Molokini Islet, Kaho‘olawe 2013 (Pt 4 of 4)

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Photo Gallery]

Before leaving Kaho‘olawe, we were told by the KIRC staff that we may have time to swim / snorkel off of the boat if we were able to clean up and pack quickly…

So after “quickly” packing and cleaning up the facilities at camp at Honokanai‘a, we loaded up the ‘Ohua and said aloha to Kaho‘olawe. Mike and the Captain were deciding on whether we’d stop over at Honoko‘a Bay (north from Honokanai‘a) or at Molokini Islet, while on our boat ride back to Maui.

Given the beautiful weather conditions, we ended up going to Molokini.

Molokini, a small islet in the center of ʻAlalākeiki Channel closest to Maui’s coastline, is a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) and home to large numbers of birds, fishes and other marine organisms.

Here, Jen and one of the fellow KIRC staff members look for anchor buoy’s below the surface of the water. It took a while to find one, since some of them had apparently been removed since the last time the ‘Ohua was here.

With the boat was secured, we were free to swim around the clear waters of the crescent shaped bay.

After seeing some of the guys take drops to the bottom (Alex on left and Eddie on right), I wanted to test the depth rating of my Outex housing for my DSLR. I had previously only taken it in about 10 feet of water back home and had no leakage, however in some wave surge, the housing leaked a little at one of the seams.

Even though the water was calm, I first went down about half-way without my camera, no deeper than 20 feet. I then took the camera down and snapped a pic, and surfaced for any signs of leakage.

It seemed okay, so I decided to take another drop to see how deep it was to the bottom. Guessing it was < 40 feet (the housing was rated to 30 feet), I took another pic 10 feet shy of the bottom. The inside of the housing still seemed pretty dry.
Just when I was feeling pretty stoked that my camera held up at depth, a couple large fish came into view on the ocean floor.

After first taking a drop with Ryan’s GoPro, “it looked like” a black ulua or ulua lā‘uli (Caranx lugubris) and a large ʻōmilu (Caranx melampygus). I mention “it looked like,” as I’ve heard ʻōmilu can have dark variation as well, as many fishes exhibit during courtship, spawning, aggression and different stages in life. I soon after dropped to ~ 40 feet with my DSLR, hoping all the seams would hold. AND THEY DID! 🙂

Along in the fish mix was a giant moray eel or puhi (Gymnothorax sp.), but I opted to not get too close… I’ve had some aggressive encounters with large morays over long stretches of water in the past, haha.

The ulua were actually circling the moray, which I believe was trying to fish out a tako or octopus in a hole. It would have been pretty exciting if the eel got it out, since all three of them would have torn it to shreds within seconds. Not that I enjoy seeing animals get ripped apart, but it’s just not that common to see these guys successfully hunting in their natural element.

Molokini was not all depth testing of gear and fish photography though… here, Katie tickles Ryan in the armpit while I snap a photo of them.

Fellow photographer, Haʻaheo, wields a shaka and a Canon 7D encased in an Aquatech housing. So jealous of his setup! haha.

The housing also has a huge dome on the front to take great “over-under” water shots, which just adds to the fact that he has a 10mm lens to capture extra wide frames. Here, I believe he’s trying to get a photo of Alex and some sun rays glimmering in the water… but his lens is so wide that I’m probably ruining the hell out of his picture. Sorry dude! >.<
Unfortunately, I can’t afford such toys like Ha‘a, and have to shoot with what I got. Somehow, I seem to get by, haha. 😉

Anyhow, after about an hour of being in the water, we had to head for shore. Several of the crew had flights to catch, but Katie, Ryan, Christian and I had an alternate agenda. After helping wash down and hanging up the boating gear, we said aloha to our new friends and were off to go holoholo for the weekend in West Maui. STAY TUNED for more adventures!!! 😉

Mahalo nui loa and aloha no to Michael Nāho‘opi‘i and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission staff for sharing their mana‘o and for granting us the opportunity of a lifetime. As it stands, the Kaho‘olawe Rehabilitation Trust Fund will be depleted by 2016 – halting the restoration of Kaho‘olawe. KIRC is currently seeking to secure state and federal funding, but appreciates any and all donations, no matter how small. Please feel free to contact KIRC through the links below…

The Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC):
– KIRC on Facebook
– KIRC Website
– Volunteer Information

So stoked to meet so many people and make many new friends! More questions about Kaho‘olawe or about my experience volunteering there?!? Just ask!!! Aloha and mahalo nui for visiting… Come back again soon!