An Adventure in Aloha Land

   It was one of those steely gray mornings that have become de rigguer here on the leeward side of the Big Island.  Madame Pele casting her sooty veil north from her home at Kilauea doesn't affect our plans and we

Gilded Triggerfish Ho'okena  May 2015

were heading south to one of our favorite snorkeling beaches.   The sad truth is, it requires a little bit of motivation to get us going.  Luckily, we had a guest that was interested in a trip to Ho'okena, our favorite beach, where the big fish play and a different breed roams the shoreline.   

    We got down to Ho'okena a little after ten.  It was two days after a major holiday and at this early hour we had the parking area, the tables and the beach pretty much to ourselves.  After changing, the three of us wandered down the beach.  At the end (where there are fewer shoreline rocks)  the wave faces were only about a foot, so we were able to get in with our gear without any problem.  Back in Kailua, the persistent moderate swell had produced some cloudy water.  Here the water was strikingly clear.

    Always hoping for another flame angelfish, we watched the coral heads carefully as we swam out.   

Gilded Triggerfish  Ho'okena  2015

 Sadly, they yielded nothing special.  Out in front of the old landing, we introduced Andy to the thrill of approaching the old concrete pillars as the water swished between them. There were needlefish hanging about and a single reticulated butterfly swam close by.

     Heading back, we still couldn't find anything special in the coral heads so we wandered over the sand looking for garden eels.  Andy had hired a couple of bad guides...we couldn't find the garden eels, either.    As we got closer to the beach, Sandra decided that she was going to head in.  It wasn't that cold, so it may have been that she was bored.  How sad it is when the reef reeks of ennui.

    Andy and I split up.  Immediately I saw a big Bridled Triggerfish.  I called to Andy who got over pretty quick, which was a good thing as those guys are shy.  And fast on the get away.  We both got a

Devil Scorpionfish  Mahukona 2015

 look at this light brown morph, a very rare sighting for me.  It is interesting that ten years ago this was the fish pictured in both Randall's and Hoover's books.  Then John Hoover switched and the very dark bridled triggerfish with the white caudal peduncle is the one you will find in his new book.  Jack Randall And the one that we usually see at Ho'okena.

       After humoring me by looking at the fleeing bridled triggerfish, Andy announced that when I called him, he was looking at a frogfish.  Well, I guess he knew how to get my attention.  We swam back over to the area where he had seen it.  After looking around a bit I asked him if it was yellow.  No, he said, it was the color of the rocks  on the bottom.  In fact, he wouldn't have noticed the fish if another fish had not annoyed it, making it move and, in the process, display the red and yellow on its pectoral fins.  Personally I was pleased that Andy had spotted, on his own, a Devil Scorpionfish.  I have seen my share of the Devil Scorpionfish, the last was at Mahukona just two months ago.  I certainly would have enjoyed seeing another.  On the other hand,  I don't know how long I would

Devil Scorpionfish hawaii.botany.edu

 have looked for the frogfish...we might still be there.

     Just in case you are unfamiliar with the pecoral fins of the Devil Scorpionfish, I'm including a picture from the internet.  I have yet to capture those flashy pectorals on film, as it were.

     Turning for the barn, I noticed a gilded triggerfish swimming below us, into progressively shallow water.  Soon it was only twenty feet deep and it was mildly cooperative when I dove for some pictures.  That is what you get to look at today.  

    Back on shore, we got cleaned up and spread out our lunch: some sandwiches that Sandra had thrown together along with some cheese and crackers.  As we were devouring this feast, we were joined by a young man.  He sort of sauntered up, checking us out from beneath a broad green headband that sort of matched

Auntie Sandra and the Two Bears

 his trunks.  Cradling a can of Bud Light , he leaned against the post of the shelter, watching us eat.  I asked if he would like to join us and he said something unintelligible and took a seat.  The sandwiches were pretty much gone, so I fixed him a plate of cheese and crackers garnished with bits of mango. As he ate, he made gestures of appreciation, noting that not only was it yummy (rubbing the tummy) but that this would make him big and strong (overhead flexing of biceps).  He also let us know that there were lots of mangoes to be found up the hill somewhere.  Perusing the table, he nabbed a leftover leaf of romaine and a wayward tube of mayo.  Big and strong.


     As he finished, he let us know that the person he had come with was out fishing, catching the big one if his pantomime of fighting a fish with rod and reel was any indication.  He was overjoyed to give a couple hugs and pose for a photo.  I'm not sure about my companions, but I was totally in Aloha-land.  And I hope I'm able to get back there again soon.

jeff