Stairway to Heaven

What's up with the traffic on the freeway? I feel sorry for all those who live on the leeward side of Oahu.  All because of rail? That's another can of worms.

This is the hiking trail called "stairway to heaven". Always look to see if hikers are climbing the koolau mountain. It was recently closed due to broken steps and if you slip and fall you may get to heaven sooner than later. Today is great day to stay indoors and watch a movie.  I'm going to start packing for my next trip!

Tony the Tiger

Today weather was forecasted to have light winds and small waves so planned to get some footage for a future episode of Hawaii Skin Diver Television with kayak diver Travis Masutani.  Travis is a good diver and partner to have and we've been fortunate to get some good action lately.  

As Travis caught some bait he jumped in his kayak to rig up his live bait and from up the deep blue came "tony the tiger" shark.  I usually see these sharks swimming slowly but this one bolted up and I was able to grab some video of the shark as it passed by me.  In Hawaii these are the most dangerous sharks and whenever I see them, I am very cautious.  The winds started to pick up so we packed up and paddled in a couple miles.  Thanks Trav for another great dive and workout!

Spearing Mu

Diving for Mu is probably one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences.  Also known as Big Eye emperor fish they feed on crustaceans and taste very good.  I was flipping through my video collection and saw this one clip taken by Arnel Data on our last dive trip out to the outer islands.  Hopefully we get to catch more of these someday soon!

V-land Dawn Patrol

Today the winds are transitioning to light and variables. Interesting clouds and light rain to start the day.

Decided to grab a few waves up on the north shore with some fun 2-4 ft surf. Good to my friends Timmy, Ross, Cade and Reo out in the line up. Tomorrow waves should be dropping so get out there!

Spring in the air

Wow February almost gone? Spring is in the air and the crowds are thinning out. Lighter winds and small waves coming so gotta get the gills wet and train for our upcoming trip.

Edit And Eat

Started the day editing the next Hawaii Skin Diver show. Lots of hours are put in the edit bay as we fine tune the details. 

After I took some time to fix my speargun bands as we get ready for our upcoming trips. 

Yesterday's catch is tonight's dinner. Fried aholehole.

3-prong dive

How's this classic longboard? Travis and I went for a evening session, not to surf but to get dinner.  Paddled out at 430 pm and started diving.

Took out the 3 prong and 1 hour later we had enough for dinner.

Nice aholeholes and a couple red fish for fry.  Got a good workout and good meal, thanks Travis for the dive.

Pargo Alley

One of the most challenging reef fish to spear is the Pargo also called the Dogtooth snapper.  We find them all over Mexico and during our Red Sea Shootout if you can land one of these fish you have a good chance of placing well in the event.  There is a area called Pargo alley where they are abundant. They act like a nenue when you shoot them they dart into the cave and lots of shafts have been bent because of poor shots.  Well as I edit the next HSD show, I am getting excited to head back to Mexico for our 9th Annual Mexican Shootout, June 26-July 3, 2015.  Here Evan Leason shows us how its done!  Come join us if you want to spear one of these monsters!

Priceless

Does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Well went for my annual check up and got the keep going on my diet and exercise plan. Cylinders still firing and blood still flowing well:) As I left my doctor I said we gotta be thankful for good health. He shook my hand and said, "that's priceless"! 

Did some filming today with Merlinda Garma at one of my surf spots. Lots of nice colors to compliment her new outfit from Jams World.  Trades are back and weather looking great so have a nice weekend!

Xxxl board at pipe

Was checking the surf cam at pipe and saw this giant board in the line up, 

Then as a wave approached the guys started paddling.

They made the drop and everyone was hanging on for their life.

Must be j.o.b. And his friends having fun?

Missed Opportunity

After downloading my go pro I needed to analyze and see what went wrong on our missed opportunity.  The hook up was good, I cleared one line and everything was going well.  Al was doing a great job reeling in the fish even with his injured thumb.  As the fish came near the boat, we noticed it tangled with the outside line around the head so I gaffed it what appears in the eye.  

The fish twisted and flipped and some how shook the gaff.  See Al reaching to grab the fish!  Watch out Al you don't want to injure your other hand!

The mahi dove back in toward the water and swam away.  I was about to dive in but realized I didn't have my speargun.  Oh well next time.  Lesson learned from this missed opportunity was to clear all lines on side of boat fish is coming up.

Gone fishing

Light trades today so tried our luck fishing.  Nice day but not much birds.

Al Ah Nee made his famous sandwich. It was so awesome again. We go fishing just to eat his sandwiches. 

We got enough for dinner tonight. But gotta try again for the one that got away.

Vitamin Sea

What a beautiful day again! Perfect weather to be outdoors.  I spoke with my friend in Virginia who is being snowed in and no work because of their bad weather.  We are so fortunate to live in Hawaii and lets never forget that.  Going to the beach to breath the fresh air is good for your health.

My nephews finished their homework early and wanted to check out the pier even if was for a little while.  Maika tells me "Uncle, I really like the smell of the ocean."  I tell him, "Yes, salt air is healthy for you".  

They catch a few crabs and get another taste of enjoying the ocean. Vitamin Sea does a body good.

Presidents' Day surf

Another nice day in Hawaii. Checked the surf cam and waves were smaller but fun. Saw this familiar boat pull up at bowls and knew it was my friend Kirby going riding. Clean and clear water perfect for a dive. 

Sunday Surf Session

North winds with big northwest swell so headed to town for an evening session. A few guys out and some fun waves.  Holiday tomorrow so probably be a crowded day. Enjoy!

Valentine's surf check

Happy Valentines Day! Don't forget to take time to smell the roses and appreciate your love ones. 

Howling winds and no electricity where we live so good idea to check the surf. Nothing better than following the garbage truck to the beach right?  So much rubbish and down trees all over.

But conditions were epic on the Eastside. 

Looking like Fiji? Windy with nobody out.

Koa surf rack

Today's project was to finish up the Red Sea surf shop. Custom Koa surf rack by Crows Creations.  Now got lots of room for our quiver of boards.  

Wicked Tuna

Season premier February 15, 2015. 

Eat heathy

One of my staples in life is oatmeal for breakfast. I prefer the steel cut oats sold at Heath food stores for maximum fiber. A little fruit and granola and I'm all good to go. I'm believer in diet and exercise so so find out what works for you be able to be at your best physical condition. 

My "Man Cave"

What's a man cave? Or manspace is a male sanctuary where guys do as they please per Wikipedia.  Some guys have a huge room with billiards, dart games, bars and flashing lights with neon sign where all the boys hang out.

In our Red Sea house I got surfboards on the couch on the dining table, poles in the entry way and no place to walk, so my dad and I built a man cave or should I say man closet?  Hours of planning, hours of laying things out and hours of labor but we finally finished!

Now my poles are in order, dive gear nicely sorted and boards all organized.

I'm so happy I have a couch to sit and table to eat and my very own man closet.  So if I don't pick up you know where to find me...

Epic Eastside again

Strong south winds backed off to moderate west winds and waves came up!

Passed kahana bay to surf the secret spot again. I pull up and nobody out? Paddle out and waves begin building double overhead and barreling double ups. More guys came out and I was done by 9 am.

Three guys getting ready ask me how was it? I tell them good! They go out with no boards but only fins.  Wow!

Food for thought

Today's Wumo..Edited version...picture your dream!

Broke fin day

Today we went for a kayak paddle as winds veered north. Great exercise and workout with not much action.  Paddled for miles and miles then came in for lunch.

Broke my buechat fin today which was costly. These fins are $450 a pair. Ouch!

Secret Spots

West winds continue today producing epic conditions on the east side.  Everywhere else looks all buss except perfect offshore winds here.  There are not too many secret spots on this island but there are a few good uncrowded spots to find.

Big waves up north so lots of wrap.  Double overhead waves, barreling, offshore winds.

Waxed up my bigger board for the far paddle and getting in early.  Saw my friend Marteen already out in the line up by himself so I kept him company.  Waves were firing and some nice steep hollow waves.

Saw eastside board rider, Ed Kupahu out along with Rick, Reo and Wade who joined the fun later.  Wade had injured him shoulder but doing the Bethany Hamilton one arm paddle into some big double ups and charging. It was funny to listen to the boys talking story about how lucky we are to have grown up surfing this side of the island and telling the others no pictures or facebook on these secret spots. There are no hassling for waves, no dropping in, no crowds with some of the best waves ridden.  I'm sure everyone has their favorite secret spots to surf so everyone enjoy and have fun doing what you love!