Prince Kahooey Day

You got some 'splainin' to do!

    Last night I received a call from that noted shark hunter, Gail DeLuke.  She and Martin will be arriving to house exchange in a month or so and with that in mind she was interested in any changes to the physical plant and routine at Casa Ono.  However, the real reason she called was to pester

me about writing another blog and to find out if the ocean had warmed up.  To borrow a phrase from Ricky Ricardo, I had some 'splainin' to do.

    Rushing to my defense, I told her about the wicked dermatologist, the resections and the 5 flourouracil treatment.  As it turns out, Martin has gone through the 5 FU treatment, so they knew all about it.  For those of you who don't have skin cancers, this involves putting a chemotherapeutic ointment on your skin twice a day for two weeks and staying out of the sun for an additional two weeks.  I lasted five days

Prince Jonah Kuhio, the only royal representative

before deciding that the routine at Casa Ono was totally inconsistent with staying out of the sun for a month.  What was the dermatologist thinking?  So unlike Martin DeLuke, I have not completed a 5FU treatment.  In truth, I can not foresee a situation where I can spend four weeks in the shade.

    I also told Gail that between getting my skin cancers whacked off and starting the 5FU, I did go swimming.  I snorkeled the late Paul Allen's Reef, saw the coral croucher but little else, and decided that there just wasn't a blog in there.  She let me off the hook with a promise to try again ...soon.

The 45th President comes to the luau as the honored guest

   Which brings us to today, Prince Kuhio Day.  Starting in 1903, Prince Kuhio served as the representative of the Territory of Hawaii  to the U.S. House of Representatives and is the only person to serve in that body who was born as royalty.  He appears to have been substantially less dissolute than many of the royal males who preceded him.  That alone may be reason enough to celebrate his life.  In 1920 he introduced a bill in Congress to admit Hawaii as a state.  Curiously, latter day Hawaiians  blame the notion of statehood entirely on the white man.

    As an aside, I would point out that while Donald trump is a royal pain in the ass, he is not a representative.

   At any rate, the state celebrated both Monday and Tuesday as holidays, in much the same way many people take off the Friday after Thanksgiving, which the Hawaiians get as well.  For my part, I celebrated by allowing Sandra to take me swimming.   My sweetie is more than a little Hawaiian challenged and she has dubbed this holiday Prince Kahooey Day.  To be fair, there are way too many Hs and Ks in Hawaiian.  Sandra dropped me off at the pier and then headed to Costco where she 
would purchase a roast suckling pig for the Kahooey Day Luau to be held later in the afternoon.  

   While Sandra shopped, I went swimming.  Thus I can assure Ms. DeLuke that the water is not warm yet.  It was fairly clear, though, considering that it rained heavily last night.  Sadly, for the most part the clarity went begging; there was a prevailing paucity of friends with fins.  From the photographic point of view, I was reduced to taking a picture of a new swim buoy that has appeared about twenty yards beyond the last regulation marker.  This one says one third mile buoy and if one positions himself just right, he can get the buoy, the palace and the church steeple all in one delicious frame.  I'm not sure who placed this buoy and what might be the meaning of the cat.  Most cats that I know can not swim a third of a mile.

    On the way back in, swimming what we now know to be one sixth of a mile (does that have something to do with Pi?) I struck pay dirt.  In the shallows not far from the malecon I spotted a medium sized yellow fish that was not a yellow tang.  A bit of investigation revealed it to be an

Red Shouldered Tang, Adolescent  Kailua Pier March 2019

adolescent red shouldered tang.  Considering how common red shouldered tangs are in our protected bays, it is surprising how seldom we see their keikis.  The babies, which are more of an elongated oval are somewhat more common than these adolescents.  As you can see, at this age he has a very distinctive shape and the red shoulder mark is clearly visible.  If one looks carefully, one can see the beginnings of the two tone, darker in the trailing half, that this fish will wear proudly as an adult.  This fish was determined to lead me on a merry chase, dodging among the coral rubble.  Hopefully you will appreciate the fruits of this near drowning experience.

    At the suggestion of my proof reader, I am including a picture of the two toned adult red shoulder tang.  As this fish is so common, I rarely take her picture.  This one we found in a file from nine years back.  Paradoxically, in my files there are plenty of pictures of adolescents, even though I have seen less than a handful.

    Back in the warm car, Sandra told me that she had been successful.  The nice people from Kirkland, Wa sold her three dozen veggie burgers for a paltry eleven clams.  It is our plan to serve them in brown gravy and pretend that they are egg foo young.  Now what could be more Hawaiian than that?

    With any luck, while she is house exchanging, that devil may care shark hunter will consume a few of the veggie burgers.  It will be like veggie burger baksish on credit, the  next time I can't find material for a blog.

jeff

Editors note:  After the publication of the last blog we received a note from that world famous

Red Shouldered Tang Adult  2010 Kahalu'u

carcinologist, Bob Hillis.  He stated that as the lobster shell in two parts was essentially whole, this was most likely the result of a lobster molting.  If someone had caught and eaten the lobster, he said, the shell would have been crushed into tiny parts.  He went on to say that God arranged for the joint between the carapace and tail to weaken at this critical moment, enabling the disrobing crustacean to slip more easily from his shell.  Hence, the shell was tucked under our windshield wiper in two parts, as found by the lobster tucker.  Rather than calling this vandalism, Bob thinks that the tucking was done by some professorial type who wished to augment our knowledge of spiny lobster biology.  Further  (I don't think he was kidding about this, but they don't call me Mr. Gullible for nothing) he said we should have taken a good whiff of the shell, as a recently molted lobster has a distinctive aroma due to a chemical the lobster excretes to aid in the process.  Perhaps like a cross between a Crisco and WD 40.  Next time we will give it the sniff test.

jeff

Adios.

A Most Peculiar Form of Vandalism and the LSV 4

     At the beginning of the week, Sandra noted that bright and early on Thursday morning, I was to appear at Kaiser Permanente for my biannual dermatology appointment.  Biannual, as in this is happening twice a year, so we now what to expect.  With a high degree of certainty, Dr. Dangerfield is going to play whack a mole on my defenseless corpus with a variety of sharp and fiery instruments,

When my Dr. Dangerfield finds that mole, he's a goner.

rendering me a non-
swimmer for just under two weeks.   To put a silver lining on the situation,  Sandra suggested that we take a special snorkeling outing on Tuesday.

  And so we decided to head up to Mahukona.  Naturally I thought of my friend Peter, who had introduced us to Mahukona, and I sent hm a text asking if he and his lovely wife would care to join us.  He responded that unfortunately he had to travel on Tuesday to Kaiser in Honolulu for some un-named medical situation.  Are you noticing a pattern here? 

   And so yesterday morning we headed north.  As we approached the clubhouse turn at Kawaihae, we were surprised to see a landing craft, a fairly large ship actually, docked in Kawaihae harbor right where we have taken our swim.   This shouldn't have been a surprise.  It is well known that the army is conducting exercises at the Pohakuloa Training Area up on the Saddle Road; drivers heading for Waimea have been advised to expect delays associated with army convoys.  As my father served in WWII on a similar ship, we decided to stop on the way back and check it out.

    We arrived at Mahukona under sunny morning skies only to find the gate locked to the pier.  There were a few cars parked on the side of the road  opposite the gate and a gentleman who had just completed his swim assured us that the park was not closed.  In fact, he gave me his personal blessing to go swimming. 

The View from the Mahukona Pier.  Perfect Conditions!

   As we walked down the slope to the pier, Sandra recalled the Peter and Marla had mentioned this situation (the gate being locked).  At about this time, we met a small, wiry man with a wild white

beard.  He reminded me of Ben Gunn from Disney's Treasure Island.  With a sparkle in his eye, Mr. Gunn said, "You picked a fine day.  The visibility is a hundred feet!"  As he walked away, I could hear him talking to himself.
" 'Those that seeks can find,' says I".

   Soon enough we were plunging into the bay, only to discover that while the visibility was great, the water temperature was frigid. We swam across the bay, looking in the usual places and not finding anything remarkable.  I found myself taking pictures of rocks to demonstrate how clear the water was.  Before we left this north side, I saw an exceptionally beautiful oval chromis.  I dove several times, but he scooted to cover whenever I got near.

Milletseed Butterflyfish  Mahukona  March 2019

   We swam across the bay to the south, admiring the bottom which I think must be 40 feet down.  While we were out there, I was thinking back to what Peter had said a couple weeks ago, that they had run into several snorkelers at Mahukona that had swum with whales in, I supposed, this very spot.  But there were no whales for us.

   On the south side, I spotted a blue stripe butterfly bout 25 feet down.  Sandra and I swam a bit further out to sea in hopes of finding the milletseeds, which indeed were there.  Such pretty, clean fish, I had to try for a picture.  I dove in the opposite direction with the intention of circling back underwater, but right in front of me was a fan tailed filefish.  I took a quick shot and as I turned there was a yellowtailed filefish.  I told Sandra and she was able to see them, too.

    A few moments later I looked at Sandra and her mask was completely fogged; she had been experiencing a persistent leak.  This wouldn't do, so we headed for the shore.  On the way, I saw several more oval chromis and a pair of cleaner wrasse servicing a variety of fish.

 Spiny Lobster Mort.  A most curious incidence of automotive vandalism.

    Back on the pier, the gate had been opened and people were parking.  And frabjous day, the fresh water spout was in business.  All rinsed off, we made our way back to the car.  I grabbed my shorts and headed into the porta potty to change.  When I emerged a moment later, Sandra said, "Look what they did to our car!"  Nodding in such a way as to indicate the front of the vehicle.  Suffice it to say, my heart sank as I walked around, expecting to find a broken windshield or headlight.   Rather, I was greeted with a tufted spiny lobster.  The unfortunate crustacean had been broken in half, the better to extract his edible parts, and his tail and carapace placed beneath our windshield wiper.

   For some reason Sandra couldn't get over the horror of it all.  Both she and the lobster had been violated.  Not to mention the poor Honda.  I was just grateful that it was nothing serious.  All in all,

The LSV  Owned and operated by the United States Army

 I think you will go a while before you find a more curious bit of motor vehicle vandalism.

    Having survived the shock of lobster vandalism, we were soon heading back to Kawaihae.   As we entered the port we encountered a veritable convoy, jeeps, trucks, and objects on wheels that defy my ability to name.  Presumably they were all headed up to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.

  We drove down the gravel road to what we had up to now called the boat launch.  This slanting cement pad, perhaps forty yards  in length, had never really seemed like much of a boat launch to me.  The pad terminates at the water's edge achieving a depth of a scant few inches at high tide.  Just off the pad the water is about five feet deep.  And aside from a couple gargantuan cleats well up the pad from the water, there is nothing upon which to secure a newly launched small boat.  

The LSV 4 moored to all three platforms, lines running forward to the pad.

   Now all was revealed.  The pad was designed to accept the ramp that opens at the bow of the LSV and those giant cleats each receive a bow line, securing this large vessel to the pad.  The platforms beneath which we hunt for nudibranchs and sponges were now pressed into action; LSV 4 was tied up to the first two of those platforms on her starboard, or makai, side.

   Suffice it to say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here are a couple that demonstrate the
mooring and carrying capacity of the LSV 4.    

   After parking in the picnic area, Sandra and I walked back to LSV 4.  On the way, I met a group of camouflage clad soldiers, one of whom was kind enough to accompany me down towards the ship and answer some questions.   First, this vessel is owned and operated by the U.S. Army.  The

officer in charge of the nautical aspects of this ship is a warrant officer, a master sergeant given an officer's rank for the purpose of command.  At the bow she draws 13 feet and slopes deeper towards the stern.  Thus, while fulfilling the function of an LST, like the ship upon which my father served, she can not run up on a beach and land tanks, trucks, what ever.  Below her decks, upon which are kept a myriad of wheeled or treaded vehicles, are the crew's quarters.  As far as my new friend was aware, this vessel had been used exclusively to transport the army from Oahu to the Big Island.  However, she is capable of projecting overseas power...to Venezuela, as an example.

    We finished off our visit by having lunch among the soldiers as they lounged around the seaside park.  They were dressed in full camo, probably not what they would wear to the beach, given a choice.  However, it was beautiful, cool day, best weather on the planet.  Not bad duty for March.  All the while I was wondering if the LSV 4 and her company would remain in Hawaii for the foreseeable future.

Your humble correspondent and Lt. Golkowski of the LSV 4

The convoy leaves Kawaihae, photo SKG

Transfiguration Sunday and the Devil (Scorpionfish)

Moses, Jesus and Elijah.  Go Transfigure.

   Yesterday was Transfiguration Sunday.  We were unaware of the day until Pastor Brian revealed this  piece of liturgical trivia in his sermon down at the Lutheran church.  Yes, Martin, we are Lutherans now, at least after a fashion, having abandoned the Samoan Methodist Alliance over a dust up involving a pagan necklace dedicated to the god Mammon.

    It was a glorious Sunday, cool and clear, and one would have been forgiven if the view of the Kona Coast out of the window of the church was a little distracting.  That sunny view with palm trees and all must have been especially attractive to the Lutherans visiting from Minnesota.  At this time of year there are so many that Sandra wonders if there is a non-stop from Minneapolis to KOA.

Backstage. Delaney (center) as Sophie. Courtesy of Aloha Theater

   Did you know that when Moses received the Ten Commandments his face glowed to such an extent that he frightened the Israelites and, as a consequence, had to wear a veil?  This glowing visage was, I believe (for this part was curiously not tied together during Brian's typically excellent sermon), adopted by Jesus 2,000 years later.  Hence the Transfiguration.

    Church is good, but the after the service snacks, aka fellowship, can be pretty spectacular.  Say what you will about the Lutherans, but you can't deny their baking abilities.  Out on the lanai, coffee and pastry in hand, I cornered Delaney.  Delaney, the daughter of our pianist, is a graduate of Columbia in musicology, and is currently starring in the Aloha Theater's production of Mama Mia.  She is really good in the role of Sophie, the girl who (spoiler alert) doesn't get married. More important than her singing and dancing, at least in this context, she is willing to talk to an old goat without outwardly appearing to be plotting an escape.  It may be noted that I have had that effect on women, (How quickly can I extricate myself from this situation?) long before I became an old goat.

Devil Scorpionfish  Kahalu'u  March 2019

   We chatted about her acting, her ambition to garner a PhD at Harvard, and my having parked a car in Harvard Yard, which is as close as I ever got to attending that bastion of veritas.  As Delaney has no interest what so ever in fish identification, I encouraged her to read the blog.  And she sort of promised that she would.  Suffice it to say, if she reads this blog I will hear about it!  At least she has a good sense of humor.  I hope.

   At this point Sandra decided that I had enjoyed my fill of spiritual nourishment, Scandinavian bake goods and young female companionship and said, "Gee.  Isn't it time to go snorkeling?"  Or words to that effect.  After exchanging our liturgical duds for snorkeling attire, we soon found ourselves back at Kahalu'u.  This Sunday represented a break in the high surf conditions and I was determined to give old K Bay a second chance.  In the meantime, I had embarked on a beard trimming project, removing roughly a quarter in of mustache south of my nose, in hopes of providing a mask fit.  One sinus wash per week is my limit.

    As I was getting ready to take the plunge, and Sandra was setting up her beach chair in a prime shelter location, I somehow managed to strike up a conversation with a sweet young thing perched upon the adjoining table.  As she wished me a good swim I think I could hear Sandra mutter, "Mama mia, here we go again."

Broad Fronted Crab  X. latifrons, Kahalu'u March 2019

   Happily the water possessed less current and slosh than a few days previous and my mask was leaking only an acceptably small amount.  

     Early on I spotted a Devil Scorpionfish. He was only two feet deep and tolerated numerous photographic passes.  You will note from the pictures that he was on the shady side of the street, or coral head as the case may be.   And so, like the field of the Rose Bowl as we enter the third quarter, he was half in and half out of the shadows.  With luck, you will find the effect dramatic.  Or perhaps you will just find it annoying.   

   As I was preparing to bid El Diablo a fond farewell, A large lady came along bearing two cameras.  I was able to attract her attention and got her hooked up with the scorpionfish.  I was pretty sure that was the best thing I would see on this outing and its always nice to be able to share a good find.

Broad Fronted Crab, Courtesy of  Kaleo Wong

    I swam around the area in front of the now demolished hotel, which is sometimes quite productive, and then made a turn up the middle.  Investigating the coral on the left, which ascends almost four feet from the bottom, I spotted a small crab deep in one of the crevices.  He was hiding under a small coral outcropping, but when first noticed, I had a good quick glimpse at half of him.  And as the old saying goes, half a crab is better than none.  My impression is that he was an inch or so across the carapace, a rich mahogany brown and had several distinctive white stripes on his legs. 

    I took four dives at him, attempting to photograph this small animal while he cowered under the overhang.  I am including my best effort, which at least gives a pretty good look at those dramatically banded walking legs.  Recently I have found a new tool in my Corel photo processor: fill in light and clarity.  It lives in the same box with my old friends brightness and contrast.  FIL&C is an amazing tool and did much to help me bring you those banded gams which provide some photographic documentation for my life crab. 

I like  the whole nut, sheriff.   

   For those of you, who like Dom De Luise in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, like to see the whole nut, I am including the only picture I could filch from the internet that looks like what I saw.  In Hoover's Sea Creatures there is a less than perfect picture, although it is good enough to verify my identification.  Curiously, if one searches the internet, there are several pictures of  Xanthias latifrons, but this is the only one that was remotely like what I saw.  There are green crabs, spotted crabs, crabs with no bands on their legs.  John Hoover's description is right on: dark maroon carapace...Bright white bands adorn the legs.  Go transfigure.  




     At this point, with the fine look at the Devil Scorpionfish and a life crab to show for my outing, what right did I have to expect anything else?  It was proving to be a pretty good day for critters, though, and I was keeping my eyes open when I came upon a small Evermann's coral, its central compartment hosting a cleaner wrasse that was working on a black durgon.  This was in shallow,

clear, calm water.  What an opportunity.  As I was readying the camera, the durgon stood aside and the cleaner wrasse proceeded to service a four spot butterflyfish.  I snapped away and you get to enjoy the best of these pictures.  I think its a dandy.

   Sandra greeted me as I exited the water, offering a helping hand as I crossed the rocks of what used to be the sand entry at K Bay.  Right away she told me that she had made friends with my nubile acquaintance.  The girl was really nice, my beloved reported.  She said she was from Utah. When Sandra mentioned that our friends Bob and Kim Hillis live in St. George, Utah, the young lady remarked that they were lucky to live in such a pretty place.  And then she allowed that she actually lived on Vancouver Island.  Go transfigure.

jeff

A few days ago Sandra and I enjoyed this look at the palace and the Mokuaikaua Church from the south.