High Season on the PAR

   After a week or so of bumpy water and cloudy weather, we finally had a beautiful day in Kailua with corresponding low surf.  After completing our chores, Sandra and I got our stuff together and went down to the pier.  Despite the cloudy weather, there is no dearth of tourists in Kona this February and the beach in front of the King Kamehameaha Hotel was busy.
 

Ahu'ena Heiau  at the King Kamehameha Hotel

    Of course, there was room enough for us to get in the water, which  at least in the inner harbour was really cold.  Swimming out as fast as I could, I scored a good, quick look at the Surge Wrasse that must live in the rubble around the breakwater past the heiau.  More and more, I am realizing that there are a lot of fish living in the rocks that we don't see.  This may be especially true for the surge wrasse.  Having seen him twice in this locale, I have a strong feeling that this unusual fish is a resident and persistent observation should yield a look.  And you can repair to your lists and check him off.

   Which brings me to another topic.   This January 1st I started a new list, the previous list having run for two years.  Curiously, this is just about the amount of time it takes me to fill up a checkbook register.  (I can't say for sure if the two are related.)   Regardless of household economics, I saw 107 species in January and with yesterday's additions, the list has blossomed to 114.   Curiously there are plenty of easy fish to be added.  This may in part be attributed to sloth on the part of the author.   For example, we have not ventured to Ho'okena or the city of Refuge in 2014.  But some

Surge Wrasse near the King Kam pier

species like whitemouth and snowflake moray eels have yet to be recorded.  It is my contention that they are hiding in the rocks, prepared to spring forth to add a bit of cheer when things look bleak.

    Well, let's see.  We left our hero and his lovely wife afloat in the chilly froth.  Off we swam across the small bay that fronts the luau arena and onto the PAR.  I was looking hard for Potter's Angelfish, having a strong idea where he should be found.  But he, too, is waiting in the recesses of the reef for things to become bleak.  For today, he remained secluded in his rocky amparo. 

    So on we pushed, me heading for the outer reef where long ago (from the perspective of the new list), way back in December of 2013, I had encountered the five stripe wrasse.  Sandra was following bravely, apparently without a clue as to what I might be up to.  Just as I started heading toward the distant reef, Sandra and I were separated by two kayaks and a paddle  

And she meets him on the bottom in a limo, Its such a funky scene.

board.  Never before have I encountered kayaks and swimmers in this location.  I mean, we were way out there; I rarely see even a single swimmer this far out.  The flotilla paused to disembark three snorkelers and then proceeded en masse towards the pier 200 yards away.

   While this was going on, Sandra , on the far side of the flotilla, was enjoying a brilliant look at a Scribbled Filefish.  As you may recall from the Very Funky Girl song by Rick James, "She likes the boys in the band,  Mr. Scribble is her favorite."  Suffice it to say, Sandra was in seventh heaven.  Beneath her, in the cold clear water, Mr. Scribble wobbled languidly this way and that, as is his wont.

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the kayaks, I swam over to the reef and started exploring seaward.  By the time Sandra broke off her reverie, I was nowhere to be seen.  She treaded water for a bit and then started swimming back in.

    Thinking all the time that Sandra was right behind me, I went on exploring.  I did not see Señor Cincos Rayas, but just as I was ready to give up a small school of what looked like crocodile needlefish swam close by.  I've never seen more than two crocs together, so I took a closer look.  They were darker than crocs and when the light reflected upon their flanks,  I saw the classic blue stripe of Heller's Barracuda.   What a treat!  The only place I have seen this species previously was Honokohau.  As we have currently designated that beach as shark infested, I had desponded of seeing Heller's Baracuda any time soon.

Heller's Barracuda at the Dog Beach.  Beware of Sharks.

    I watched this small school of barracuda (less than a dozen individuals) for a few more seconds and then looked up, hoping to point them out to Sandra.  Well, in the words of  PFC Gomer Pyle, "Sooprise, sooprise!"  And not a happy one, either, for my beloved swim buddy was nowhere to be seen.

     As Sandra had done five or ten minutes before, I started swimming in.   Full of anxiety, I stopped every ten yards or so and treaded water to look around.  The sea was quite flat, but the only thing to be seen was the kayaks, now thirty or so yards in front of me.  This mode of swimming was exhausting, but I eventually caught up to the kayaks near the entrance to Paul Allen's Lagoon.

    There was one chubby girl in a blue bikini paddling the lead kayak and towing to the second.   I had hoped for some interest in my search, as the paddler's visibility was far greater than mine.  However, I was doomed to be disappointed.  Now I ask you, what would you do if appraised of a lost swimmer?  Perhaps call out to your friend standing erect (hence commanding a wide view) on the rapidly moving paddle board ?  What she did was a give a cursory look and paddle away.   So much for the rules of the sea.

    The story ends happily.  Sandra was waiting at the end of the pier and called out to me as soon as she saw me swimming in.   And we were left with a variety of lessons. Clearly we need to be more aware of each other when we are in an area of congestion.  During tourist season one needs to be vigilant for unexpected confusion.  We need to keep each other appraised of our plans.  And we can't count on any help from the tourists.

Que sera sera.
jeff

Guantanamera is one of my all time favorite songs.   A great one to sing through your snorkel, especially if you are in Mexico.  Or even better Cuba, where the son originated.   I've included a link so you can sing along while you enjoy the lyrics which I have modified a bit to my own taste and situación.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFG7PKpRkO0

Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera

Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma

 chorus

Cultivo la banana blanca
En junio como en enero (como enero)
Cultivo la banana blanca
En junio como en enero (como enero)
Para un amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca

-Chorus- 2x

Mi verso es un verde claro
Y  carmin encendido
Mi verso es un verde claro
Y carmin encendido
Mi verso es un pes en la bahia

 Que busca un piedra amparo

chorus

Read more: Celia Cruz - Guantanmera Lyrics | MetroLyrics