How's the Diving on the Big Island of Hawaii?
An ongoing series of freediving journals by Rob White

Dec. 18, 2006

December in Hawaii is not exactly considered Ahi season due to the typical winter season cold-er (low 70 degree) water and maybe El Nino has something to do with it this year but the Ahi are definitely here. Fisherman have been catching and the market shelves are bulging with fresh catches so I guess NOW would be a good time to go dive in the deep blue.

My camera was fueled up and ready to film Bruce Ayau for the day. Accompanying Bruce and I was professional photographer Wayne Levin shooting Black and White 35mm stills. As I have mentioned in past journals, I enjoy diving and filming Bruce because of his consistency when spearing fish. I can count on him spearing something every time he dives below the surface because he simply doesn't miss. His patience allows him to pick the right moment to approach the fish and his experience allows him to pick the right shot to land it.

The usual early morning rise and shine led us to our first location and Buoy. The conditions were pretty good and there were no boats around, which is good from a safety aspect but usually bad from a fishing aspect because typically, if there are any fish swimming than there would be fisherman catching.

Laughing and joking as usual we took our time getting ready. But sooner than later the chatter stopped and the hunt began. The three of us bobbing on the surface like pieces of driftwood, we await for what our casted offering of thawed bait might attract. Several drifts past the Buoy and numerous casts of offerings yielded only a plethora of speedy footballs known as Aku. Until simultaneously, Bruce and I look to the side and notice a large figure slowly perusing the near-surface depths but well toward the outskirts of this visual arena.

An Ahi of gifted size carelessly perused the area beside us but no matter what we tried it just wouldn't come close enough for a shot. Finally, with a modified drift and a roll of the dice after wishing it well TWO beautiful Ahi came up from the depths to calmly devour the palu (chum). However, there was a problem. I'm in the water to film the action and the boat is quickly drifting toward the Buoy in line for a collision. I look to find Bruce who is focused on the Ahi and I knew he was going to dive very soon so I had to hurry. With all my might I pushed the boat with my one free hand and kicked as hard as I could to turn the bow of the boat away from the buoy. A few feet from the buoy and drifting fast I raced to the back of the boat and pushed with all the strength I had left, and just made it!

I look to find Bruce moving into position for a dive. I notice him glance over to see if I'm on the way but not realizing that I am completely winded and panting for air through my restraining snorkel tube. Just as I reach him he dives. I take a quick breath and dive to follow Bruce but the Ahi are about 75 feet deep and over quite a ways. Bruce does a beautifully slow descent to approach the Ahi as unintimidating as possible, but by about 40 feet down I'm totally out of air. I start my ascent but kept the camera rolling and just before I reach the surface Bruce fires and stones the Ahi!!! His timely, slow approach had paid off by getting a perfect shot.

We were all very excited but I was humbled with my inability to keep up with Bruce after pushing the boat away from impacting the Buoy. We had the fish but the video was not up to par with my standards, I was bummed. We knew there was another Ahi below but never have I nor anyone I have dove with been able to spear a second Ahi at the same location one after the other. None the less, we had to try!

Amazingly, with the first cast of palu the second Ahi appeared about 80 feet below. We quickly threw more palu and the Ahi rose to the surface. UNBELIEVABLE!!! There is something magical about a big Ahi close to the surface. It must be the rainbow colors radiating from the reflecting sunlight bouncing off the skin of the Ahi or it's just the fact that we rarely see Ahi relative to other species of fish and especially near the surface! This time I was ready and shadowing Bruce's moves with comfortable breath-holds. It took three separate, patient dives with Bruce picking his opportunity carefully to get a good shot. And it payed off. The second Ahi was securely attached to the spear and fighting mildly. It didn't take long before another incredible Ahi was secured and on the boat!

Two shots, two incredible Ahi! The first one weighted in at 50 pounds and the other 56.5 pounds. Look for the “Legends of the Blue” Volume III on DVD July 2007.

November 26 & 27, 2006

I know I just went diving a couple days ago but I was still eager for this weekend to dedicate two full days of diving specifically for a project. A film crew flew in all the way from New York to further a documentary based on an artist named Bill who is very involved in diving and hunting as well as any other high risk, adrenalin pumping, life threatening, limb loosing, head pounding, gear breaking, paramedic calling… sports, and they needed my help. Now that’s my kinda people!

The early Sunday morning’s light rays pierced the darkness of the underwater volcanic cave walls through a natural skylight above casting both eerie, bending, structural shadows and beautifully silhouetted images of tropical reef fish. Like a ride in an amusement park where screams of laughter are heard over music and mechanical devices, the same is imagined as clouds of reef fish pour trough a cavernous skylight with every wave that passes overhead then get sucked back out onto the reef as the wave resides, again and again.

While bobbing on the surface Bill and I would briefly discuss our spontaneous intentions like police before a raid; ok, you go that way and do this, I’ll go this way and do that! Ready? Ok. Go! It’s amazing, sometimes, how so little planning can create such incredible results when the elements of two individuals are at one with the sea. Something seemingly so difficult becomes so satisfying and effortlessly simplistic.

We tore away from our cave dwelling toward the deep ocean blue in search of what dreams are made of. After numerous location changes we ended this day with a long boat ride checking several deep-water locations to no avail. Our hopes for large ocean dwelling creatures lie in tomorrows dive adventure.

Tomorrow arrives entered with light winds and clear skies. Off we go with our crew of six armed with cameras, microphones and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches... oh ya, and one spear gun. The first encountered buoy location found a creature sporting a grayish/tan colored suit armed with numerous rows of sticky sharp jagged teeth, a White Tip Oceanic shark. Perfect, I thought! The film crew is going to love this. Little did they know my intentions were not only to film our slender subject but to get each and every one of these New York land lovers in the water with it! Ladies included!

I hammered out the shots I needed with Bill and the Oceanic. We freaked out the crew when Bill and I told them to get in the water one at a time. They were all like, WHAT, you are &%*#$%* CRAZY!!! Ya, we are... so what?

One of the things I like most about what I do is to see the expressions of people who do something they never thought they could or would ever do. These New Yorkers will live the memory of this day for the rest of their lives and touch countless others with their incredible stories of the encounter with one of earths most feared predators, the shark. Sometimes it's the simple things that make all this worth it.

November 23, 2006

It’s Thanksgiving day and what better way to give thanks than to go diving and realize, once again, how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. The traditional Thanksgiving dinner consists of a gluttony of palatable dishes to satisfy the most finicky of eaters and what better than to add fresh fish to the feast? Although Thanksgiving time is a time to visit with friends and family there are inevitably friends and/or family members who are no longer with us to share in giving thanks, so in many ways Thanksgiving is for those individuals who have passed on.

We are constantly reminded to enjoy our time here on earth because you never know when it will end. We are also reminded that we don’t appreciate what we have until it is lost. Although these statements are true and good as a reminder I would like to point out the things many of us do to fulfill our abilities as living, breathing, capable human beings.

The infinite joys of life are limited only to ones imagination, which some may consider their work, and others, their playtime. So as long as you are fulfilling your abilities then you are “enjoying your time on earth” and you are “appreciating what you have.”

My good friends Bill, Darlene and Julie have joined me for an incredible day on the water. My favorite part about this group is our simple appreciation of calm water and a sunny day offshore of a beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean called Hawaii. Just leaving the harbor brought a smile to all of our faces. Of course, the thought of what might be ahead inspired us to keep going.

My main objective of this day was to try out a borrowed video camera to make sure everything worked and to learn the different controls from my own. Diving the shoreline, we encountered numerous caves of all shapes and sizes. Due to the Big Island’s volcanic nature we have an amazing array of caverns where guided scuba tours are plentiful as well as the big fish and sharks that inhabit them. Within an hour we had surveyed the area and calculated and logged an abundance of marine life within our memories. Bill and Julie managed to keep their safeties locked on the spearguns in this high traffic tourist area. But the video we got was priceless.

Our next destination was F Buoy, which is about eight miles off shore and a 45-minute boat ride from our reef dive. One of the nice things about diving on a Holiday is the lack of boat traffic. We had the buoy to ourselves.

The current was moving good so we pulled well up ahead and jumped in. The palu (chum) drifted downward in a shimmering display of abundance and welcome, much like a Thanksgiving dinner for whatever might be in the area. A squadron of Ono comes speeding in head-on from down current. As our paths crossed Bill took advantage and speared the closest one for a fast and victorious battle. Simultaneously, two Mahi Mahi emerge a few feet behind my fins but by the time I gather anyone’s attention all I could see was their fleeing tails.

Julie had watched the action unfold before her. Bill had his fish but Julie was left empty-handed. Her eagerness grew with her focus. She was ready. We moved the battlewagon back up current and with Tiger-like stealth Julie crept into the quiet ocean blue. Fearless of the bottomless abyss and its many sharp-toothed inhabitance she griped her multi-banded weapon and held it tight beside her like a soldier standing at attention awaiting the battle cry. With intent she swam before us leading this triangle of three divers into battle. Her adversaries suddenly appear and dawn their razor sharp teeth and slender, missile-like muscular bodies about fifty feet below. Without hesitation, Julie tucks and dives to meet them head on. A battle is eminent. Bill and I look on in wonder clutching to our devices of his, destruction and mine, of documentation.

My device of electrodes, wires, glass and plastic encompassed by a metal outer casing protecting the device for future viewing as history unfolds before us. At this moment Julie is approaching several Ono, which are capable of cutting a fish in half with its razor-like teeth and tearing away at blistering speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Julie waits for the right opportunity… and waits… and waits. The Ono seem to be attracted to something she has or is doing and stop before her. Julie fires!

The entire regiment of Ono speed away, scared by the firing of Julie’s tried and true weapon. But one Ono is tethered to Julie’s speargun and it pulls hard to free itself. Julie has now speared her very first pelagic fish, ever! The battle is short due to a patient and calculated shot. Upon securing her catch we all celebrate and congratulate Julie in victory. But the day is far from done.

We decided to leave these disturbed waters for a more settled some. C Buoy was a natural choice in the course of virgin hunting grounds on this day, a holiday. Our arrival has deceived us to believe there would be nothing below from the lack of present fishing crafts above. However, we would be presently surprised to find a plethora of species tame and untamed. A cast of palu would arrive and be quickly consumed. Several more casts attracted much of the same but nothing worthy of battle. Suddenly, two Mahi Mahi present themselves ever so elegantly and simultaneously, one for each diver. Two shots but only one hit. I find the camera pointing in the wrong direction at the moment of interception but the problem is quickly remedied. I observe through the cameras eye as Julie has once again hit her mark and she has secured her caste metallic rod into another worthy target. An estimated 15 to 20 pound Bull Mahi Mahi is thrashing about trying desperately to free itself from this foreign object it is now tethered to. It jumps from the water and slams down through the surface, than shoots to depths of thirty feet and back up for another jump toward the sky.

I notice I am looking around to find anything else that might be taking notice of the struggling Mahi. My senses are telling me something is coming, and soon it arrives. A large Silky shark comes up from the depths to initially investigate the three divers but quickly turns its intentions to the excited and struggling fish. The Silky slowly follows the stream of blood than suddenly lunges forward toward the now frantic Mahi. Before, the Mahi was trying valiantly to escape its tether, now it was trying to escape eminent death from a familiar predator and opportunist, the shark. The Mahi manages to turn and dodge eminent death from the grip of the sharks teeth. For a moment the shark appears confused and looses track of the now escaping Mahi. But within three kicks of its powerful tail the shark has the Mahi firmly between its jaws. A few small shakes of its head and the shark severs the Mahi in half and immediately swallows the entire body of the fish, with only the head of the Mahi sinking before Julie’s eyes she helplessly stares. As if it can’t get any worse, Julie looks to her side and notices a large Oceanic White Tip shark a few feet from her and closing in quickly.

With a calm, purposeful delivery, like an artists brush on a white canvas, Julie raised her speargun and executed a subtle stroke to the fierce predators nose so as to not excite the animal more than it already was. It turns away and swims to investigate the remains of the sinking Mahi. The Silky shark has no patience for the trespassing Oceanic Shark and darts in to finish off the Mahi head.

With nothing to do but to continue fending off the two sharks, Bill, Julie and I swam circles around each other taking turns keeping the sharks at bay. Eventually the sharks kept enough distance for us to start swimming for the boat. Julie shared mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement for not landing such a beautiful Mahi, which would have been only her second blue water game fish but she was thankful to experience and survive unscathed from such a magnificent event of the natural world.

I think we all shared something this day that the four of us will never forget. It’s just another day in Hawaii. Look for the Legends of the Blue Volumes 2 and 3 video coming out sometime in 2007.

Peace,

July 9, 2006

Wow!I don’t know what else to say.Well I guess I could tell you the story. But since there might be kids reading this I will have to keep it “PG” rated. Nothing about this day was “the usual,” or “normal.” As a matter of fact it started off horrible. Have you ever had plans to dive early in the morning, let’s say 7:00 am, and your dive partner didn’t show up until like 7:30 am or even 8:00 am? So you understand how irritating that is?!? Well, we were scheduled to go out at 7:00 am and we didn’t get on the water until exactly 12:00 NOON!!! Why, you ask? Because SHE had to put on her make-up. Who is “she,” you want to know? All I’m allowed to say is “she” is a model and the girlfriend of my Producer buddy visiting from Canada. I have to tell you… it was funny pulling out of the harbor and watching men sprain their necks looking so intently. And when we were out at the buoys diving… the Charter boats and small boats that were fishing out there actually STOPPED fishing, pulled up along side our boat and stopped dead in the water!!! I’m serious! We just laughed and moved away.

Anyway, the perfect weather was a great start to the day. By noon, the wind is usually picking up and the chop makes for a rough ride, but it was as flat as could be… unlike our hostess. We made our way to VV buoy while our hostess, and the “twins,” bounced and screamed at every wave we hit. Well, we’re not lacking flotation devices.

I had warned my friends a bit about the sharks that have been hanging around the buoys lately so I jumped in first to check things out. I regretted not pulling the rubber bands on my gun when I looked over and saw a Mahi next to me about three feet from my head. I laughed and quickly loaded my bands. Diving about ten feet down felt like a hundred because I hadn’t warmed up yet… and of course now the Mahi was a bit weary. I concentrated the best I could to relax and not stair at the Mahi as I slowly swam in it’s general direction. I lined up and stoned it. Not more that a few seconds later another Mahi came in to check things out. I tried to pull the Mahi I shot onto the string, like you might do with a reef fish to shoot again, but it was just a little too much of a tangled mess to attempt this act of arrogance.

Instead, I boated the first Mahi than got back in and stoned the second Mahi using much the same technique and circumstances as the first. I was very happy at this point because we had some food for dinner and I was at least able to show the visitors our beautiful island, local fish and our beautiful ocean. But our hostess had one request, to see Dolphins.

I told them I had almost hand fed the Stino Dolphins last weekend at another buoy so I recommended we try there for her Dolphin adventure. This is where the fun began. We first pulled up to the buoy and chose a spot far away from the rest of the boats, as I often times do so I don’t bother the fishermen if he/they don’t like divers. I thought I had done something wrong when I noticed ALL of the boats were not only close to us, they were almost on TOP of us. Our hostess and the twins were displayed proudly on the bow of our boat. I just laughed and told them I’m getting in to check things out and I’ll let them know if I see anything.

Shortly after I began chumming the water a nice sized Silky shark came up for a visit but seem to disappear after a few minutes. I called for my friends to come in and check it out if they wanted to. For some reason they stayed on the boat. A few more drifts past the buoy yielded nothing but a plethora of ten pound Ahi and Aku. I didn’t really care because the main idea was to show them some Dolphins, so I kept looking and hoping something cool would show up.

I threw some chum and the usual parade of small Aku and Ahi devoured it like no tomorrow. As the chum was disappearing quickly I started swimming back toward the boat to throw more, but keeping an eye on the chum I notice the outline of a large figure, but DEEP. An AHI!!!

I turned around to swim back to where it was but stopped because I didn’t want to “chase” it away. I turned back toward the boat, than turned back toward the fish, than back toward the boat… I don’t know how many times I did this but it was frustrating.

I yelled to the guys on the boat, hay there’s a big Ahi down here, and asked my buddy if he wanted to get in the check it out? I quickly reached into the back of the boat for more chum and let it fly. It sank, and sank, and sank and nothing came up!!! OH MAN, did I miss my opportunity!?! Should I have swam back to him and try to get him the first time? I was starting to get very nervous but than at least the small bait fish started to show up.

My heart was racing faster than a Formula One racecar. Finally, the image of a mack-daddy Ahi emerged and he very slowly and very calmly swam toward the chum. I was trying desperately to control my heart rate at the surface but I could not. I was trying desperately to catch my breath but I could not. I had already missed the point of interception so finally when I dove I had to hustle to catch up. Then something strange happened.

I swam faster than I would have liked to down and toward the Ahi, and to my surprise the Ahi, who was already swimming slowly, seem to almost stop as if to take a look at me. I slowed my kick and decent so I wouldn’t cause the Ahi to suddenly burst away like Uhu’s do when they get spooked. It seemed as if I could have swam right up to the Ahi and petted it like a puppy but instead I fired just behind the head intending for a spine shot. It rolled over as if I just took it out of the freezer, stiff.

But that's not all!!! For just $19.95, a Donkey could have shot the HUGE Ono that swam right up to me right on the surface not ten seconds after I shot the Ahi. I contemplated once again pulling the Ahi onto the shooting line, reloading, and shooting the Ono, but naaa. I already had more fish than I could fit in my cooler. Going after the Ono would have been pure ego, but MAN was it hard not to at least try!!!

After taking some pictures we left the buoy to another location still in pursuit of Dolphins for our hostess. By the end of the day my two friends and I had fulfilled our watery desires of calm weather, great visibility and warm summertime water, big fish and fresh sashimi. The Ahi weighed in at 95 pounds. A dream come true for all at hand… even the fishermen we saw will have something to remember.

Peace,

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