected sights, since both cause damage to the reef environment and its inhabitants.

As a company we are dedicated to making each tour a custom adventure for the guest and giving them a truly Hawaiian experience using ancient Hawaiian place names and knowledge being passed on from our captain and crew.

All of this will be shared with the spirit of Aloha!


10% DICOUNT ON ALL WEB-SITE RESERVATIONS! CONTACT THEM TODAY!


1-808-742-7422 or Toll-Free: 1-888-998-6879 (1-888-9ZTOURZ)

MODIFIED BLOG

Today i added acouple elements to the page..

I added a clock in the right corner of the blog page and below i enter a stat counter to my page on who is where and what country that person is from who reads the blog, though it is new.. It will take some time to build up new stats.. I was tired of logging in see the 9000+ month visitors so i am seeing how many views i get a day from this point on.

HOW MUCH DAMAGE HAS HUMAN FISHING DONE

HOW MUCH DAMAGE HAS HUMAN FISHING DONE TO THE OCEAN? We thought we could fish forever, because the sea was a limitless protein mine. But dawning now is a realization that we were wrong about that. But how naive were we? And what price will be paid? Ocean life is dying back in unexpected ways: although there are fewer fish and other sea animals, more of them are starving, while waves of 'sickness' spread as primitive microbes gain the upper hand. Symptoms include spreading 'dead zones,' harmful algae blooms and a diminished presence of sea animal life in general. Is fishing implicated in all of this?


WANNA KNOW MORE?

http://www.fisherycrisis.com/

Marine Plants of Hawai'i

Marine Plants of Hawai'i
Order Siphonocladales


Dictyosphaeria cavernosa


Description: commonly known as the "Green Bubble Alga" due to the large round cells. When small the thallus is a hollow sphere, when larger the sphere may burst becoming convoluted and cup shaped. The seaweed is grass green in color and can form extensive mats over the reefs surface
Size: 1-10cm thick.
Habitat:


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Dictyosphaeria versluysii

Description: has bubble-like cells, but is completely solid in middle and always remains rounded. Grass green in color, but sometimes bluish-green in color.
Size: 1-2 cm high and 1-5 cm wide.
Habitat: commonly found on reef flats and tidepools.
Photograph: Richardson's Beach Park, Hilo Hawai'i. 1996

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Microdictyon japonicum
Description: M. japonicum is a single flattened blade consisting of a meshwork of fine connecting branches. It is grass-green in color.
Size: from 1 to 6cm wide and 1 to 4 cm high.
Habitat: low intertidal areas of rocky coastlines, on flat reefs, and in between the branches of corals at deeper depths.

Marine Life of Hawai'i

Marine Life of Hawai'i
Glossary of Technical Terms


CALYX (plural, CALICES): depression that houses the polyp

COENOSTEUM: common surface of corallum between calices

COLUMELLA: central structure of the calyx formed by fusion of the septa

CORALLUM (plural, CORALLA): skeleton of entire coral colony

CORALLITE: skeleton produced by an individual polyp

COSTA (plural, COSTAE): extensions of the septa outside the calyx unto the coenosteum

PAPILLAE: rounded nipple-like projections covering the coenosteum; found in Montipora

THECA: wall of corallite

SEPTUM (plural, SEPTA): : skeletal plates that project into the calyx from the theca; may be subdivide into primary, secondary, and tertiary septa

VERRUCAE: small cylindrical projections arising from the corallum that contain calices; found in Pocillopora

Sea Life Park Hawaii

At Sea Life Park, Hawaii's marine life comes alive in a dazzling display that will entertain and delight. Located just 15 miles from Waikiki on Oahu's beautiful and scenic Makapuu Point, Sea Life Park is a world-class marine attraction perched between the majestic Koolau Mountain Range and breathtaking Makapuu Beach. See dolphins dance, sea lions sing, and penguins perform in this magical place by the sea.

Come and explore our entertaining and educational attractions!.


Get up close and personal with a fantastic array of marine life and make amazing discoveries about the inhabitants of our aquatic world. You can swim with dolphins, come face to face with Sea Lions, play like a pirate or just kick back and watch our thrilling animal shows.

Stay dry or get wet, it's up to you but one thing's for sure - learning's never been so much fun!.


Park schedule: Daily from 10:30 to 17:00 hrs


A once in a lifetime chance to participate in a very special program with dolphins. You will enjoy a thrilling Belly-ride, unforgettable Kiss and free time!

The Dolphin Adventure is a once in a lifetime chance to participate in a very special program with dolphins. After a short orientation, guests will enjoy 30 minutes of dolphin fun! Participants will touch the dolphin and pose for a big KISS, perform various close contact behaviors and you will have a chance to view the dolphin underwater all while a trainer educates you about these amazing animals.


Different Activities:

Dolphin Adventure
Dolphin Aloha
Dolphin Encounter
Dolphin Royal Swim
Hawaiian Ray Encounter
Sea Life Luau
Sea Lion Discovery
Sea Trek Adventure





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Getting your feet wet- First time scuba

By: Amanda W. (Scuba Junkie)
Life of a beginner scuba queen
2/6/08


Being from Iowa, you may not consider scuba diving an option for me. That is, unless you don't know where Iowa is or that we're the land of corn. Not exactly teeming with fantastic vacation dive spots that are flocked with tourists. I want to share my thoughts and experiences as I go through the process of learning to scuba dive.

My hope is that fellow novices can learn from my stories, or maybe more advanced divers to gain an understanding of beginners. No matter the reason for your interest in scuba, it has brought you to this point. Some background on myself is that I do not like being in a bathing suit, am not used to being in water, dislike emerging my face in water, and have a fear of drowning. With that said, through the encouragement and passion of a friend, I am preparing to take my first steps toward becoming an Open Water Diver.

I personally had my first experience with snorkeling in April 2007 in Nassau, Bahamas while on vacation. After the first 15 minutes in the water of thinking I was going to drown, I began to relax and focus more on my desire to see the beauty beneath me. I had to practice at breathing through the snorkel underwater, and let me tell you it is a strange feeling to see below and continue breathing. My friend and I had $10 underwater cameras, but the pictures could not do justice for what we could see with our own eyes. I was a bit disappointed in the coral to be honest, but I really had nothing to compare it to. After all, I went for the experience, and the fish didn't disappoint.

With Scuba Jay's prompting I began to consider trying scuba, though after almost hyperventilating with just snorkeling I had my reservations. We began with hearing stories and watching videos on YouTube and learning of different types and purposes of diving- wreck/ excavation diving, underwater archeology, underwater ecology, vacation diving, underwater photography, night diving, cave diving, ice diving, rescue diving, search and recovery diving, and for academic or research purposes. For me, I am interested in a few of the aforementioned so I recommend that if you're nervous, find one you can use as a motivator to get your feet wet. I am assured that once you start, you're hooked.



There is a progression to diving certifications and two primary governing bodies NAUI and PADI, though SDI, TDI, WASI, and NASE are also out there.
NAUI:
1. Skin diver
2. Scuba diver
3. Advanced scuba diver
4. Master scuba diver
5. Leadership certifications
· Divemaster
· Skin diving Instructor
· Assistant Instructor
6. NAUI scuba Instructor

PADI:
1. Open water diver
2. Advanced open water diver
3. Rescue diver
4. Master scuba diver OR Divemaster (which can lead to Course Director)

There are many special certifications you can receive along the way of both NAUI's and PADI's paths. Each level requires varying numbers of dives you must successfully complete, and some coursework as well.

Waimea Bay - North Shore - Oahu

Famous big wave surf break with the largest surfable waves on the North Shore. Between 4-10 foot it breaks next to the inside rocks and is considered "pinballs." It starts breaking on the outside boil in the middle of the bay around 10-12 foot, but big wave veterans don't consider Waimea to be "real" until its 18-20 feet, and waves of up to 25-30 foot have been ridden at "The Bay."


There are about 5 different webcams these days in the church above the bay.

View from the mountain above the Valley.

There is a buoy located about a mile outside of the bay, it is used to predict really big waves coming through, or current conditions.

Medium Surf skill set required! Daughter and I surfered these waves three-four different times, peaking 15-20 foot waves on an average day making the ride little complicated for beginners.

Pipeline - North Shore - Oahu

This is how you might feel your first time out at pipe.

Breaking close to the beach and visible just towards Kaena Point next to Ehukai Beach Park is the "Pipeline" reef. Usually pipeline is the hollowest, biggest barrel on the North Shore. Pipeline is nearly always extremely crowded, and for good reason, no place else breaks like it.


The biggest barrel in the world at times, and one of the absolute best waves on the north shore. For sheer adrenaline, power, beauty and danger, Pipeline has no equal.

Pipeline's famous lefts break best on a west or northwest swell, the north lines tend to make it close out. The is where the really big barrels are.

The right at Pipeline, or Backdoor Pipeline, can deliver a sometimes longer, faster barrel than pipeline itself, although there is no channel back out, like pipeline has.

The drop at Pipeline is almost always late, and critical, with the wave jacking up much bigger by the time you get to the bottom. Wave selection can be key because not every wave is makeable.

When the swell gets over 6-8 feet, pipeline starts breaking from the second and third reef, allowing a easier take-off at times, which gives the rider time to set-up for when it hits the first reef and starts to barrel.

Pipe is not a place for beginners, with a defined pecking order when it gets really good.

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Hawaii Reef Divers/Scuba Jay recommends this operator!

Diving Molokai

Very few visitors to Hawaii have the opportunity to explore this natural sanctuary, which offers some of the best diving in the Islands. Pristine waters that team with wildlife including several species of rare fish and coral, green sea turtles, rays, several types of sharks and colorful reef fish abound. Dive locations are chosen the day of the tour based on the best possible dive conditions and may include the mysterious Moku Ho'oniki or the famous backside of Molokai.

THERE IS MANY QUALIFIED OPERATORS

MauiDivers
ReefPirates
Hawaii Reef Divers
Pacific Paradise Divers
Kona Honu Divers
Bubbles Below Scuba
Seasport Divers

Hawaii Dolphin Swim & Snorkel

Come and spend the afternoon with the amazing crew of the Kaaihue Eater of the Dead as they take you snorkeling off the west coast of O'ahu! Before embarking on your adventure, you will be treated to either a delicious continental breakfast of Kona coffee, hot tea, cocoa and donuts for the morning tour, or a light midday snack of soda, snacks and fruit for the afternoon tour.After boarding the vessel, you will go for a short 10-minute cruise up the coastline where, if conditions permit, you will have the opportunity to swim with Nai'a, the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. These beautiful marine mammals were loved, respected and protected by the ancient Hawaiian people. Kaaihue Brothers Adventures crew continue to honor that tradition and, if the conditions permit, they will allow you to passively swim among them, but there is a very strict no-touching and no loud and disruptive behavior policy. We will feed you to the sharks!

Following your swim with the dolphins, this three hour tour continues with snorkeling in beautiful live coral gardens with schools of brilliantly colored reef fishes and also swimming with another member of the ocean family, the Honu or Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles of "turtle town". You'll be amazed and awed by the abundant sea life in this pristine natural environment.

As you head back to shore, just sit back and relax because Kaaihue Brothers will also provide you with a light lunch!


The Boats:

The 37-foot Threaser-built Kaaihue Eater of the Dead offers one of the best rides on Hawaii waters! It's 478-HP engine allows exceptionally high-speed rides at up to 22-knots and it also has comfortable ocean side seating for up to 35-passengers, a powerful engine and an onboard restroom.


The Maui Adventure is a 71-foot RIB (rigged inflatable boat) vessel that can carry 90passengers for a fun-filled day of snorkeling and dolphin watching. You will be seated comfortably on the boat as the three powerful 600-HP engines propel the vessel at 29-knots over the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean. There is plenty of comfortable center seating and an onboard restroom as well.




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The Best Snorkeling Beach

The Best Snorkeling Beach

check this out

People of Hawaii

The people of Hawaii can be described as racially diversified, though the population of the mainland U.S. is beginning to appear so too. However, though the racial make-up of the rest of the U.S. seem to be predominately Caucasians, Blacks and Hispanics and a minority of Asians, in Hawaii, is seems more to be East Asians, Southeast Asians, Hawaiians and other Polynesians, Caucasians including Hispanics and Blacks. Also significant are the people of mixed racial background of the above mentioned races. Maybe some of the photos can do justice to what I’m trying to describe. It was taken during a parade to honor the University of Hawaii Football team that won the WAC Championship, but also included other UH teams and Local High School teams.


The photos featured here are of a small Southeast Corner of the Island of Oahu which includes the Kokohead-Makapuu area and the district of Waimanalo. The landscape is varied, in parts dry, rugged yet very beautiful. For those who may be thinking where they can go to spend a day or even part of the day, this section may be the answer. If you just want to relax and go sightseeing and don’t want to




View from Makapuu Lighthouse Hike.

expend too much energy and time, this is the place. If you want to sightsee, have lots of energy and time to spare this is also the place for you.

As most hotels are located in Waikiki, what the visitor needs to do is just drive East on the main highway called Kalakaua Ave. He’ll end up on Diamond Head Rd. which will then take him around Diamond Head and on to Kahala and the Residential Areas of East Honolulu for about another 5 miles. When he’s at the base of Kokohead, he has arrived.

Just about a few feet is the entrance to World famous Hanauma Bay, shown in the movie Blue Hawaii. It is a must stop for everyone, as the view from the top and the beach below is breathtaking. Also highly recommended is some snorkeling to experience the magic of the underwater sea-life there.

After leaving this paradise, you may (or may not) want to visit the Kokohead Botanical Gardens located a few more hundred feet away within the Kokohead Crater. However, it can be a hot dusty walk, so it’s not for everyone. It’s has many Cactus and other plants.




Another Hiking View
a few more hundred feet is the Blow Hole Lookout, which one can see the island, vaguely, of Molokai, on a clear day. If you’re lucky the spouting Blow Hole will put on a wonderful geyser show.

Proceeding on, you may see a sign saying “Ka Iwi”. Actually is better known as the starting point for the 45 minute hike up an old service road to the Makapuu Lighthouse. The view going up is quite spectacular as well as the finale at the end, of Rabbit Island and the coast of Makapuu and Waimanalo. This is an option for those with energy and time, but also highly recommended (by me). If it’s early in the year, you may see whales. However, if you’re not the energetic type, as you drive a few more feet pass this sign, you will see a lookout point, that gives you also a pretty good view of Rabbit Island and the Coast, sans the sweating.

As you continue on, you pass though Waimanalo, know for it’s beautiful beaches and view of the rugged Koolau mountain ranges. Most of the homes belong to Native Hawaiian homesteaders. However, deeper into the valley towards the mountain
Rabbit Island.

Looks like a whale, but called Rabbit Island because of the abundance of rabbits there. Also a Bird Sanctuary.range, you see more agricultural farms especially flower nurseries. Just by the lush tropical greenery that surrounds you, you can understand why.

Road to Hana is apparently a must on Maui

The road to Hana is apparently a must on Maui. There is no room for passing the car in front of you. Even if there was, passing one car would only put you behind the next one. The idea of going to Hana is a popular one. The scenery from the road is spectacular. The word "Paradise" comes to mind. Imagine what this Hana place must be like!

It takes a great while to drive there on the crowded and curvy roads. Eventually you get there though, to what feels like the end of the world, the last outpost before the vast ocean. It's not a big city. It's not even a town. It hardly even qualifies as a village. Some houses. Some hotels. A post office. A souvenir shop. That's all, folks! Feels like the most isolated place on earth. Fortunately, the road back is equally spectacular driving the opposite direction...

Beach at Hanauma Bay

The beach at Hanauma Bay has been a popular gathering spot... (Tom Wharton/The Salt Lake Tribune )«1»HANAUMA BAY, Hawaii - Few people who snorkel ever forget their first experience with a mask and fins in tropical waters.

Mine came in the late 1980s during my first trip to Hawaii. Famed Utah sportscaster Paul James told me about a reserve where fishing was not allowed called Hanauma Bay (ha-NOW-ma) and said it was one of the best things to do near Honolulu.
Another friend who lived there concurred. So, with rented snorkel gear and bags of frozen string beans and peas, we headed to the beautiful half-moon-shaped bay that is a water-covered dormant volcano crater filled with turquoise water, coral reefs and thousands of tropical fish.

It was, indeed, an amazing experience. Colorful fish of all shapes and sizes swarmed us, eating the green beans out of our bathing trunks or hands. I had never seen anything like it.

We also walked to a famous blow hole called the Toilet Bowl and marveled while watching locals swim into a lava tube and then come out the other side, a claustrophobic experience I would never attempt.

What we didn't think about was the fact that many of the things the millions of annual visitors to Hanauma Bay were doing - feeding the fish, stepping on coral and eroding the sides of hills - were damaging this precious site.

Making a return visit last August, we found a far different place. If the parking lot is full, no more cars allowed. Visitors must see a video and hear interpreters talk about how to protect the park. The beach is far less crowded, and trails on each side of the volcano have been closed for safety reasons.

"This has been a major control measure to prevent overcrowding on the beach," explained Alan Hong, Hanauma Bay manager. "When we had over 3 million visitors a year with no restrictions, it caused a lot of environmental impact. We're trying to reduce the impact by reducing the number of people. Those who come are exposed to an orientation program to know what they can do to minimize the impact to our reef. We have reduced the number of visitors to a million a year on the beach."

In fact, the history of the bay's management is replete with management practices that have changed its ecology and encouraged its human use in different ways.
According to the park Web site, www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/facility/hanaumabay

, some of the earliest development on the site came in the 1890s, when an old photo shows a building that was probably used by Hawaiian royalty. In 1928, the city and county of Honolulu established Koko Head Regional Park, which included Hanauma Bay, by buying it for $1 from the estate of Bernice Bishop with a deed restricting its use to public parks and rights of way.

A new paved road came in 1931, and the area was protected with barbed wire after Pearl Harbor was bombed. A road to the beach was built in 1950 along with restrooms and showers. An easement for an undersea trans-Pacific telephone cable allowed a 200-foot-wide swath to be cut through the coral reef with tons of rock removed. That actually created more swimming space and created a new biological zone inside the reef for small invertebrates that fish fed upon.

But, by the 1960s, the area was overfished and few fish could be seen. According to the Web site, the Hawaii Division of Fish and Game declared the bay a Marine Life Conservation District, ending the taking of marine life, shells, coral, rocks and sand.

That led to the Hanauma Bay I experienced in the 1980s but also to overcrowding. The nature center was completed in 2002 and the increased management has, according to Hong, reduced visitation.

"There are in the neighborhood of 200 marine animals in the bay, but the fish are what people focus on," said Hong. "You will probably see maybe two different species when you go snorkeling, but the typical snorkeler will remember the most colorful, biggest ones that swam right in front of them."

Despite the restrictions, Hanauma Bay remains one of Honolulu's biggest attractions. If you are staying in Waikiki, you would do well to sign up for one of the commercial bus tours as opposed to driving a car; parking is limited.

Hong said the busiest times of year are when school is out: June, July and August, March and April spring breaks and the Christmas holiday season.
---
* TOM WHARTON can be contacted at wharton@sltrib.com. His phone number is 801-257-8909. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com.


Hanauma Bay basics
* THE BAY is 10 miles east of Waikiki on the Kalaniana'ole Highway.
* NO PETS, alcoholic beverages, fishing, feeding fish or removing or harming marine life are allowed.
* CALL 808-396-4229 for a recorded message with all current fees, times and condition.
* ENTRY FEE is $1 per car and $5 per person 13 years or older.
* VISITORS ARE REQUIRED to watch an educational film before going to the beach.
* LIFEGUARDS are available.
* THERE ARE picnic facilities with tables, a concession stand, restÂrooms, showers, phones, snorkel, mask and fin rental, locker rental and a gift shop.
* THE BEACH is wheelchair accessible via shuttle bus or trolley.



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Sunset

Sunset
Wai'oli Beach Park
Hanalei Bay
Kauai, Hawaii

Located on the shore of Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai, Waioli Beach Park can be reached from the end of either Hee Road or Amaama Road off Kuhio Highway (Route 560). The mid-point of Hanalei Bay's 2-mile-long beach, Waioli is a popular spot among expert surfers and the major contest site on the North Shore of Kauai. There are dangerous water conditions, however, during periods of high surf.



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Sightseeing Tips for a First Time Visitor

The great thing about Hawaii is that each island is different from all of the others. Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands and thus has the densest rain forests, the deepest canyons and the most stunning sea cliffs. It is nicknamed the Garden Isle and you'll see amazing flowers almost everywhere. Kauai is also home to one of the wettest spots on earth - Mt. Waialeale which brings me to my first recommended activity for a first time visitor.

If you ever take a helicopter ride in Hawaii, do so on Kauai. The majority of the most beautiful places, waterfalls, sea cliffs, and Mountain Waialeale itself can only be seen from the air. I recommend Jack Harter Helicopters but there are many other good choices. Jack Harter offers several different tours, but the best buy for your money is their 90 minute tour designed for serious photographers. It only runs once a day, so reservations ahead of time are a key. Helicopter tours won't fly in questionable weather. It's not safe and customers would not get their money's worth. Reserve your flight for early in your visit so that if it gets cancelled due to weather, you can reschedule.

See Kauai from the Sea

Kauai has some of the most stunning sea cliffs in the world. Don't miss you chance to see them from the water. From November through April you will even have the chance to see Hawaii's winter visitors, the humpback whales. The proprieter that almost always receives positive reviews is Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures. They run both sailing and rafting expeditions along the Na Pali Coast. They also sail from Port Allen Harbor on the south shore which is much more convenient for most visitors than one of thew few remaining operators that leave from Hanalei on the North Shore.

Now that we've covered seeing Kauai from the air and from the sea, there are a couple of things that are "must-sees" by land.

See Kauai from the Land

The first thing that is a must is a trip up to the Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park. You can get a good feel for this trip with our Western Kauai Photo Gallery. If you're staying in the Poipu area, you'll have a relatively short drive to Waimea and the trip up to the Waimea Canyon.

This is, however, another trip that you'll want to make when the weather is clear over that part of the island, since clouds tend to obscure the views of the canyon and the coast. Mark Twain called the Waimea Canyon the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and it is amazing. The colors are actually much better than you'll see at the Grand Canyon. You'll want to drive all the way to the end of the road in Koke'e State Park and at the Pu'u o Kila Lookout over the Kalalau Valley. This is where the Na Pali Trail begins and you can actually walk a bit along the trail. (Just don't go as far as the swamp, but there's really no chance of that!) This trip can be done in half a day. The best views into the Waimea Canyon are in the early afternoon when the sun is shining on the canyon's eastern walls.

A full day trip that you should take is the drive to Kauai's North Shore. There is so much along the way. Heading north on Highway 56 from Lihue you'll pass the Wailua River. (A trip down the Wailua River is a nice half day trip that you can consider on another day. Most first time visitors elect to take Smith's Wailua River Cruise to the Fern Grotto.) When heading to the North Shore, however, you really only have time for a brief stop, so make a left off Highway 56 onto Kuamo'o Road at the old Coco Palms Resort where Blue Hawaii was filmed. A bit up the road you can see Opaekaa Falls and a great overlook of the Wailua River Valley. From here you'll double back to Highway 56 and continue north.

We have a concise summary of a trip to Kauai's North Shore in one of our Hawaii Diaries. You can also get a good feel from two of our other photo galleries, our Eastern Kauai Photo Gallery and our North Shore Kauai Photo Galleries.

Obviously, there's a lot more to Kauai than what I've mentioned here, but these are our picks for a first time visitor. There are two really excellent Kauai Guidebooks. They are the first two listed on our Top Picks page of Kauai Guidebooks. Also, when you arrive at the airport be sure to pick up the free publication called 101 Things to Do on Kauai. It has some great ideas and some useful ads for discount activities and dining.


KEYWORDS:

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Hawaii Prepares for an Uncertain Future

The place of America's first Day of Infamy braces for the challenges ahead in the aftermath of the attack on America.

Already suffering from a downturn in visitors due to the weakened world economy, Hawaii is once again bracing for what will likely be a further decline in tourism in the upcoming months.

Unlike any other state in the United States, Hawaii's number one industry, tourism, is totally dependent on the willingness of travelers to fly to the islands. If as few as five or ten percent of prospective visitors decide against air travel, Hawaii's economy is likely to suffer tremendously.

As not only a final tourist destination, but also as a major way point for air traffic bound to and from the U.S. mainland from Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, over 4000 travelers found themselves stranded in Hawaii in the hours following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Hawaii's tourist infrastructure struggled to locate accommodations for passengers and crews until such time as Hawaii's airports were reopened for air traffic. The major hotel corporations offered special rates and other assistance for stranded travelers.

Over one third of all passengers arriving at Hawaii's airports are of foreign nationality, predominantly from Canada, Japan and other nations of the Pacific Rim. Because of its role as a major border crossing, it is extremely likely that once air traffic resumes to and from the islands, intense security measures will need to be implemented and will likely remain in place indefinitely.

Security at Honolulu International Airport has generally been considered excellent. From the personal experience of this Guide (a frequent visitor to Hawaii), carry-on baggage is checked much more carefully than at many mainland airports. Many of these higher security measures were previously implemented to prevent animals, reptiles and non-native plant materials from entering the islands.

Transportation officials have already announced that once island airports are opened, only ticketed passengers will be allowed access to the terminals. Passengers who are used to arriving for flights just minutes before departure will likely need to adjust their schedules to allow for heightened security precautions. This will have the most serious effect on the hundreds of inter-island flights that are flown each day and used not only by visitors, but also by island residents commuting from island to island.

Other proposed security measures could significantly restrict carry-on baggage. Most travelers to Hawaii arrive with one or two carry-ons, often due to the personal needs of visitors making 8-10 hour flights to the islands.

While many passengers are likely to accept further security precautions and restrictions in the interest of their personal safety, others in fear of dangers of terrorism in the air will make other travel plans to destinations closer to home where air travel is not required.

Only time will tell the exact impact that the tragedy of September 11 will have on the economy and people of Hawaii. On a Sunday morning almost sixty years ago, Hawaii was the scene of the nation's first Day of Infamy. Numerous news sources are already referring to the happenings in New York and Washington as the nation's Second Day of Infamy.

The people of Hawaii and all travelers who have visited the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor share in the grief and anger of those who have suffered in the unspeakable tragedy sixty years later.


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Destroying Paradise

In the past decade or so that I have been visiting Hawaii on a regular basis two things stand out which endanger Hawaii not only for those of us who are visitors to the islands, but more importantly for the people who have made Hawaii their home for the majority of, if not their entire lives.

Vehicle traffic has become intolerable

Hawaii's infrastructure is unable to handle the demands of vehicle traffic during almost every hour of the day. On O'ahu the H1 and H2 highways are a complete bottleneck from well before sunrise until sunset. On Maui, Highway 30, the Honoapiilani Highway is frequently backed up from the tunnel to Ka'anapali.

The cost of housing has become out of the reach of most island residents as well as most potential future residents.
The median price for a family home is $550,000 on O'ahu and almost $700,000 on Maui, up over 30% in the last ten years. To better appreciate these numbers, when I was on O'ahu recently I heard a woman tell that she and her husband just finalized the purchase of a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath "fixer-upper." There were 13 other bids. The final price she paid was $650,000.

While apparently separate issues, these two items are actually quite intertwined.

During my visit I scheduled a snorkel cruise from the Waianae Boat Harbor on O'ahu's leeward (west) side. I left my lodging in Waikiki at 5:00 a.m. for the 90-minute drive. As I drove west on H1 I noted that traffic coming east on H1 from the leeward side was already bumper-to-bumper. It remained that way all the way back past Pearl Harbor.

Another day, I drove to the North Shore at around 2:00 p.m. and found myself in heavy traffic on H1 west onto H2 north until we reached the Miilani exit.

What has happened over the last decade is that housing costs in and around Honolulu have soared to levels untouchable by most island residents. Statistics show that most of these properties are being purchased by wealthy individuals from the mainland, often by residents of California seeking to escape that state's economic woes. Many of these new homebuyers are independently wealthy or retired individuals who will add little to Hawaii's economy or society other than as consumers. This same pattern holds true on Maui and to a lesser degree on the other islands.

Local residents, especially first time home buyers are forced to seek what little affordable housing exists in areas distant from their workplaces in Honolulu or Waikiki. Many are compelled to buy less desirable and often poorer quality homes on the leeward side or in central O'ahu. Many simply cannot afford any housing at all and decide to move to the mainland. Others pursue even worse solutions. Drive past any beach on leeward O'ahu at sunrise and notice how many families are living in tents on the beach. You will even see school buses picking up children at these tent villages as part of the regular routes.

Possible Solutions

Solving these problems of traffic and affordable housing will not be easy. They may even be impossible at this late date. Here are some possible solutions.
O'ahu is in desperate need of a high-speed transit system, additional bus routes and highway improvements to convey residents from outlying areas into Honolulu and Waikiki. This has been discussed for many years and may finally be moving forward. The drive to build a new mass-transit system, including a rail system, on O'ahu got a boost with a bill recently passed by the State Legislature that allows counties to add up to a half of a percentage point surcharge to the state’s 4 percent general excise tax. The proceeds of the tax surcharge will go toward transit projects.
Car and vanpools need to be made financially attractive to riders. Higher taxes need to be applied to the state's relatively low car rental costs to discourage so many visitors from renting cars for the full time they are in the islands. Most resort areas have numerous car rental agencies that will rent cars on a daily basis when needed.

A minimum one-year residency requirement should be imposed on any individual(s) seeking to purchase a home in the islands. This requirement would be waived for former residents seeking to return to the islands.

A tax structure should be established to encourage the sale of homes to Hawaii residents. A high property transfer tax should be imposed on both the buyer and seller when a property is being sold to a non-resident. Tax breaks should be available to Hawaii residents and non-residents selling property to other Hawaii inhabitants.

Traffic issues can potentially be improved. It's doubtful that without a total collapse in the economy that the current housing costs can be driven down, but they must be stabilized. Unless steps are taken soon in both areas, we will likely finally see Paradise Destroyed.


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Nature Notes

All animals have one main purpose: to survive. In general, everything about an animal relates to one of three basic drives: to eat, to escape from predators, and to have babies. When we study animals, we look at the way they are made (structures) and the way they act (behaviors). "Structures" means more than just bones and muscles. It includes shape, size, body covering (fur, feathers, or scales), and coloration. Sometimes, structures and behaviors work together to help animals survive. For instance, some baby chicks living in the Alaskan tundra have colors and markings (structures) that enable them to blend into their surroundings. They also instinctively sit absolutely still and close their eyes (behaviors) so that circling hawks or other predators can't see them.

Human Impact
We have to learn how to share the planet with animals so that we (humans) and they (wild animals) can both survive. In the past, humans have destroyed animals, plants, and whole habitats without regard for the balance of nature. Every day, we learn more about how plants and animals help humans and are important for human survival. One recent discovery, for instance, is a new clot-busting medicine used to treat people who have suffered strokes. This new medicine is made from a chemical found in the saliva of vampire bats. Who would have ever thought that an animal which has horrified people for centuries would turn out to be a lifesaver? When we build new cities, shopping malls, and freeways, we are cutting into the habitats of animals. If we destroy habitats, we destroy the animals that depend on them. Can we develop ways to manage the growth of our living areas without destroying wildlife? In the end, our own survival may depend on how well we do this.

For more information about the importance of protecting different species of wildlife, see "Biodiversity: The Fragile Web," National Geographic, February, 1999 (Vol. 195, No. 2)

Hawaii's Natural History
The Hawaiian islands hold a unique place in the natural world. Formed by volcanoes that grew from the ocean floor, the Hawaiian islands stand alone in the middle of the largest ocean in the world. They are a work in progress -- in the northwest, old islands slowly sink below the ocean, while in the southeast, a new island rises under the sea. Because they are so far from other land masses, it is hard for animals and plants to cross the vast expanse of open ocean to get to the islands. All plants and animals who lived here before people arrived came in one of three ways: by wind, wing, or water. Some were blown to the islands, some flew here or were carried by birds, and some floated or swam. All species that came to the islands changed in some way -- that is, they adapted so they could survive better. If they could not adapt, they died out. For instance, scientists have found evidence -- bones -- of bird species (and one bat species) that once lived on Hawaii but did not survive to the present.

In the days before human contact, Hawaii had few predators and little to endanger plants and animals. Over thousands of years, Hawaiian plants and animals lost their defenses. When humans did come to stay, sometime around 800 BC, they brought new plants and animals with them. These new plants and animals, hardier than native Hawaiian species, began to replace the native species. Later, when Europeans came to the island, the numbers of introduced species increased rapidly, and native species began to disappear. Today, visitors to Hawaii must travel high into the mountains to find native plants and animals. Many are seen only in museums. 95% of all known extinctions in the United States have taken place in Hawaii.

On the other hand, hope is coming from a variety of places, including one unlikely source: golf courses. Many courses in Hawaii have joined forces with the National Audubon Society to become bird sanctuaries. One golf course in Kaneohe, for example, has four endangered native birds living along its water holes: Hawaiian ducks, coots, gallinules, and stilts. At Barbers Point golf course, Kolea stand impatiently waiting for golfers to get off grassy tee boxes while groups of stilts squabble over landing space. On Kauai, golfers often have to wait for small flocks of Nene to walk off greens. Such happenings seem to show that if we just give them space, these birds will thrive.

To read more about Hawaiian natural history, look for these books:

Atlas of Hawaii (third edition), Juvik, Sonia P. and James O. Juvik, editors. (University of Hawaii Press, 1998)
By Wind, By Wave: An Introduction to Hawaii's Natural History, by David L. Eyre (The Bess Press, 2000)
Islands in a Far Sea: The Fate of Nature in Hawaii, by John L. Culliney (University of Hawaii Press, 2005)



© Marion Coste 2005. All Rights Reserved


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How polluted is Ocean Water?

How polluted is Ocean Water?


What kind of stuff is in it and why are some areas worse than others? Why are some areas dark colored black water and some are clear blue?

ANSWER?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
One of the most polluted sections of ocean in the world today is known as the Gulf Of Mexico "Dead Zone". Thanks to runoff from the Mississippi River, there is an extremely unhealthy cake of sediment and pollution in the ocean that covers an area of 22,126 square kilometres.

The majority of the pollutants that make up this particular Dead Zone are agricultural-based pollutants, eg. artificial fertilizer and animal waste. Thanks to meterological elements such as rain, the pollution makes its way into the tributaries that lead to the Mississippi, forming a big disgusting clump of waste just offshore in the Gulf.

This causes depleted oxygen levels in the water, which in turn leads to reproductive problems and ultimately death in marine wildlife.

There are currently reports of over 140 dead zones throughout the world - but as pessimistic as this sounds, the good news is that the world's previous largest dead zone in the Black Sea (over 70,000 square kilometres!!) actually cleared itself up over the course of 10 years due to a decrease in industrial waste.

I'm no ecologist so don't quote me on this - but I wouldn't think that dead zones are responsible for the darnkess of the sea water, I would have thought that had to do more with the ocean's depth and any reefs or other such natural geological occurance (ie. clear blue coloured water closer to the shore and darker black out in the deep, or in a reef-heavy area). Although I'm sure dead zones are distinguishable by satellite, I wouldn't think that *every* off-coloured part of the ocean is a polluted part.


WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Check out this website, it contains a great array of colourful animations and activities all to do with the Gulf Of Mexico Dead Zone:

http://www.smm.org/deadzone/top.html




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Pollution to the marine environment

DID YOU KNOW?

80 percent of pollution to the marine environment comes from land-based sources, such as runoff pollution. Runoff pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks and boats, plus larger sources, such as farms, ranches and forest areas.

Millions of motor vehicle engines make daily, one-drop-at-a-time "oil spills" onto roads and parking lots, which add significantly to runoff pollution.

Some water pollution actually starts as air pollution, which settles into waterways and oceans.

Dirt can be a pollutant. Top soil or silt from fields or construction sites can run off into waterways, harming fish and wildlife habitats.

Non-point source pollution, commonly called runoff pollution, can make river and ocean water unsafe for humans and wildlife. In some areas, runoff pollution is so bad that it causes beaches to be closed after rainstorms. In 1992, for example, some beaches were closed or advisories were issued against swimming about 3,000 times.

Drinking water supplies can be contaminated by polluted runoff, as can coastal waters containing valuable fish stocks. Experts think there is a link between agricultural runoff and water-borne organisms that cause lesions and death in fish. Humans who come in contact with these polluted waters and affected fish can also experience harmful symptoms.

More than one-third of the shellfish-growing waters of the United States are adversely affected by coastal pollution.

Correcting the harmful effects of runoff pollution is costly. Each year millions of dollars are spent to restore and protect areas damaged or endangered by non-point source pollutants.


The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) works with the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture and other federal and state agencies to develop ways to control runoff pollution. These agencies work together to monitor, assess and limit runoff pollution that may result naturally and by human actions.

NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program is helping to create special non-point source pollution control plans for each participating coastal state. When runoff pollution does cause problems, NOAA scientists help track down the exact causes and find solutions.


Get educated and share your knowledge!

Don't pour oil, engine fluids, cleaners, or household chemicals down storm drains or sinks.

Find approved motor oil and household chemical recycling or disposal facilities near your home, and make sure your family and friends use them.

Use lawn, garden and farm chemicals sparingly and wisely. Before spreading chemicals or fertilizer, check the weather forecast for rain so they don't wash away.

Repair automobile or boat engine leaks immediately.



Year of the Ocean Information Line: 1-888-4YOTO98

Year of the Ocean Website: www.yoto.com

NOAA's National Ocean Service
Office of Coastal Resource Management
ATTN: Non-point Pollution
1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Website: www.nos.noaa.gov/ocrm/

Call your state environmental or conservation department.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Non-point Source Control Branch
Washington, DC 20460
Website: www.epa.gov/owow/nps/index.html

Check your phone directory, or call your city or county environmental quality or sanitation department, for oil and chemical waste recycling/disposal.



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