The Winter of the Big Surf

Kailua Nights

   In late January, Sandra and I took a quick trip to Portland to visit our growing family.  While we were gone, the Kona Coast experienced some huge surf.  A friend sent me a  link showing killer waves reaching the third story of the Sea Village condo, where I watched the Huskies win the Orange Bowl and a slice of

Flying Gurnard  Kailua Bay  February 2015

the National Championship.  Lucky for me that day was January 1, 1984. Just imagine how wet the familia Hill would have been if it was January 2015!  I regret that I can not share this clip with you, as it has been removed by the (spoil sport) poster.  Take my word for it.  The waves were crashing more than 40 feet up the side of the building!

    Even though you can't see the video, you can see the effects of this period of monster surf all along the Kona Coast.  The sandy entrance at K Bay has been washed away.  My tips on entry are more pertinent than ever...assuming that you have tender feet...like me.

    And how about the woman that incinerated herself and her ex at Kahalu'u a few days ago?   Succussfully stalking her estranged husband and his special ladyfriend, parked harmlessly on Alii drive above K Bay, she started pouring gasoline on their car.  When the  ex got out to confront her, she switched to Plan B: soaking them both and flicking her Bic.  Whoosh!

Pinktail Triggerfish,  Kahalu'u  2015

   I guess you don't need to be concerned for your safety, as she is safely ensconced in the burn center at Straub on Oahu.  And not to worry, Kailua's finest called in OSHA to make sure that any residual petroleum did not endanger our friends with fins.  But I digress.

    On one of the seemingly innumerable high surf days we went to Beach 69.  The beach where we love to camp out in the shade apre snorkel has been largely reduced to rocks, with a large rocky berm barring your access.  This big surf was a big deal.

     In spite of all the high surf, we have found some breaks to get in some snorkeling.  My best find has been  a juvenile gurnard in the shallows at the  pier.  I'm also including here pictures of pink tail triggerfish and elgant coris taken at Kahalu'u prior to the

Elegant Coris  Kahalu'u 2015

 conflagration.  although we haven't seen Paul Allen this winter, his reef seems to have survived the surf.  On a recent outing, we saw this scribbled filefish lurking beneath an overhang of lava.

    Perhaps the biggest news is that I have survived another birthday.  My  nadar cumpleaños on the Ironman side of the pier did not reveal much in the way of interesting fish.  But it at least reaffirmed that I am still able to get in and out of the sea. There were lots of young tourists around marveling at a green sea turtle; the next generation of fishwatchers in the making.

jeff  

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