Live simple

As we all reflect back on 2013 I was searching for a photo that would say it all.  Not a big fish picture or huge barrel but a picture that would encourage us busy people to appreciate what we have been blessed with in 2013. Our family, friends, health, and many things that surround our busy life. My surfer friend in indo doesn't have the latest gadgets, spearguns, medical benefits or eating fast food meals but he one happiest boys I know. All he has is his canoe and few pairs of clothes from those traveling surfers. His secret to his happiness, "live simple".  Have a safe and happy new year everyone!

Back therapy

After a long night trying to sleep on my boat I woke up to a stiff back and sore neck. Asked my nephews how was their sleep? And the said perfect, let's do it again?  Then get a call from Kirby who wants to get fish so in 1 hr I am down at the club going out for back therapy.

I take my 3-prong and find a small Kumu for the steamer but couldn't find a Uhu for a friend.  We move spot to the place I got the last big omilu and look in the hole to find another one.  I call Kirby over and tell him to shoot it, cause I didn't want to bend my shaft.

He goes down and bam! Good shot but not stoned and it bends his shaft. Grab a few more kole and we head in. Thanks Kirby for another fun day!

Boat trip with the boys

With school out my nephews were ready for another red sea boat trip. Packed up the DVD player, 3ds players and we were all set for a overnight boat trip. Maika (right) tell me, "hey uncle, this is the life".

I remember those days when I was their age sleeping in our family boat. It was fun and I hope these boys feel the same one day when they are old.

Its Alive!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas Holiday!  It came and went so fast! I thought we were still in Thanksgiving mode and before you know it Christmas was here and the new year is coming around the corner.  Was da night before Christmas, my friend Kekoa dropped off two fish at the house.  We started cutting it up immediately for our family party.  The opelu kala was speared earlier that day and it was still alive!  

As I was cutting the fish the tail was flapping a little and meat twitching it doesn't get any fresher than this!  Thanks Kekoa for the sashimi and looking forward to some big Ahi in 2014!

5 more days before Christmas!

The Christmas rush is on! 5 more days. Went to the windward mall to shop but saw this open market going on and got distracted with all the fruits and vegetables. They have this every Wednesday which is cool.

Surf has been firing this week with big west swell wrapping even into town making everyone happy. Especially surfers like me. More joy to come with north shore pumping!

Green Hawaii

Looks like tahiti or some exotic place? Yes this Hawaii! Got a few fun waves up north today with another giant swell coming thurs. evening. 8 more days before Christmas and lots to do. Keep the peace everyone during this busy time of the year.

Gone fishing!

Another beautiful day in Hawaii. Went fishing with my friends James and Kekoa and got a few fish for dinner.  Thanks guys for a fun day at the office.

Gyotaku 101

Today we had the opportunity to teach a 4th grade class the art of gyotaku. Master artist Crow demonstrated for all.

5 stations to work. This was my group. They all did very well.

The kids had fun and now they know how to fish print.

Malolo Queen

Last kona trip I got to dive and film with this awesome diver, Kimi Makaiau!  We were looking to target onos but she would always get side tracked from these flying fish swimming by her.  Next thing you know it she spears one! OMG never saw anyone shoot one before.  Then a few minutes later she shoots another one!  Wow!  She was henceforce named "Malolo Queen".  Look out Onos this girl is a sharp shooter.

Waikiki yacht dive

I never knew about Waikiki yacht harbor till recently when my friend Kirby got a slip.  Really cool place, very private, and secure. Super convenient to go dive so we went out again for another quick dive.

I was looking for something bigger today and found a nice omilu in a hole.  The hole was small and I couldn't fit inside so I would wait for it to circle around for me to give me the right shot.  I would wait and wait but if the shot wasn't right I would slowly back off and try again.  Took me about 10 minutes to get the right shot but we got lucky today.  Grabbed a few more kumus and headed in.

We ended up sharing most of the catch with Kirby's friends at the beach which made everyone happy.  Mahalos Kirby for another fun day on the water and James and Cat for watching out for us.  Good teamwork means a good day!

A Proud Uncle

This morning me and my nephew Kai went for a quick spin to check the harbor.  Wanted to see how crowded it was and whether if would be good to dive. 

The water was super nice but there was some surf outside and lots of boats out so we decided to go on another day for a dive.  Kai has been learning a lot about the ocean and someday he will be a red sea crew. I push him and his brother maika lot to try their best and not give up because that's what it takes to survive in this world. Dream big boys!

He recently wrote this cool letter about me for school which made me proud to be his uncle.  Keep up the great work Kai , study hard and one day all your dreams will come true.

Strike Two

Great Aloha Saturday!  Nice waves up north at 6 ft plus and light winds so good day to surf.

Wendell Ko's video of the other days fishing action.

Ono Fishing Action Click Here

Diving with the boys

Today my friends kirby, kekoa and james had the itch to dive so finished up my work and off we went. Loaded up at 4 pm at the dock.

After one hour we got a bunch of Kumus for dinner. This fish is $13.99/lb.

Pretty good catch for a short dive.

Then we headed to a BBQ at lee-anns house. Lots of good food.  Thanks lee-ann!

My partners al and Kekoa kicking back. Great day in paradise.

Lucky Fishing Day!

Today was a long but fun day! My friend Wendell Ko needed a crew so I joined him to catch fish for a BBQ.  We drove and drove but no luck till 3 pm when...

We get a hit and we reel in nice small mahi.  We keep looking for birds but no action.  Our other friends head out 25 miles but they have no luck either. So we decide to head in to the harbor at 4:30 pm when the reels start to scream.

A nice Ono takes the port rigger pole and we work it in.  The colors on the fish were beautiful. 

Then the starboard rigger pole goes off.

Double! Yeah two fish on and make it in the boat.

We make it back in by sundown with big smiles as a slow day turned on at the end. We were blessed with fish for our bbqs! Thanks Wendell for a fun day on the water!

Today's jobsite

Deckhand work, fish catcher.

Red Sea Salt

Red Sea salt in progress. Making a new batch for 2014 trips.  A lot of spices and herbs makes a winning seasoning.

Fresh as can be. Lot of love put into this batch.

What does the Fox say?

Todays thought by minion dave? Click here to watch Enjoy!

Kaula Rock "Knifejaw"

This is Hawaii Skin Diver, Arnel Data bringing up a fish called a knife jaw.  Its hard to find kind of fish but we found a few up on our last dive trip to Kaula Rock.  It's a delicacy in Japan and somehow they migrated down to our Hawaiian waters.  Tonight premiers the new episode of Hawaii Skin Diver TV, featuring diving at the remote "Kaula Rock".  Check it out at 8:30 pm on OC16 channel 1012 or 12 or watch it online at www.oc16.tv.  Hope you all enjoy the show and thanks for watching!

Van World Cup Winner

Went for a morning session at vland and got some fun waves.  Then the rains came down, thunder and lighting so headed in for some tv.

Good day to watch the contest at sunset. Yesterday saw Kelly slater going left at sunset. Unfortunately he did not make his heat.

Today Congratulations to Ezekiel Lau winning the world cup!  All of Hawaii celebrates with him.

Dawn patrol

Northshore now! 3-5 ft and perfect 

Seiji sushi

While we were in Kona one the top places we ate at was Seiji sushi.

They a good menu selection and I ate a variety of sushi. It's a small hole in the wall place and very friendly atmosphere.

This was the Seiji special which disappeared in 2 minutes. If you're ever in Kona try Seiji sushi.

Happy thanksgiving 2013

Happy thanksgiving everyone!  So grateful for all my family, friends and good health....and fresh sashimi...

Spicy tuna...

Cajun Ono! Now time to get barreled. Big swell coming tomorrow.

Kona Sunset day

Today's agenda was to sightsee and film. We all headed to hualalai resort and checked out their fish pond. Lots of mullet, manini and awa for kids to see.

Then we did some filming on location with Merlinda and Kimi.

Its great to see these two dive partners in action.  Both Kimi and Merlinda are a great team. #chicks rule?

Ended the day with a spectacular sunset and thankful for another beautiful day. Mahalo to all our divers, friends and families who were so supportive.