Kona trip in September

[c.lathe]

The wife and I are going to be staying on the big island, Kona side, from 5 Sept - 13 Sept, and I was wondering if I could persuade any Spearboarders to show me the waters on the big island. I'll provide fuel, food and beverages (of whatever persuasion). I've been living in Micronesia for two years, and I haven't done much spearing outside of here, so I would like to see what the rest of the islands have to offer. I've heard that the shore diving on the big island is also decent; any suggestions for shore diving would also be much appreciated.

[DKSocal]

Depending on my schedule I may be available to dive with you. I go back to school in August and I will probably ship out my gear once more. I'm at the university on Hilo side so maybe a 2 hour drive from where you will be staying in Kona. Kona side offers up some solid diving all along the coast.

A-Bay, 69's and Maklawena are all very close to where you will be and offer some great opportunities to shoot some quality fish. There are a few regular spots I hit on the Hilo side and up into Honoka'a.

I'll do my best to keep tabs on this thread and check for PMs.

PS: where in Kona are you planning on staying?

[c.lathe]

I've got a house near Onomea Bay for a week and change. I'm not looking for any high-adventure super-duper bluewater trips, just a few dives in some of the better spots around the island... I'm pretty easy to please. I'll keep this updated as we get nearer our arrival.

[DKSocal]

Ah, you are just up the road from Hilo and right next to Papaikou. Papaikou is an awesome beach to check out as there is an old cane mill and its riddled with all different colors of sea glass and usually as some good looking surf if your wife enjoys that kind of thing.

If you really want a treat I would head down to South Point; its a bit of a drive but the leeward tip protects you from the current and offers up some stunning dives. Entering is one of 2 ways....you can down climb the ladder on the cliff face we use when cliff jumping or go in off the boat ramp/rocks which is maybe a bit easier.

[maidendeth13]

Hey,

I'm also gonna be in Kona in early september, the 4th to 8th or something and would be stoked to get in the water, I won't really have transportation or any gear except mask and snorkel and maybe some fins if I think theres a good chance of gettin in the water (checked bags are expensive now).

Anyways if either of you are going there and have an extra spear I'd be stoked to tag along. Not very experienced as far as spearfishing but tons of time on the water paddling, surfing, etc so shouldn't be holding you up at all.

Shoot me a PM if you want to try to work something out,

and I'm in Costa Mesa so if you havent' gone back to Hawaii yet maybe we dive laguna sometime before?

[makoa352]

Hey DKSocal, I will be home in sept and checking my ulua houses at laupahoehoe. I will be hunting alone as my boys will be in school. I have a baby luau to provide some fish for on the 5th so let me know if you are available. To c.lathe there are a couple of spots we usually hit over kona side. You will want to check out the Natural Energy lab out by the kona-keahole international airport. You can swim out to the "ono lane" from there or "poke squid" around the large reef heads close to shore. There is a beach park with fresh water showers if you turn right at the end of the access road to the lab, but you will want to go left on the dirt road. There are alot of secluded places along this road where your wife will love sitiing in the shade while you dive. There are plenty of launch spots along this strecth of 'Banyans". Also you can launch from Spencer Beach (the first beach access you come to as you hit the bottom of the hill from waimea) just before kawaihae harbor. There are juvenile hammerheads and reefies in these waters but have never been a problem with us. You can swim out to the drop off where there is a bouy/channel marker in about 70'-80' of water that sometimes holds fish. This would be a good place for palu or flashers as the bottom out by the bouy is pretty free of structure...you may call in some blue water species. Or swim south after entering the water and you will find some good spots about 1/2 mile-1 mile along secluded shoreline that holds good sized reef species; uhu, palani, nenue, kumu, weke, etc. Please take all the roi (peacock grouper) that you can...invasive species to hawaii. Windward big island is a bit more rugged than kona side, but there are some great spots if you can hook up with some kamaaina to show you where to go. My local spots are hakalau (along hamakua...only seen from high bridge as you drive over the gulch) and laupahoehoe point (usually rough seas and stiff trades and tricky currents), both rugged spots but well worth the work. There are other spots that DKSocal can show you. Also you can check with the boys at Tokunaga's in hilo, or with Tanya at Big Island Spearguns in hilo or kona. Tokunaga's is a great place to get whatevah you need for rigging or for gear...they are great for tying bands etc. and local knowledge. Wish I could dive with you but i will be off island after the 6th or 7th. Good luck. Hope this info helps. It sounds like you might hook up with DKSocal if your schedules match up. I might need some info on your waters for a trip i and my sons are taking next summer. ALOHA!

[c.lathe]

Hey guys, sorry for the delay. I've arrived in Hilo (miscommunication about where the house was, it is indeed in Papa'ikou :-) , and am up to do any diving and spearing that anyone has the time for, as I have nothing pressing to do here. DKSoCal: still up to do some diving? I'll head by Tokunaga's tomorrow, went by Big Island Spearguns and the dude that was there didn't have many suggestions for spots. I may be heading out to Kona to dive with a friend on his boat. Thanks for all the great info guys!

[c.lathe]

By the way, what's the shark action like on the windward side? From what I've read, tigers can be pretty thick from time to time. No stranger to sharks, but pretty sure that if I ran across a hungry tiger I might possibly s*&#. :P

[Finbreaker]

Hey Chad, Just remember if you see a tiger, you have already won half the battle. If they see you first, well, then, that's all I have to say about that!

[c.lathe]

I'm pretty sure that a tiger would leave more than a sweet scar too... too bad. Looks like you need to change your location now, eh? :P Too soon?

[FDU]

If you want great information on where to go, including the blue water buoys (I highly recommend), contact Calvin Lai at Kona Coast Spearfishing. They have a nice 26 foot Twin Vee and sometimes take visitors out.