3 Important Days

Today we got our first visit to Hawaii's Aulani Resort. I've been to the Disney Grand Hotel and the architecture had a similar feel. Nice entry, pools, service, but I couldn't find Mickey Mouse, Mini Mouse, Daffy Duck anywhere. I looked high and low but there must have been on lunch break.

So we checked out one of the ballrooms and seen this couple cutting up the rug. Didn't see any cameras rolling but these two stars were doing the walzt very well. Then I recognized them as my good friend Todd Nishimoto and his new wife Corrine on the floor. Judges unanimously gave them 10's in standing ovation.

Yup congratulations to you both on your wedding day! Remember what your uncle told you about never forgetting the 3 most important days of your life.

3. Your wedding anniversary day.

2. Your wifes birthday.

1. Rubbish day.

Japan and Okinawa in Hawaii

Wakayma + Okinawa + Hawaii were in the house for a reunion bbq party. We are so thankful for our many friends around the world who open up their homes, hearts, and have us be a part of their lives. These friends have been so generous to my family and friends these past years and we were so happy to have them visit our back yard this time.

We had an awesome spread of the best of best poke, sashimi, cajun style to start things off.

Then another whole spread of dishes that took everyone 3 servings each to put a dent in. Here our friend Hayato Maki was on plate no. 2. Now its time to work out and start burning off some calories.

2012 New Year Grinds

Happy New Year Everyone! Last day of 2011 I went diving south shore and today I went surfing north shore so great way to start the year! Had some friends and family over for yesterdays celebration and this is how we do it. First slippahs are always kept outside the house and if you are lucky you may even leave with a new pair of slippers than when you arrive. This is local style.

Top of the list is FRESH FISH, and we had a lot! Poke, sashimi, cajun style was all there. The whiter colored fish is Hamachi and one of the best to eat. If you go to the market to buy this expect to pay $30/lb.

Kids were first in line and Kazu and Kai knew what to do.

Erick and Galen were in the house and great to have such awesome friends to start the new year off.

Of course the finally was with homemaid pies. We had Teds, Galens, Alans, and Matts specialty pies and cakes to top it off. I think I gained 10 lbs during lunch today. This is going to be a busy year for me and hopefully bigger and better things will be happening in 2012. But first, gotta go back to the beach to burn off some of these calories!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Winter is finally here! North shore swells are about to kick in and everyone wants to surf! It seems there are not many spots so secret anymore where you can pull in without others in your way. I remember this wave at one of my favorite rights with all kinds of people right in my way. Luckily I didn't run anyone over and thankful to be alive.

I am thankful for those glassy days when the ocean is flat as a lake. When we can go out for a day with friends and catch some fish for dinner. The ocean is full of surprises and you never know what you will receive. Whether its the best wave or your life, a prized catch, or just surrounded by water as it refreshes your soul and allows you to dream.

As we look to the future we want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for all your support with Red Sea Ocean Adventures! We got a lot of great trips and HSDTV shows coming up in 2012 and look forward to having you join us. Enjoy your day off with your family and friends and see you in or on the water!

HFSF Behind the Scenes!

Lot of people lined up for this years Hawaii Fishing Seafood Festival even before the opening time. Some must have walked for a mile to just get in. Here Sundae Funai (bottom left) was helping at the front gate directing traffic. Thanks Sundae!

Hungry shoppers were satisfied at a variety of food stations from fish, hawaiian food, waffle dogs and more. Thanks guys!

Lot of people tell me how much they love the music of Hawaii Skin Diver TV. Well we were fortunate to have Chucky Boy Chock and his wife Tammy drop by our booth. They have been so supportive and we are blessed to have such talented musicians willing to support us. They even came out with a CD for our viewers to purchase. Thanks Chucky/Tammy!

Reid from Hanapa'a Hawaii was also in the house selling HSD shirts, magazines, and ice cream! Reid knows alot about fishing and I always find myself picking his brain. Thanks Reid!

And of course legendary Richard "Sonny" Tanabe was promoting his new book coming out soon. Here the "Hij" was checking out the sample book to come. Sonny has also been an anchor in the freediving/spearfishing community despite how busy he is he always makes time for me. Thanks Sonny!

And many thanks to all the supporters, volunteers, and organizers from PIFG for hosting the event. Time for me to start putting away all our stuff and get ready for the next swell:)

HFSF 2011 Pau

What a long fun weekend! The 6th annual Hawaii Fishing Seafood Festival was the place to be! We set up by 8:00 am and waited for the huge crowd to come in at 9:00 am. This was our booth featuring trips, tv, gyotaku, and more...we were blessed with great weather, cool breeze, and no rain!

Inside the fish auction there were a display of types of fish from reef to blue water fish.

but the big draw as always was meeting "Merlinda Garma" from Hawaii Skin Diver Television. She drew a line of fans waiting for her autograph.

Kids lined up waiting patiently to meet her and take pictures with her.

Even "Hawaii's Goes Fishing" host Cindy Paliracio was there to represent their show. It was such a awesome event and great way to bring the fishing community together. Great times, good food, entertainment, and things to buy. Mahalo to Pacific Island Fisheries Group, all our sponsors, helpers, clients, and fans for coming by. Until next year!

Hawaii Fishing Seafood Festival 2011

Aloha Tuesday all! Lots of fun summertime surf in the next few days so finish your work early and get out there! Been busy gearing up for the 2011 Hawaii Fishing Seafood Festival coming up this Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011 at Pier 38. We will be in booth #39, so come visit us if you can and get Merlinda's Autograph. There will be lots of cool stuff here for the family, great food, good times. Tonight premiers a new episode of Hawaii Skin Diver Television so tune in to OC16 or online at www.oc16.tv at 8:30 pm HST. Enjoy!

Tanks

What an eventful weekend and week ahead. To start if off saturday was spent working, editing, packing and gearing up for our next Red Sea Ocean Adventure (more to come). But Al Ah Nee calls me up and wants to dive so we (Travis, Me, Al) decide to brave the windy weather on our Kayaks. Yes we go paddling and barely make it in as the winds picked up. God I miss my boat! Later we heard another kayak diver got swept out and was rescued by the coast guard that night! It's a good thing it wasn't us getting rescued.

South swell arrived Monday and decided to grab a few barrels at big rights! Just me and two friends out for awhile and scored! Got a call from fellow diver Brent Ching to go scuba dive so since I've haven't scuba dove for a long time I wanted to try.

Passed by the afternoon crowd at bowls and headed to the Alantis shipwreck outside Waikiki. The sun was about to set so we gear up and joined Capt. Roger, first mate John, Brent, and a few other guys.

Here I am down at 80 ft. on my dive. I forgot to add weights to my belt so John had to help me with a extra belt so I could get down. It was a new experience and cool to do. I didn't poke any fish but took a few pics.

Tanks Brent for inviting me and keep up the diving!

HSDTV at OIA Game

Last night we were invited to promote Hawaii Skin Diver at the OIA moanalua/damien football game and it was fun! OC16 put a booth together and a good crowd showed up. I think the last time I've been to a football game was 20 years ago.

Merlinda Garma our host was there to sign autographs and take pictures with her fans. Feels great to see the youngsters who admire her and want to get to meet her. This girl wanted a autograph for her brother who was on the field playing.

Moanalua won the game and everything turned out well. Lots to do this weekend so gotta get to work now!

Pass it on

One of greatest things we can do for our keiki is teach them what we know. We had the opportunity to assist Gyotaku Artist "Crow" Nakamoto at Kaneohe Elementary School demonstrate how to do gyotaku to kindergarden kids. They were so happy and excited to paint fish. One kid asked if she could eat the fish, another told me he goes diving with his dad already, another said he watches our show, Hawaii Skin Diver all the time.

They were so proud and printed then painted their fish with their water colors. This girl Kiyomi's expression says it all. I bet it will be framed on her wall forever.

A big mahalo for Crow and his crew for teaching the kids at Kaneohe Elementary how to do gyotaku. Now is the time to pass it on!

HSD EXPO PAU

The 2011 HSD Expo is all pau! What a event and thank you for coming down to visit us and talk story! The vendors included: Hawaii Skin Diver, Riffe International, Omer/Sporasub, Westside Dive and Tackle, and much more. This is a photo of our Red Sea booth and we had all kinds of stuff to choose from like destinations, apparel, caps, gyotaku and more...

Our HSDTV host Merlinda Garma was in the house signing autographs and as usual drawing a big crowd. I'm amazed how many people told me what a great ambassador and role model she has been for Hawaii Skin Diver TV. Can you believe we have been on air for 8 seasons already!

Another role model, Kimi Werner had her crew out in full force presenting her latest fish caps which was a hot seller.

I stopped by the seminar room to listen to Cameron Kirkconnel share his stories about his recent world record dogtooth capture and how he managed to land it.

Terry Maas was also there promoting his safety vest which is pretty high tech and demonstrated how it works. It was so neat to see our diving community come out and support the event and I want to thank my family for their hard work and all our friends for coming out!

HSD EXPO 2011

Worked all weekend gearing up for the upcoming HSD expo March 20th. Did some filming with Merlinda Garma (host of HSDTV) for our new show coming up on March 1st at 8:30 pm on OC16. Got some trips lined up with a few open spots. One diver seat to Palau (March 6-13) and one surfer seat to Mentawais (June 28-July 12).

If you want to get some deals on dive gear then make plans to attend this years HSD EXPO March 20th at the blaisdell. Lots of goodies and gear for you dive enthusiast. We will have a booth and Merlinda will be there to sign autographs as well. Next few days will be wet and wild so eat miso soup, watch HSD videos, and start packing or planning your next trip. Surf is declining, winds are picking up, water should be dirty for the next few days.

Go-Naminori Party 2011

Last night we got invited to the Go-Naminori Party which was a blast! The gang from Okinawa, Japan, and Hawaii got together for a fun time on top of Waikiki. Kirby Fukunaga (right) has been a great friend and we share the same vision of making other peoples dreams come true.

Meet Naoka (Left), the man behind the computer of Go-Naminori! He works 8 days a week, 25 hours a day, and I told him to relax this time in Hawaii.

The Moniz kids were packed liked sardines on the couch with Kasuma (2nd from left) and Shun (right) checking out the action. These are the next generation of pro-surfers!

Craig Sako, pulled out all the stops and cooked up and unreal meal. He steamed Kumus, cooked the cow, made poke, and killer banana cream desert.

The night was still young at this point until the Bee Jees music started playing and Kasubo made his entrance "cutting up the rug" to say the least...stay tuned for more!

North Shore Fireworks

This 4th of July we decided to spend it up on the North Shore of Oahu to avoid the crowds but it was packed up there as well. There were rides for the kids, food booths for the adults, and lots and lots of people.

We walked through the festivities with everyone parked on the west end near the stables hoping to get a good view. I think everyone on the North Shore was here celebrating our freedom and independence.

Entertainment by Kapena Ohana was jamming the ukulele and rocking the house. We couldn't find a good spot so we headed back to the Turtle bay hotel and sat by the poolside to watch the fireworks display.

We are so lucky to live in a nation that celebrates our Independence Day, and allows us the freedom to follow our hearts desire. Life is short...dream Big and just do it!