Samoa Adventure

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those in Samoa who has been devastated by the Tsunami/Earthquake yesterday. I was watching the news and just thinking about our last trip there where we got to meet and fellowship with the locals eating palusami (lau lau) and dancing the Samoan slap dance. This was half of our group going to church on Sunday, while the other half were hung over from the night before drinking too much kava.

If you ever wondered where that one opening shot on our program "Hawaii Skin Diver" with this beautiful pond...now you know! It's in Samoa. This huge ladder goes down into this aqua green colored pool/cave which opens up to the ocean on the other side. Amazing!

Red Sea Angels

You may have heard of Charlie's Angels, but you haven't heard of "Red Sea Angels" yet? These three world travelers are in search of the perfect wave, the biggest fish, and uncrowded conditions life can offer. In a few weeks we will be packing up again to Southeast Asia with Kirby Fukunaga as our guide and James Oshiro on our side we can't be stopped. Well then again, if you eat the wrong foods and get the runs then that's another story. We hope to meet up with our good friend Andre (Andre Spearguns) and hopefully he will let us pose for another picture holding up the real fish this time.

Westside Triple Crown

Went over to the wild wild west today to visit the 3rd event of the Westside spearfishing triple crown. With 17 teams divers from Oahu were destined to take down the evasive species (Roi, Toau, and Ta'ape). Team Poke Choke won the event and with over 50 fish speared today they were stoked! Mahalo to all the sponsors and Westside Dive & Tackle for organizing this event.

These fish are the not native to Hawaii and continue to devastate our marine environment, eating our more desired reef fish. The Roi or Peacock grouper is often found with ciguatera so be careful when eating it. Surf came down today but water was still green so gotta get back to work before the next adventure begins.

Open hands

Just in from surf scouting trip looking for uncrowded spots for others to enjoy. After surfing crowded Laniakea on the first northshore swell I was ready to relax and unwind. We sailed, we played cards, we surfed, we dived, we watched movies and enjoyed every sunset as it was the last. Life seems to be passing us by so fast, like the sun setting over the horizon we wait for the green flash to arrive. Keep an open hand and enjoy the ride!

Ulua Hunters

Some friends invited me to go on a dive trip this week to Kaula Rock/Niihau but I wasn't able to make it. Last time we travelled we got some good Ulua action and who knows what they will be bringing home this time. Here in Hawaii Ulua (Giant Trevally) is a prized target for a good fight. The best way to eat this fish is by smoking it and I don't know of any real good recipes. Here George, Wendell, Puna, and Boyd pose for my camera with the biggest fish in the 80+ plus range.

Big Red Kumu

We have been filming in high definition for a while now and our television network on channel 16 has finally started broadcasting in true HD. This month you can check out some eastside reef action and see the scales, details, and true color like you never saw before. HD also shows the wrinkles, pimples, and other problem areas of course. One of our featured divers, Shawn Fujimoto lands a prize goatfish, called the "Kumu". If you spearfish, and live in Hawaii this is what you look for and if you are lucky enough may even bring one home for dinner.

Erick Itoman, MD

Probably the most rewarding part of traveling is meeting people. As much traveling I do the surfing, diving, fishing, has always been the "icing" on the cake while the friendships we make is priceless. A perfect example is our good friend, Erick Itoman. He went on a trip to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia while in medical school was able to use the trip as a mission helping others. I remember how he brought band aids and walked the village while the children flocked around him. One lady who had infections on her feet was also lucky to get personal treatment. Remember there are no hospitals in this area of the world.

Well this doctor can travel, surf, dive, and eat! And today is a very special day for him and his wife, Laurene as they return to Hawaii for good where we can hang out and enjoy life doing what he is called to do. Welcome home and let's get your gills in the water!