Hawaii, the Big Island

Dive Makai, May 1995, Donald Honigman. "Best Hawaii diving. Nothing beats the knowledge and the experience of Tom Shockley and Lisa Choquette. Their daughter, Kendra, is a new part of the crew. Lisa never fails to show unbridled enthusiasm for and extensive knowledge of the underwater life."

Dive Makai, May 1995, Les Garbis, Madras, OR. "That I've dived with Tom and Lisa more than 20 times should say it all. I'd just like to see them get a head on board."

Dive Makai/Royal Kona Resort, October 1995, Roger Roth, Cincinnati, OH. "Ambiance extends to their dive briefings which include a tremendous amount of critter behavior, info about juvenile, teenage, adult, terminal phase, and night markings. Lisa and Kendra could be heard squealing with delight underwater when someone found something like a dragon wrasse. Many cleaning stations with various cleaners, shrimp, and fish cleaning three turtles for over ten minutes. Lisa can be heard tapping her tank almost every three minutes to point out frogfish, dragon eels, and rare critters. I videotaped no less than 5­6 courting/mating behaviors in four days. Boat will handle 6­8 divers comfortably and each guide take no more than four divers underwater. Plenty of room for photographers. If divers don't have their own, computers, dive Makai will supply one with a thorough briefing. On a scale of 1­10, Dive Makai earns an 11."

Dive Makai/Royal Kona Resort, June 1996, John Crossley, Midvale, UT. "Lisa and her team of guides are the best I've seen in 300 dives. Excellent briefings and diving. They have a complete sign language vocabulary with complete sentences. They know where the critters are: three rare zebra morays, four frogfish on one dive (Lead city); cleaning stations for turtles; leaf scorpion fish. Five mantas on our night dive. Vis 60­100 feet; easy diving; limited to 12 divers and two guides. . . . Royal Kona Resort (former Hilton) very good hotel with excellent value."

Eco-Adventures, May 1995, Elaine Blank, Boulder Junction, WI. "Beginner or experienced diver can dive the sites. Diving is excellent, lots of lava tubes, caves, coral, and fish. During the winter humpback whales migrate. What a site to see one breaching. Mantas come in to feed at night and do barrel rolls all around the divers. Staff is great. Nice boat, big, roomy."

Eco-Adventures, July 1995, Rocky Daniels, Cotati, CA. "Minimal mother hen stuff. They set up your equipment (unless directed otherwise) and perform a final equipment inspection just before you get in the water. You're free to be responsible for your own dive profile and to some extent where you go. A major motivation for sticking with your guide is their knowledge of each site and ability to point out the hard to find. 100' vis, incredible quantities and varieties of fish, extensive corals in earthcolors. Effect is subdued but impressive. Manta ray night dive: spent about 30 minutes swooping over the lights and any divers kneeling nearby. In my case, two of the rays came within brushing distance no less than a dozen times each."

Eco Adventures, August 1995, Cheri Ortiz, Denver, CO. "Crew is unbelievable! They have great deals on air and hotel. Fantastic briefings on endemic species. Blue water dive was great. vis: 90­120 ft. water: 80°­81°."

Eco-Adventures/Royal Kona Resort, October 1995, Roger Roth, Cincinnati, OH. "Co-owner, Warren D'Aquin could find and keep out octopi by caressing them and keeping them comfortable. Briefings complete. New divers well taken care of and experienced divers given free rein to dive their computers. No rushing in and out of water. Even with 20 divers, plenty of room for photographers and dry gear. Good lunch after the first dive. If dolphins or pilot whales were observed while the boat was moving, the captain would move toward them for pictures and entice them to play. Guides good at pointing out critters from 1/4" cleaner shrimp on pin cushion urchins, to 1" whip coral gobi's, and other blennies to the frogfishes, eels, cornetfish, pipefish, and turtles."

Eco Adventures, January 1996, Kim John, Washington, D.C. "Called direct; their packages include diving, lodging, and rental car; got info to me fast. . . . Boat spacious: salon, head, freshwater shower, space to stretch out. Equipped to take 30 divers, tries to limit to 18. Split divers into small groups to suit up and enter in shifts. Captain Pat entertaining and great cook - served up some mean chicken and beef skewers on our long trip to the southern sites. Warren gave excellent fish id briefing with pictures. White-tip shark; turtle, lionfish; leaf scorpion; dragon wrasse, eels, nudibranch; peacock flounder; slipper lobster; candycane shrimp; white ghost shrimp; coral crab; banded coral shrimp; teardrop angel. Only disappointment: manta night dive. Anchored at distance from the actual site because the surf was rough. Current at 40 feet pushed us behind the boat and away from the site. Strenuous surface swim towards shore; churned about on the bottom with nothing to see. Solid "two thumbs up" for quality of staff, equipment and professionalism."

Eco Adventures, February 1996, Marianne and Jeff Daniel, Castro Valley, CA. "Great trip, good operation. Boat had a head, not crowded even when full, clean. Wonderful crew. Lots of fun, quite knowledgeable, lots of neat sea life, chose good sites. Kept profiles safe; deep first, shallow last. Full boat of divers got into water in an efficient way, without tripping over each other. Served sandwich stuff and cookies between dives. I'd have liked some fresh fruit. Had a Japanese-speaking guide for the Japanese divers. vis: 60­200 ft. water: 74°­79°."

EcoAdventures/King Kamehameha, February 1996, Lorri & Evan Wolfe, Colfax, CA. "Nice dive boat. Saw whales, spinner dolphins. Divemaster for every 4 people. Took care of our gear - rinsed and stored. Helped us on and off and changed gear between dives. Excellent sandwich deli tray between dives. Too many people. I like temperatures warmer. Water: 76°. Air 69°­76°. . . . Rode motorcycles, hiked, flew over volcanoes, took a dive off the Fairwind at Capt. Cook Monument, visit Botanical gardens and Akaka Falls. Use Hawaii entertainment book."

EcoAdventure, April 1996, Randy Heilbrum, San Francisco, CA. "Excellent staff, quality operation. Vis: 70­100 ft. water: 70°­75°"

EcoAdventures, April 1996, Nancy Bitner, Orlando, FL. "Pleasantly surprised. Dive guide made sure we saw the creatures we requested over three days of diving. Manta night dive wonderful. Eco Adventures stored our gear at night and had it on the boat each morning. VCR on the boat enabled us to view the video of the dive during lunch between sites. Staff pleasant and helpful. Only downside: colder water, 74 degrees. A 5mm was necessary. Wish we had gone the active volcano before beginning our dives. The 7,000 altitude prevented us from going the last day."

Hawaiian Divers, June 1995, Larry Cress, Tacoma, WA. "Before I booked I called to see if I could use my computer. I was told yes. Wrong! I had no freedom at all. I was herded on all dives. Have been diving for 14 years and do not need a baby-sitter. New divemaster brought us up 300 yards from the boat then the operator would point his finger at the divers for messing up. More concerned with getting back to the dock than providing quality dive sites. One day we had to wait two hours because he decided to change his engine oil on the boat."

Hawaiian Divers/Kona Seaside, September 1995, Gary Lentz, Joplin, MO. "Owner went out of his way to locate sharks. Former Navy Seal, he can find any type of diving. Boat great - clean well run, drift dives super. Went on manta ray night dive with only two divers, then led night dive after mantas left. Tanks always 3000+ - no limits if you know what you are doing. Excellent operation."

Jack's Dive Locker, February 1996, Allan Hudson, Caledonia, MI. "Manta night dive spectacular! Day dives were above average. Excellent and knowledgeable dive staff. vis: 70­80 ft. water: 75°­80°. Could use computer."

Jack's Diving Locker/Royal Kona Resort, February 1996, Jeff & Babett Burleigh, Otsego, MI. "Customer oriented, safety conscience and fun. Saw first whale shark, whales, dolphins, turtles and many tropicals. Jack's serves a nice lunch. Struck out on Manta dive (great display on our last trip). Excellent, personal service. vis: 80­120ft. water: 77°. . . . Royal Kona Resort booked through Jack's. Not the Ritz, but all the service divers require and then some. Formerly the Hilton; across the street from Jack's and on the ocean, although there is no swimming beach. . . . Kona more laid back than other parts of Hawaii. Given the number of creatures we witnessed, the great visibility, and the aura of the islands, we feel many divers sell Hawaii short unjustly."

Kona Coast Divers, July 1995, Michael Lejarza, Felton, CA. "Staff was professional and supportive of new divers, but did not limit the experience of others. The Manta Ray night was breathtaking and their orientation was excellent."

Kona Coast Divers, July 1995, Kathy Chase, Honolulu, HI. "Friendly safe and efficient service."

Kona Coast Divers/Billfisher, July 1995, Marilyn Broughton, La Place, LA. "Staff humorous, safety conscious, personable, friendly, efficient. Put our gear together and carried it to the boat each time. Manta dive outstanding and awesome. Professional videos top quality - bought three of them . Boats clean, functional, speedy, and easy to dive from. Good outfit!"

Kona Coast Divers, September 1995, Bernie Horton, Arroyo Grande, CA. "Boats were top and staff top notch."

Kona Coast Divers, October 1995, Jeff Ware, Cottingham, England. "Having dived in 5 different countries, Kona Coast Divers is the best operation I have found. Staff professional, relaxed, helpful and full of good advice. In-house video of your dives is excellent. Package that mix boat with shore diving is an excellent idea. 2 dive boats have plenty of space even at full capacity. Well worth going half-way around the world for!"

Kona Coast Divers/Kona Coast Resort, October 1995, William Schiffmacher, Edwards, CO. "Diving OK. Coral not as nice as Cayman or Bahamas. Fish life prolific. Best dive is the night manta dive. Lights attract large mantas (12' wingspan). Had 3 at once. Other sites mediocre. Saw turtles on several dives. The dive operation ran well. The boats were first class. The dive shop was first rate, but you had to be bussed to the dive boats. No storage for your dive equipment."

Kona Coast Divers, November 1995, Ann Van Goethem, Kirkland, WA. "Professional and organized. Concerned that divers were safe and had the best dives. Arches, caves, different or unusual marine life. Most sites offered varying degrees of difficulty so a beginner would be safe and experienced diver could be challenged. All the divers did not have to end their dive when the first diver ran out of air. The equipment was well maintained and the shop had a fully equipped repair facility. Took an excellent PADI photography series of classes from Bob Jenson."

Kona Coast Divers, February 1996, Howard E. Levent, M.D., Bakersfield, CA. "Night dive: divemasters placed lights on the bottom and we were to stand in a circle and point our dive lights towards the surface. Bottom covered with large rocks and coral heads; no smooth areas on which to stand. Vigorous surge, knocked over lights several times; had to hold on to coral head or rock to remain stable. Just short of a total disaster because of poor briefing."

Kona Coast Divers, July 1996, Rick Glider, Tucson, Az. "Go with dive-master or your buddy, diving your own computer profile. Many tropicals, morays, octopus, lobster, crabs, turtles. Viz: 70­100 foot. 4 people on small boat, 14 on larger; equipment efficiently set up for both dives. Dolphin cruised by at 35 feet. Manta Night Dive: lights set at 30 feet and divers form a triangle around the lights. Mantas glide in (6) swooping among everyone, busily eating plankton. Looking down the throat of an 8­10 foot manta, which swerves at the last minute to dodge you, is awesome. Down for an hour. A 24 minute video sold for $20. Reasonable prices."

Ocean Drifters, June 1996, Rocky Daniels, Cotati, CA. "Tethered drift dive with a float trailing the boat with a weighted downline. Clipped to downline are 30' tethers attached to each diver. The plan is to maintain a position in front of the downline until something of interest is spotted. This gives you time to investigate while the downline passes, takes up the slack in the tether, and forces you to move along. Dive was magical. Vastness of the environment, unchanging color of blue as you descend, tiny hull of the boat far above, visibility certainly over 200'. Focus on the close-up world to recognize that almost every speck you see is some kind of life form -amazing in their strangeness. Visited by a curious blue marlin charging up from below. It was awesome to see an animal in the 800# range, in charge of its environment, circling within 100'. On the way back to the dock Bonnie pumped us for details about the planktonic life we saw. By the time we were finished, she'd identified everything we could describe, explained its known life cycle, and showed us its portrait in her photo album. A highly recommended experience."

Red Sail Sports, September 1995, Gary Lentz, Joplin, MO. "Helpful to new divers. Divemaster interested in pointing out special interest features. Boat perfect. Rental gear near-new. Staff made a medium diving location a good dive. New divers monitored closely."

Sea Paradise, October 1995, David Lamb, Salt Lake City, UT. "Two dives cancelled; 3 people signed up, 4 are needed. Vis 80'­100', seas flat, current negligible. Boat was small, comfortable. 5­9 divers, plus captain and 1 or 2 guides. Extremely helpful; made sure diving was fun. Novices treated with care and respect; experienced divers were given appropriate latitude. You surfaced when your own gauge told you to, not with the first diver to hit 700. Located at the boat harbor in Keauhou Bay, 7 miles south of Kailua Pier, which most other dive operations use."

Sea Paradise, May 1996, Michael Bowie & Elaine Roberts, Ft. Collins, CO. "Excellent shore diving at Kealakekua Bay, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, Puako (Kohala Coast). Need rental car. Number and variety of fish as good as anything we have seen in the Caribbean. Arches and (short) lava tubes. vis: 100­200 ft."

Kauai

Bubbles Below, May 1995, Rose & Dale Holdren. "'Enthusiastic Critter Magnet' best describes Linda. She and hubby Ken ran a safe, fun, animal-filled dive operation that has kept us returning to this lovely island. Usually small groups (4­8 people) with guided tour. Monk seal, Harlequin shrimp, octopi, eels, lionfish, leaf scorpion, Spanish dancer, turtles."

Bubbles Below, July 1995, Gary Wenzel, Manchester, NH. "20+ mile ride to Niihau and Lebua Rock during the summer when the Tradewinds are down. 'Vertical awareness' is awesome! Begin descent by huge lava blocks, swim through crack in the wall to a great wall dive with many frogfish, scorpion fish, and others. Then head in the blue at 60 feet. wide plateau at 30 feet covered with a cauliflower coral heads; endangered monk seals. In a cavern off Niihau light filtered through a hole in the ceiling onto a huge white tip shark in the sand; it charged us, then stopped, showed his teeth and left through a hole in the wall. Linda and I froze; The sharks behavior was a first for both of us. 'Bubbles Below' has a genuine, friendly attitude and make diving exciting and educational."

Bubbles Below, July 1995, Les Alan Levinowitz, Brooklyn, NY. "Dived the Southern coast, out of Port Allen, in constant 2­3' seas. Owners Ken and Linda and divemaster Kimo were caring, accommodating, and highly professional. Distance and time no factors when it came to selecting the best sites. Set up own gear or having them do it. Gear storage not provided; take with you after the day's diving. All dives guided. A comfortable, head and fresh water shower never crowded, fast customized 30' boat. Orca computers and dive lights were loaned free. Surface interval snacks included candy and health bars, juices and water. First aid and oxygen on-board. Educational and detailed briefings before each dive. Big turtles, white tipped reef sharks, octopi, a 14' Spanish dancer, scorpionfish, bandit angelfish, Moorish idols, lionfish, frogfish, ghost shrimps, trumpetfish, triggerfish, swimming morays. Superior operation. $80 for a two tank dive - worth it."

Bubbles Below, September 1995, Joe Ingoglia, Sunnyvale, CA. "Ken and Linda insure everyone has a good time, from beginner to expert. No more than nine divers on a boat that could hold 16; advanced stay down as long as they wish. Vis: 30­80+ feet, current from .5 to 1.5+ km. Many lionfish, white tip sharks, turtles, black coral trees, eels, fish, nudibranchs."

Bubbles Below, January 1996, M. Rothman, Chicago, IL. "Only made two dives because of weather. Guides enthusiasm and ability to find rare animals in 20­30 ft. vis it worth the effort. Leaf fish, boar fish, Hawaiian turkeyfish, large turtles and a pair of harlequin shrimp made for great photos. Water: 78°."

Bubbles Below, January 1996, Roger Patton, San Rafael, CA. "Owner Linda's knowledge and enthusiasm for the ocean and its critters is infectious. Enjoyed each dive: octopus, turtles, sharks, and critters during the break excitedly explains their sex life, food chain and life cycle. vis: 40­50 ft."

Bubbles Below, February 1996, John McVickar Robinson, New Vernon, NJ. "Linda's grasp of marine life is awesome; warmly acknowledged in Hoover's Hawaiian Fishes for showing Hoover some of Kauai's rarest fish. The Bails' ability shines through by the way the dive is organized, briefed, loosely guided below. . . . Linda madly pulled me from the anchor line when I was below 600 psi to see a 8' manta gliding over the next ridge (this was after seeing a dozen 2­300 lb turtles, 4 white tipped reef sharks and scratching an octopus between the eyes as it was coiled around my arm); between dives Lynda had to be physically restrained from diving over the side: "Turtles having sex!". . . Boat leaves at 7:45, returning before 1:00. Computers provided (everybody has the option of tables). Bottom time 50­55 minutes on the first 45­85' dive, an hour on the second 30­65' dive. 30% of the fish are endemic to Hawaii which keeps the fascination level high; uncommon fish I saw: dragon wrasse, whiskered boarfish, longnose hawkfish and the Hawaiian Morwong. Good selection of turtles, shark and rays, numerous bottle-nosed dolphins, occasional whale. No colorful soft coral. Weather can be rough: In five trips in February, usually one or more days when diving wasn't possible. Water 72° (lowest is 69°) and vis generally 50­75 feet."

Bubbles Below, May 1996, Greg Gearing, Arlington, TX. "Super operation, small groups only. vis: 20­150ft. water: 78­81°. Very interested in making your dive exciting and interesting. Provided computers to anyone who wanted one. Good explanation on use of computer. They went to sites no other operators went to."

Bubbles Below, July 1996, Rick Glider, Tucson, AZ. "Hoped to dive north coast, but trade winds prevented it. Literature gives descriptions of critters you could see and, as if on cue, they were there. Took 6­8 people; 35 foot boat is fast and roomy. Thorough briefings, including pictures of what you could find. Towards the end of the dive you could go on your own.Outstanding job of finding little creatures; gold lace nudibranch, sponge crabs, turtles and lobsters, a reef shark, a school of barracuda "hovering" in the water, Hawaiian Morwong, ghost shrimp, lionfish, slipper lobsters, a crab and a Spanish dancer nudibranch sharing a crevice, and titan scorpionfish."

Bubbles Below/Aston Kauai Villas, July 1996, Jane Woodward, Boca Raton, FL. "2 tank trips; very professional, safety-conscious, knowledgeable about sea life, good boat. Saw lots of lobsters, eels, turtles, Diving from south shore - Port Allen. Viz: 70-80'. Aston Kauai Villas condominiums very nice but a long way from diving sites and port."

Mana Dives, April 1995, Steve Kent, Mead, WA. "Ken Lewis' is the best boat operator. His knowledge of life incredible. He and wife run with friendly personal touch. Allowed my 10-year-old son to come on the boat (no charge) and took him to calm bay to snorkel while we did a surface interval. The boat is not luxurious but comfortable - a warm shower is nice after the cold Hawaiian waters. Diving expensive - up to $90 for two tank dive. Ken helped us locate a few decent shore diving areas. Whereas most Hawaiian operators don't allow computer profiles (Fathom five was the worst - I came off with 1500 PSI with them!), Ken will allow you to use your computer within its limits."

Ocean Quest, June 1995, Gary Wenzel, DMD, Manchester, NH. "My son was certified during our stay. He became a very capable and disciplined diver, more at home in the water than many experienced divers. Personal and professional run dive operation carried out in the informal aloha spirit found in 'laid back Kauai.' At Tunnels Beach, we saw white tip sharks all the way down. With Ocean Quest, you are diving with family."

Sea Sports Divers, March 1996, David Fanfarillo, Locust Grove, VA. "Corals are small, but underwater geology is wonderful. Fish are many and unique. Volcanic structures stunning. Wear a wet suit. Sea Sports Divers great; Frankie and Rob were excellent hosts. Rent a car and explore the shore diving, especially tunnels. vis: 50­150 ft. water: 70°­74°"

Seasports, July 1996, Rick Glider, Tucson, Az. "Seasport, out of Poipu Beach runs a small 6-pack boat. They put your gear on the tanks before each dive. Backward roll off the boat. Viz: 40­60 ft. Many tropicals, arches, small caves. Sheraton Caverns has lot of green sea turtles. One day surge and current. Stay with divemaster first part of dive and then you and your buddy could swim on your own for the last part."

Lanai

Trilogy, December 1996, M. Rothman, Chicago, IL. "Very restrictive diving. Shore dive unavailable without guide. Friendly crew, helpful within the rules. Captain reluctant to take the boat to more distant sites. Dove the same site 6­8 times in ten days. Operation follows rules of 10 years ago: no provisions for computers; dives dove without them, swam quickly at depths under 60 feet for 30­40 minutes. Guides inflated puffers and excessively handled sea life. Experienced divers will be very disappointed, but good hand holding for new divers. Vis: 30­70 ft. water: 78°­80°"

Maui

Ed Robinson, March 1995, Jack Redding, Jr., Ft. Worth, TX. "Saw sharks and turtles, but little else. Molokini Crater was a disappointment."

Ed Robinson, June 1995, Jan Hendrix, Boulder, CO. "Great, concerned divemasters, Pauline Robinson. Great attention to detail. Loved her light! Overall, pretty sad diving. vis: 30­60 ft. water: 75°."

Ed Robinson, August 1995, Sally Bussell, Pensacola, FL. "Made arrangements for a 6 pack with no beginners, but put on a 15 diver boat with beginners who struggled with proper weight; told to wait on surface till everyone was ready. Divemaster in a race to cover as much territory as possible, so we couldn't appreciate the dive. Never explained the switch from the 6 pack."

Ed Robinson/Kauhale Maka, February 1996, Jeff & Babette Burleigh, Otsego, MI. "Diving starts at 6:30AM to beat the trade winds that arrive around noon. Friendly, competent operation running a six-pack and larger boat. Three tank "Adventure Dives" for experienced: includes backside of Molokini. Shark condos, shark hotel (both sites actually had sharks). Shallow dives loaded with lobster, frog fish, eels, turtles, manta ray and the myriad of an tropicals. Excellent apple fritters in the morning and Adventure Dive has deli sandwich lunch - soft drinks and snacks also. vis: 80­150ft. water: 77­82°. . . . Kauhale Makai is an older condo/apt. that could use upgrading. No maid service - something we were not aware of until we arrived. On the water west of Kihei; beach, pool and spa."

Ed Robinson, February 1996, Allan Hudson, Caledonia, MI. "Excellent diving. Service "tops". Staff knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. Dive boat was roomy and comfortable. Flexible for experienced divers. vis: 70­90 ft. water: 75°­80°."

Hawaiian Rafting Adventures, February 1995, Carole Pockey, Las Vegas, NV. "Taken to Lanai for most dives; routed out a few sharks and many small fish. Whales to and from every dive! Gave us best vantage point to photograph them. Weekly lectures by visiting researchers and video-graphers in his dive store. Snorkeled with the spinner dolphins."

Lahaina Divers, 1995, Helena Henkin, Palo Alto, CA. "For inexperienced and novice divers. They control all aspects of the dive. They tell you to sit down, put your fins on, and then they put your BC on. You dive with the guide who came up after only 35 minutes. We stayed down 10 minutes longer and upon surfacing were told that the boat nearly left us. Boat was so packed that there were not enough seats. Booked two Molokini crater dives. The first time we rode 45 minutes when the captain decided that the sea was too rough and turned back. Other dive operators dove there, however. Second time we dove the crater once after which the captain wanted to leave on the pretense that the sea was getting too rough. Twenty other boats (mostly snorkeling boats full of kids) stayed there for hours after we left."

Lahaina Divers, June 1995, Mel Butler, Claremont, CA. "Molokini Crater, Lanai/Cathedrals excellent for first visit, but to get divers to come back other dives must be developed. What they do, they do well, but these sites need a rest."

Lahaina Divers, September 1995, Ed & Lisa Schuyler, Hawaiian Gardens, CA. "Complete disregard for the reef and marine life. Repeatedly witnessed divemasters crawling along the reef, grasping and tearing at coral heads in search of a creature for photographers. Dives at Lanai; one in extreme current - ended up bobbing on the surface for 30 minutes trying to get attention of our boat several hundred yards away. Paid big $ for a night dive which turned out to be a shore dive rather than boat dive (had not been told), and had to carry own gear 100 yards from parking to shore. Still wonder what our money bought us, though, the dive was the best of the week. Just as good was snorkeling at local beaches and that was free."

Mike Severn's Diving/Maui Intercontinental, 1995, Barbara Allen, Cedar Rapids, IA. "Mike and his divemaster knowledgeable about dive sites; pointed out which fish and critters we would see and found them. Led all dives and let us stay down as long as we had air. Could use computer and could separate from him. White-tip sharks, eels, huge octopus, butterfly, other beautiful fish, lots of huge turtles. Helpful with gear and getting back into boat after dives. Boat small (no heads) but OK for 6 people. All gear washed off at end of day; gear stowed overnight. . . . Hotel not set up for divers - no place to rinse gear. Hotel staff carted us back and forth to our room with our gear when we needed help. We bought a chain and bicycle lock at K-Mart and chained our gear to the table and chairs outside our door (so it wouldn't 'walk' off)."

Mike Severn's Diving, March 1995, Howard M Karpoff, New York, NY. "First-class, a pleasure with which to dive. Guide's Briefings thorough, enthusiasm tremendous, pointed out all sorts of unusual creatures. Call in advance to book; 6 per boat. Heard whales singing continuously on 3 of 4 dives. During surface interval, a beautiful humpback breached within 50 feet of boat."

Mike Severn's Diving, May 1995, Mark & Gail Johnson, Kailua-Kona, HI. "Diving excellent. First dive off Molokini Crater, followed by a shallow dive off Maui. Jennifer gave excellent pre-dive briefings and worked hard underwater to make each dive interesting. If there is a neat critter in the area she will find it. Boat not well set up for getting into after the dive."

Mike Severns, June 1995, Julia Cardwell, Los Angeles, CA. "Molokini overcrowded. Great diving: octopus, nudibranch, white tip sharks, coral gardens, garden eels and morays - got to pet one. Pauline knowledgeable and eager to share her knowledge. Saw many things with her that I didn't see with other operators."

Mike Severns Diving, July 1995, Bill & Cindi Schell. "Enjoyed diving with Mike, Paula and Jennifer. They start early to beat the cattle boats to Molokini. Surface interval spent eating pastries, juice, chips, while Mike dove to do photography for his next book. The boat has no seating while moving, but the ride is short. Wish we had been able to buy Mike and Paula's book Molokini Island before we got there."

Mike Severns, November 1995, Michelle Goldman, NY. "Boat is tiny but it's a short trip to Molokini. Jennifer very knowledgeable - we dove Reef's End. Showed us incredible creatures and a small crab that lives in the anus of the sea cucumber, garden eels, a rare red frogfish and other creatures in nooks and crannies. Our second dive was Puuolia: Lots of turtles swimming, resting, scratching. An octopus in a rock laying eggs! Lion fish, slipper lobster and 2 frog fish. Unbelievable guide."

Molokai

Bill Kapuri/Pau Hara Inn, June 1995, Marilyn Koukol, Okinawa, Japan. "Bill Kapuri has the only tanks for rent and boat for divers. Harbor disappointing until turtles and manta appeared. Pau Hara Inn on the ocean. I had my room broken into and then a few days later I discovered that my passport, tickets, money had been stolen from the safe at the hotel desk!"

Oahu

Atlantis Reef Divers, 1995, Helena Henkin, Palo Alto, CA. "Boat ride used to push an underwater video aggressively. Operator also organizes Atlantis submarine trips and divers and sub are taken to the first dive site YO-257 wreck at the same time. Divers were lined up on the deck of the wreck to wave for passing submarine passengers and to pose for pictures. The rest of the dive was posing for the video."

Atlantis Reef Divers, October 1995, Albert Ammons, Vallejo, CA. "Dove the YO-257 at 90+ feet; ideal first wreck for divers. Vis: 80­90 feet. Waikiki Canyons so-so . Baby spotted morays, turtle. Surge with vis down to 25­30 feet. Ft. Lauderdale and Key Largo reefs and fish much better. Very short surface interval, just about violating PADI tables. That is problem with an operator with AM and PM schedules on same boat. Friendly and helpful staff. Crowded boat on Saturday (weekdays less crowded). Photographer used two knives to try to get an octopus out for divers, not eco friendly, badly used reef."

Atlantis Reef Divers, November 1995, Ron Vaccaro, Philadelphia, PA. "Lots of friendly turtles and lots of fish. Divemasters good at pointing out sea life. Only went to four dive sites. The boat out of Waikiki was big and comfortable and well outfitted with a good crew. Hawaii is expensive but ask for a discount and they drop prices 10%. vis: 50­80 ft. water: 75°­80°"

Beach Divers Hawaii, March 1995, Jim Shipaila, Grand Rapids, MI. "4­6 divers. Dove the-year-old wreck sunk off Waikiki. Atlantis sub came by with landlubbers on board and took our pictures. Good briefing, sandwiches between dives, friendly and good operation. On the second dive ran out of air. Divemaster James gave me his octopus. Very professional, no panic, didn't even get mad or chew me out."

Beach Divers Hawaii, July 1995, Skip and Cheryl Ramsden, San Clemente, CA. "Made me feel at ease; get on the boat and they take care of everything. Mahi Wreck 85­90 foot dive. Being a beginner I was nervous, but crew helped me get in the water and get to the drift line. Guided by a divemaster. Second dive was Makaha Lava Tubes. Turtle swam to me. Abundant sea life. Good crew that isn't computer crazy, but safe. Took our 9-year-old daughter along to snorkel. Captain James made sure she had a good time."

Island Quest/Island Colony, April 1995, Eric and Debbie Rokicki, Millersville, MD. "In Waipahu, 25 minutes from Honolulu. Caters to military and locals. Two tank morning and afternoon trips from Waianai Harbor - 25 minutes north of shop. Boat is 38'; comfortable, open transom. Makaha Caverns - probably the best dive on the Waianai shore. Great vis, many lava tubes, clouds of blue stripe snapper, big eyes in the tunnels. Diving ranks behind Kona and Maui. Staff friendly and helpful."

Ocean Concepts, November 1995, Michelle Goldman, NY. "Picked me up at my hotel in Waikiki, an hour drive there and back. Dove with Jeff, the owner's son. who buddied himself with the pretty young thing instead of checking who was experienced or not. One girl was on her 1st open water dive and he teamed her with me. I've been diving for 13 years but was not about to be responsible for her. He did a great job in coaxing her through her descent. We dove the Mahi Minesweeper and Makova Coves. Wreck was pretty good; resident green moray that we petted and spotted eagle rays. Makova caverns -held my first octopus. Pleasant diving."

South Pacific Scuba, June 1995, Chester Lowe, Los Angeles, CA. "Picked me up promptly and took me to shop for paperwork, equipment. New catamaran type boat; takes 12 divers. Dived YO-257 wreck; computer owners to go together. Others limited by tables. Then went to Turtle Canyon, 35 feet, four turtles; excellent."

South Pacific Scuba, August 1995, Steve Neal, Fairfield, TX. "Three different divemasters in 3 days. Nautilus sub came by 2 times and distracted divemaster from guiding us. One divemaster offered 24 pictures for $40. No one took him up. Turtles, octopus eagle ray, whitetipped shark. Dives led by divemaster. Took noncomputers up per table then rejoined us. New boat, never more than 7 divers. Fresh pineapple after dives. Oxygen on board."

South Seas Aquatics, October 1995, Albert Ammons, Vallejo, CA. "Mahi at 90 feet for first dive and second dive at Turtle Reef at 35 feet. Large green moray, spotted eagle rays swimming bye. More life than YO-257. Turtle Reef had turtles, morays, large Conger eel, one pissed off octopus. Better than Waikiki Canyons. Friendly and efficient staff. Mainly Japanese divers - 12 out of 15. Divemaster dragged her console along reef whole dive. Videographer used knife to flush out octopus for video. Is this a Hawaii tradition?"

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