BJ Gone Fishing

One more day before 2009 arrives and so much to do!  Like go fishing, diving, surfing...Here University of Hawaii's superstar, BJ Itoman got some time off the basketball court to land her first Ulua on one of our Red Sea Trips.  We were diving when we heard BJ yell, "Hanapa'a" and reeled in this prize Omilu.  Notice the electric blue-green colors and how vibrate it looks.  Probably one of the most tasty fishes in the trevally family.  I hope we can catch more of these this coming year!  Weather forecasting trades for the rest of this week with a bump on the north with light winds for next week so you know where we will be:) Be safe everyone!

Hawaiian Blackout

Wow how was that Hawaiian Blackout last night?  Luckily I was home safe and sound when everything went black.  No streetlights, TV, computer,  with sirens blaring in the background.  Imagine no lights in your neighborhood not just for one day, but every night?  Well here in Fiji, and many other places in this world it's normal.  No electricity, no video games, no youtube, or internet but just plain old fun under a moonlit sky.  Here our Fijian brothers showed us how to do some firewalking on burning hot stones.  Next time the lights go out, maybe we can bring out the marshmellows and have a barbeque.  Good night...zzzz

A Christmas Wish

Wow! If you are like me, you must be asking where did 2008 go?  Has it been a year already gone by?  Well it's a wonderful life we live having the health and breath to live out our dreams each day.  I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and may your homes be filled with happiness and peace, and of course may God's love and grace shine upon you this day, Christ was born.  Here my nephew Kai stoked on life with his new toys Santa brought him for Christmas.  Hey wait a minute...that looks like my toys:) Wanna trade for the new Wall-E Gamer?  MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Happy Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for this year?  Family, friends, food on the table?  Imagine having to dive or surf in frigid waters below zero?  Having to wear a 7 mil wetsuit every time you wanted to catch dinner?  Yup that's not the Koolau mountain range in the background but real snow! 

You can only imagine how cold this dive was as I got ready to spear some salmon on our last trip to Alaska. We have a lot to be grateful for this year and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life's journey.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tahitian dream

Ia Ora Na, we just returned from the secluded Tuamotu Islands of Tahiti and experienced the true Polynesian Hospitality.  Our guide/interpreter/diver in the middle of the group, Tim Nakamura hooked us up with his close friends of Manihi and our Red Sea Crew captured the moment with over 1000 photos and high definition video to come on Hawaii Skin Diver TV.  A big "Maruru" thank you to Gilles, Angela, Nakamura Ohana, and all the people of Manihi for opening our eyes to what "Aloha" really means. 

This was one of the resorts on Manihi which offered a beautiful view with bungalows overlooking the lagoon where the Tahitian Pearls are farmed and have become so popular.

Got Shells

One day most of the group decided to go pick shells on the Indonesian seashore "sounds familiar" along one of the secluded beaches (say that ten times).  The variety of shells were amazing and our collectors brought home 20 pounds of shells.  The few of us (Lena, Travis, Dean, & me) left decided to go for a surf in front of the shell pickers and..

after they saw Dean get slotted on his 9'-0" longboard the rest was history.  "Get the dingy! Bring my board" Kirby yelled!  "What the *#^@@)&^ are we doing picking shells in front of this?" Laurie shouted as she began snapping photos.

Breakfast in a barrel

Every day we would have 2 breakfasts.  The continental early morning serving with the follow up mid-morning meal after we surfed.  Here Al Ah Nee is first in line for his mi-goreng (noodle dish).  They had this bell they would ring every time a meal was served.

We scored some fun uncrowded surf and with days like this who needs to eat.  I preferred to have my breakfast in a barrel.  

Ultimate Boat Trip

Salamat Pagi! Or Good morning in Indonesian...After 14 days of adventure to some remote islands off West Timor our group of 14 travelers finally made it home scar free (except for a few minor injuries) and major jetlag.  We were scouting for new uncrowded surf spots, giant fish, and were truly blessed with perfect weather and good memories.  Teremakasih (Mahalo) to Captain Josch and his crew for their generous hospitality and willingness to accommodate us on board his beautiful boat, "Moana".  There are so much stories to tell so I'm sure you will be hearing much more to come on this incredible boat trip to Indo.  

Mexican Shootout 2008

Ola! Just in from the 2nd annual Mexican Shootout from La Paz Mexico.  We had a great time, with good friends and nice catches.  The weather was perfect and with five days of diving all day all of us were pretty tired to say the least.  A few of our divers developed major wetsuit rash while others had to get their fix of massages.  The Pez Gallo (roosterfish) was in abundance this year due to a major sardine school in session.  Team California took top honors with a 55lb. roosterfish holding the largest pelagic while our local boys won the largest reef and parrotfish. Special thanks to our friends, (Tim, Karon, & Himena Hatler) for all their warm hospitality and all our sponsors for their generous donations.

Ahi Fever

Well looks like our ocean is heating up as "Ahi Fever" is just around the corner and the boys are already hooking up!  Rumor has it the auction block is full of tuna and prices are low if you are trying to sell fish so better just hook up, spear um, and eat um!  Ken Pang and his crew on "Aloha Friday" landed this beauty and was kind enough to save us a few slabs of sashimi for our family.  Winds are forecasted to back off a little more and surf on the south shore is on the rise so pick your hobby and get out there and stay cool!

Pier 38

In Japan you have the popular "Tsukiji fishmarket", in Seattle you have famous "Pike Place", in Hawaii we have the newly renovated "Pier 38".  KHNL News 8 had a big interview for the 2nd annual Hawaii Fishing Seafood Festival and our "Hawaii Skin Diver TV" host, Merlinda Garma and popular chef Nico were there to promote the event.  The event is held the first Sunday of October and you will find booths representing the finest seafood restaurants, diving and fishing stores, and ocean enthusiast around the 50th state here.  If you are in Hawaii, make plans to be there or visit Pier 38 daily where you can check out the catch of day, Nico's restaurant or Uncle's Fish Market for a great meal.

Big Blue

When New Zealand spearos, Dean Martin and Steve Hathaway made history in 2006 in setting the world record by landing a 292 kg bluefin tuna no one could believe their story.  So when the opportunity arose for me to join them on their next adventure to target the Giant Blue-fin, there was no question...I was there!  We would make history with a team of divers from New Zealand, Australia, USA, Italy, & Hawaii.   We captured unbelievable footage of these remarkable fish in the most dangerous diving conditions ever!  Stay tuned for more...

Mexican Marlin

Mexican Shootout 2008 in La Paz Mexico is coming July 21-26!  At last year's event, a week after we left all the action of seeing and shooting marlin, Tim Hatler, host of Palapas Ventana landed this 277 lb. black marlin.  Mexico offers all sorts of pelagics fish and July is the best time of the year.  In addition to Marlin, you can find sailfish, mahi, ono, amberjacks, roosterfish, yellowfin, and groupers of all sorts of shapes and sizes.  Tim and Karon Hatler are great hosts and they have the best boatmen in town working for them.  We have some spots left so sign up before the airfares start skyrocketing!  This could be YOU!

Get a Passport

Summer is here! Surf is supposedly on its way but so is the crowd.  Every year we look forward to surfing uncrowded perfect peeling waves and Indonesia continues to deliver consistent waves all summer.  If this was diamond head cliffs, there would be 500 surfers out in the water.  Imagine arriving with your buddies at this lookout seeing this endless left hand wave peeling for miles with not one surfer out?  Need I say more?  Start bringing home lunch to work, save those pennies, and get a passport!

Gilligan's Island

Guess where this is?  Back in the days when I was growing up, one of my favorite TV shows was Gilligan's Island.  Everyday I would look forward to watching new or old episodes of this hilarious show.  The other day, we were able to visit Coconut Island where they supposedly filmed the opening island shot.  The reefs and waters around there are well taken care of "malama I ke kai" and the scientist and biologists continue to help manage in creating a sustainable ocean environment.  You do need special permissions to get on the island but it's a great place to check out if you have the opportunity...And no that's not Gilligan, Mary-Ann, and Ginger in the background.

The Art of Diving

One of Hawaii's top women skin divers, Kimi Werner has been making news around the diving community.  Diver by day, Artist by night she continues to achieve her goals and yesterday was no exception.  We decided to head out with one of her diving mentors, Wayde Hayashi and as we reached the harbor, we saw our other diving friends launching their boat.  It was looking like another beautiful day in Hawaii.  We had our secret chum, made a few drifts and next thing you know it she managed to land the fish of the day, "BIG ONO" with a small reef gun.  Stay tuned for the entire story on a future episode of Hawaii Skin Diver TV featuring this awesome diving artist!

North Shore Ulua

We decided to go for a dive on the North Shore today with the kona wind conditions.  Weekday warriors, Kirby & Mason Fukunaga and Shawn Fujimoto were already at the harbor at 5:30 am. anxious to dive.  Within the first hour of diving I spotted this white ulua in a hole and called Shawn over to let him know I was going to make a drop.  The ulua was circling the hole so I waited for it to give me a good shot.  When I pulled the trigger on my 100cm Euro Riffe the shaft penetrated the head but within a few seconds it started to run.  Shawn gave it the back up shot and it broke his line but we did finally land it after Shawn stabbed himself with his knife trying to brain the fish.  We caught a mixed bag of fish and even had some excitement with some good size sharks who were sizing us up for their next meal.  I think Mason made _ _ _-_ _ _ in his wetsuit after he saw his biggest shark in his life.  You can check out Kirby's website www.go-naminori.com for the "rest of the story".

Wayde Pool

Remember those "Small Kid" dayz when the bathtub felt like an olympic sized swimming pool? Or when going to the Big Island was like going to other side of the world?  Then you got older, took a few trips, met more people, and your world became smaller.  Then 20 years later, you find out your neighbors brothers son-n-law is good friends with your uncles daughters sister and your world became even smaller.  Went for a dive one day with USA World team diver, Wayde Hayashi is still just a kid at heart!  As big an ocean we have to play in, the Red Sea Paparazzi caught him in his personal "Wayde Pool".  He loves the ocean and any chance he can get in some surf or dive while spending quality time with his wife Angela and 3-year old son Reece is what life is about.

Jockos in May

An out of season north shore swell arrived on schedule yesterday.  Looked like Jocko's and Chuns reef was the spot and the rest of Hawaii was out in full force.  Some fun overhead waves with photographers, surfers, stand-up surfers all trying to get in the zone.  Today looks like there are still some surf but conditions are marginal with a bit of morning sickness so my call is to work now, surf later.  Lights winds still in the Red Sea forecast, with a dropping north swell by the weekend.  Trades should be back early next week.  Have a great day!  

Go Dive with Go-Naminori

What a beautiful day in Hawaii nei!  The variable winds began today and no surf so you know what that means!  Go Dive!  This time with Go-Naminori.com!  I got the invitation from Kirby Fukunaga and his brother for a dive that I could not pass up.  After several dives we had a mix bag of goatfish, omilu, uhus, rois, menpachi, aholehole, and then some.  I had a handful of chum which I began unloading at the drop and within 5 minutes, 30-40 kawakawas came swimming by.  The school circled the chum a few times while a few hungry fish stopped for a bite.  I couldn't believe all these pelagics so close to shore as I usually see this type of fish at the buoys.  "Tunas! Get more chum!" I yelled.  After a couple of drops trying to line up of this fast moving fish, I took a shot with my 100cm Riffe euro gun and the fish began to spool my reel.  I gingerly brought it up wondering if the shot was good.  Luckily it held and we got it in the boat after we got a few pics first!  It weighed in at 18.2 lbs.  I think it is a new Hawaii Skin Diver Spearfishing Record, more importantly we got some sashimi for dinner:)

Rooster Chris

Hawaii Skin Diver TV, new episode features the 1st Annual Mexican Shootout held at Palapas Ventana Resort, in Baja Mexico.  One of Hawaii's local boys, Chris Palignawan was on fire landing an almost world record Roosterfish (Pez Gallo) on his first day of diving.  He was so stoked on this catch we even made a gyotaku print of this trophy.  The action heated up as all the divers began spotting marlin and sailfish which made the tournament exciting.   Our next Shootout is being held on July 21-26, and we are looking forward to another great event.  If you want to shoot big game pelagics this is the spot.  Email us if you would like to join us!

Gene Higa Memorial

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to dive with Hawaii's best 3-prongers, Gene Higa (left) in 2004. He was an engineer by trade and loved to spearfish. Gene, Kalei, and Wayde were the 3-musketeers of diving and always dove together for fun or competition. He passed away in 2004 from a shallow water blackout experience at the US Nationals and since then a dive tournament has been occurred each May. This years event is at Puiki pavillion in Wailua, Hawaii on Saturday May 10th. Come out and join the fun in memory of our fallen divers.

Giant Uhu

When there is no surf...dive...when the diving conditions are bad...travel! Here Kris Tyler lands his biggest "uhu" ever. We took a trip to southeast asia and he landed this 80 lb. beast. He was so stoked on spearing this fish we even got to make a gyotaku print of it that will someday be hanging on the walls of his new dive shop in Kapolei. Check out Westside Dive & Tackle in the Marketplace of Kapolei. If you are getting the itch to take a trip, now is the time to travel before the airfares go up even further.

Magic Boards by Wade

Hope everyone has been getting there share of waves. One of Hawaii's top shapers, Wade Tokoro recently shaped a few magic boards for me that I'm super stoked on. I was able to test them out on this south swell and they both worked really good. Wade shapes boards for the 2007 world champion Mick Fanning, and many other top rated surfers like Sunny Garcia, Bruce Irons, Makua Rothman, legendary Mark Occhilupo. He enjoys charging pipeline, waimea bay, or the secret spot "inner ledge". If you are interested in getting your magic board, check out his website at www.tokorosurfboards.com to place your order. Surf has been fun on both the north and south shores but waves are expected to decline over the next several days so get out there if you can.

Springtime Ono

Springtime in Hawaii is the best! We got good surf, light winds, clean water, & opportunities to go dive! The weather was so nice to dive we decided to go out and look for some pelagics. Boats were out trolling in force, chasing birds, hoping to land the big one. I saw the aku boat, "Nissei" hooking up and just waited for the boat to pass me so I could get a glipmse of the underwater action. Instead, we moved location and did a drop, while chumming for Ono. I was about to surface when near the bottom swam two nice Onos toward me. I turned, looked and they began swimming away from me. I had one far shot and got lucky as my shaft penetrated the back third of the fish. I've seen some big Ono this year, and was stoked to land this one.

Go Deep

One of the most asked questions new divers ask is "how do you hold your breath"? What tips or advice can you give me on increasing my bottom time? Well, some may think its mind of matter, it's all about knowing your limits and proper training. The best advice to increase your diving skills and learning how to dive safe is by taking a class offered by Performance Freediving International. PFI Instructors Kirk Krack and Mandy-Rae Cruickshank will surely unlock your potential of going deeper and diving safer. Check out Puna Apio breathing up before going deep! Visit www.performancefreediving.com

Kodak moment

More surf on the way this week to the Hawaiian Islands! Weather forecast looking at light winds for another day before the trades make a brief come back midweek. Waves in town and country on the rise so wax up your boards. Our photographer, Chris Rust captured Lena Ching ripping it up at one of our secret surf spots. Accessible only by boat, this is probably one of the best rights in the world. This photo will hang on Lena's refrigerator for the rest of her life.

Red Sea Dive

The weather today was picture perfect! In fact it has been like this the past month. Everyday the winds are light and variable and excellent for a day at the beach. I dove with Patrick McCreary (left) and Keith Yamane (middle) today and we got a few fish for the barbeque. It's great to spend time with good friends doing what we love. Who know's 25 years from now we may be only talking about those good ol' days.

"Doggie" in the window

Wow, it's not very often you can go out at spear a dogtooth "doggie" tuna. On a recent trip we did to the Ryuku Islands, we joined up with Kirby Fukunaga, Reyton Siliado, Kevin Burril, Keith Camardo, and their friends for a Hawaii Skin Diver film shoot. Kirby got this sick shot of Kevin's fish caught on tape and made the cover of Hawaii Skin Diver Magazine. Check out www.go-naminori.com for more of Kirby's work.

Catch of the Day

What a beautiful day in paradise! Went for a dive with Davin Kazama "Kai Clothing" and Wayde Hayashi over on the east side. It's not very often the weather is good for diving but today was just one of those days. Davin speared his first omilu and I'm sure his prize will get printed and put on the dinner table this week. Congradulations on the "Catch of the Day"! Visit his website at http://www.kaiclothing.com/

Lanai boys

We went over to Lanai this weekend to film and the weather was perfect! Sunny skies, trades, and no rain! We hooked up with some of the local boys from Lanai and they were all so awesome! We got to meet up with some of Lanai's divers and do some filming as well. If you ever want a taste of "Old Hawaii" this is the place to go! The people are super friendly and everyone literally knows everyone. You can drive through Lanai city in less than five minutes and you must drop by Pine Isle Market to stock your coolers. Big Mahalos to Stan, Harry, and the rest of the gang on Lanai for setting us up!

Live Your Dream

Welcome to our Red Sea blog! So many people have asked us to start up a blog where they can log in to see our latest trips, activities, new hsdtv episodes, or ideas we have. As Martin Luther King coined, "I have a dream", we feel it all starts with a dream. Having a dream can be nerve wrenching at times and thoughts of failure or insecurities can sometimes keep us from moving forward. So we sit and stare at "status quo" wondering the "what ifs" of life. You have a gift God has placed in your heart, a talent that others may have talked to you about before, a desire to serve and better this community. Don't sit on fence as your new year's resolutions pass you by... "Live your dream" today!