Instant Reader Report on Diving
Mike Severns Diving/Hyatt Regency Maui in
Hawaii/Maui in
2003/02

 Caribbean, Florida, Malaysia, Thailand 

Dive Conditions

Depth.  Follow the DM, with "roaming" flexibility based on
demonstrating underwater competency.  The lesser of you/buddy's air.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

First found out about Mike Severns Diving through the Chapbook.  To us,
Undercurrent is an outstanding investment for those that dive.  Like having
a trusted friend give an honest personal report on a dive experience, the
must-do’s, and the gotcha’s, PRIOR to you going yourself.

Mike Severns Diving (MSD).  For those going to Maui, this is a top-notch
operation, and (in our humble opinion) should be your first consideration. 
Like when you come to Denver, and want great beef, I’ll send you to Brooks
Steak House.  Others might argue for Morton’s or Del Frisco’s.  If you want
the “USDA Prime” of diving in Maui, you may have other options, but you
can’t go wrong with MSD.

Ownership/staff.  When the owner leads the dive, you can be assured that
the one with the primary vested interest in your customer satisfaction,
will do everything within reason (and safety) to assure that you feel that
your money has been well spent.  Pauline Fiene (marine biologist with
thousands of Maui dives under her belt) is now the primary owner (bought
out her partner/ex-husband, Mike).  She maintains a superb staff, from boat
captain, Vici, to the various divemasters (been out with Andy and Tara). 
Totally professional attitude, but still fun, and treat you like you’re
part of the family.  They’ve been leading dives for 20-some-plus years, and
it shows with their knowledge of the area.  No Gilligan here.

To read more, check out their website for info on dive areas, crew, news,
etc. (www.mikesevernsdiving.com).

The setup.  We’ve been using them for several years.  The boat meets early
at the Kihei boat ramp (about 50 mins from Kaanapali), but the seas are
usually nice and calm at that time of day.  They set up and verify all your
equipment for you.  Once on the boat, they greet you with Kona
coffee/juice/water, fresh fruit, and great pastries from a local bakery. 
They ask if there is something specific you want to see, and do their best
to accommodate you.  On this trip, once we were out at the outer wall of
Molokini, Vici carefully surveyed the water currents (we asked about it and
she said she wanted to make sure we would be fine underwater…don’t want a
current/surge pushing us into or away from the wall; and that she would be
fine above water…don’t want the boat banging into the wall).  It was
obvious safety was a top concern.  Pauline provides a thorough, patient
dive briefing (along with pictures from her book) on EXACTLY the things to
keep an eye out for during your time under water.  She establishes specific
hand-signals for things she will point out to you during the dive.

The dives.  Our first dive was on the outer wall (great viz, 100+).  With
various rock ledges and steep drop-offs, there are plenty of places to
explore for critters, and you should also be monitoring the deep blue for
large pelagics.  We heard (but didn’t see) humpbacks throughout the dive. 
Pauline led the dive, and made sure we saw her specialty, nudibranchs (she
has discovered new species and has one named after her).  We also held a
crown-of-thorns.  The highlight was at the end of the dive.  We were ~30ft,
and a juvenile manta ray (~6ft wing-to-wing) showed up, feeding at the
surface.  Throughout our 3-minute safety stop, the manta was going back and
forth right above us.  Once Nancy completed her safety stop, she slowly
ascended to the surface, keeping her eye out for the manta, and it gave her
a “front-row” experience, as it headed straight at her, mouth wide open,
and only veered away at the last moment (literally 24 inches away from
bumping into her mask).  Our second dive was at the “AMTRAC” (Army
vehicle).  We descended to six green sea turtles down there.  Lots of
interesting close-up stuff.  The humpback singing was amazing down there,
and we kept looking around waiting to see a 40-footer fin by, but none were
visible.

”Back-at-the-ranch” reading.  Pauline sells (and signs) her books once you
return back to the dock in Kihei.  Her books are a great way to learn more
about Molokini and Hawaii diving, and reflect on this great sport that
we’ve decided to make part of our lives.

On the plus side.  1.) Safety – even though this time there were only
eight of us on board, they still did a verbal roll call.  2.) Dive times –
the exact opposite of diving in Grand Cayman.  No more large boats with 22
other divers, hearing “our dive profile is 100 feet, 20 minutes”, and
returning to the boat with 1900 PSI.  On MSD, you and your partner
basically dive your air.  So, if you’re like us (i.e., similar air
consumption, and very efficient), you’re in for a delightful surprise. 
We’ve had multiple 60+ minute dives, where you’re glad your air was running
out because you’re starting to get cold!!  3.) Dive groups – they try and
place similarly experienced divers together.  In this case, four-and-four. 
4.) The DM lights – each of the DM’s carry a monster 100-watt cavediving
light.  Great for seeing true color at 100 feet down, and in dark spaces. 
5.) The relaxed atmosphere – unlike Cayman operators (where you set your
watch on them getting you back before 12:30p), MSD feel relaxed and not at
all rushed, which is why you’re in Hawaii in the first place, right?

On the minus side.  Ascending on the second dive, realizing we were done
for the day, and wouldn’t have a face-to-face meeting with a humpback calf
and big mama.

E-mail me specific questions.

Hyatt Regency.  Stayed there five times.  Top level at Hyatt, so get
“Platinum” treatment.  Good Kaanapali location, five min drive to Lahaina. 

Questions?
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