Maui Snorkeling Trips

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

The blue trevally is a beautiful animal usually seen in small schools.  In ancient Hawaii, as said in a previous posting, the ulua of many species in the family were substituted for human sacrifice when humans were not available, according to Mary Pukui, the author of the Hawaiian Dictionary.

These fish are predators, eating small fish, crustaceans and mollusks they find in lagoons, near shore, off sandy shallows, and in deeper waters as well.  They can grow to 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) and weigh up to 8,000 g (17.5 pounds approx.).  This fish is, and always has been, an important food fish, but recently there have been reports of ciguatera, making the meat questionable.  For local fishermen, including the ones this author has interviewed, many carry ciguatera testing kits to use just to be safe.

Just what is ciguatera?  Since we’ve been asked to add this information in a posting, I will take the time now.  It has an interesting origin.  According to Wikipedia the illness was named and identified in the early 1800s in Cuba.  According to local folklore, an Englishman on the Isla de Piños caught and consumed a barracuda, after which he became very ill.  When asked about it he claimed he had “eaten a fish from the seawater”.  The word ‘ciguatera’ came from the translation of the word ’seawater’ in Spanish.  Captain Cook also mentions the illness when in New Caledonia.  In northern Australia where this illness frequently pops up, it is said that if you were to place a contaminated piece of fish out and flies won’t land on it, then you know.  Although this is interesting, there is no scientific research to back this claim.  After eating a contaminated fish research shows the patient will have flu-like symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, hallucinations, and in some, a burning sensation when coming in contact with cold.  This illness can be transferred through breast milk to an infant.  The symptoms can last from weeks to over 20 years.  Even after getting better, experts say the symptoms can reoccur triggered by consuming nuts, alcohol, chicken, fish, eggs, or even by coming into contact with bleach.  According to science, currently there is no effective treatment, or cure, for ciguatera.  All doctors can do is help with treating the symptoms, such as vitamins for fatigue, saline for dehydration, and steroids have also been used.  

Ciguatera is reported from eating of tropical fish only, the Caribbean and Pacific oceans having the most reported cases.  Some researchers believe this stems from smaller reef fish eating chemically laden algae, thereby transferring these toxins to larger fish who preyed on the reef animals.  There is much research being done and perhaps we will have more conclusive answers in the near future.  If you are worried about consuming a toxic fish, please go to www.http://fishbase.org and look up the type of fish you enjoy most.  This website is wonderful and has up to date information.

Snorkeling in Hawaiian waters is a very enjoyable experience, and the chance of seeing blue trevallys is very good.  The smaller schools travel reefs frequently, scoping out their next dinner plan.  Ready?  Let’s go!  The water temperature around Hawaii right now is abou 76 - 78 degrees.  It’s a bathtub.  The biggest one on the planet!

Photo Courtesy fishbase.org/Flescher, D

The ancient Hawaiians called the young of this fish aha aha, and the mature needlefish aha.  This author couldn’t find much on the importance of the needlefish, but surely it was eaten, and still is.

The flat needlefish is seen in worldwide tropical and temperate oceans including the east and west Atlantic oceans, Bermuda, north Gulf of Mexico, throughout the Indian Ocean, Japan Ocean, east and west Pacific and as far south as Brazil.  Wow, they get around, don’t they?  Interestingly, their meat is green tinted, so although they are seen in markets and sold frozen, salted, or smoked, the needlefish is not sold in mass quantities.  Their maximum recorded size is 140 cm, (55 inches) and weight of 4800 gm, (10.5 lbs.).  Needlefish can be seen in small schools or solitary and feed on small fish.  Although they are seen in river mouths or estuaries, they seem to prefer island waters.  These fish attach their eggs with filaments to other objects like corals, mooring lines, piers, etc.

Snorkeling while in Hawaii is most certainly a joy and small needlefish may swim closer and gently tap on the mask of a curious snorkeler.  We know fish like to people watch occasionally, but the needlefish can be especially fun!  Don’t forget your camera!!

Photo Courtesy Gloerfelt-Tarp/fishbase.org

What the heck is that?  That was the first reaction this author had when seeing this picture.  Next question that came to mind was “where is the mouth?”

Researchers named this unusual fish the Coffinfish.  It is in the Seatoad Family and the Order of Anglerfish.  What a cutely bizarre fish and a highly unusual name!  Researchers tell us they grow to about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) in length.  There is no information on what they eat, but one very interesting piece of information is they are seen around the new island forming underwater SE of the Big Island of Hawaii.  The little seamount, courtesy of Madam Pele, the fire-goddess of creation, is called Loihi.  Volcanologists predict this active volcano will break through the surface of the ocean in about 1,000 years, give or take a few hundred, in the very warm water and in depths of 500 meters (1640 feet) to a whopping 1985 meters (6512 feet)!   The Coffinfish is known to be in deep waters of Indo-West Pacific:  Japan to Kyushu-Palau Ridge, Australia and Indonesia; Chesterfield Islands.  What a perfect name for a little fish with Frankenstein stitching decorations!  

Snorkeling in Hawaii is full of amazement, even if we do not get to see deep water species.  There are anglerfish in shallower waters we can look for and we will discuss these in future postings.  Keep checking back and Happy Halloween!

Photo Courtesy P. Asman, fishbase.org

The ancient Hawaiians called this fish kîkâkapu (kapu means forbidden).  In those times this fish was considered sacred and is mentioned in many chants.  No one was allowed to catch, eat, or have anything to do with this cute and special butterflyfish.

They are usually in pairs, says Dr. Randall, and they may mate for life.  Their beautiful yellow and black color patterns are quite vivid.  The largest they are known to grow to is about 7.8 inches.  They feed on hard and soft corals, but also eat worms, crustaceans, and algae.  The juveniles are identical to the adults.  The butterfly family is important to the aquarium and collector’s industries making them very vulnerable to being decimated from our oceans.  Most naturalists and biologists feel these and others should be protected from aquarium trade.

Will the average snorkeler and diver be able to find these adorable animals?  Absolutely!  Sometimes they are seen in huge schools while providing an excellent splash of color on the reefs.   Most butterflyfish can be found in quite shallow areas and as deep as 197 feet, according to Dr. Randall.  One of the great things about seeing these cute fish that I love is they will have you smiling!

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

Oh, my, isn’t this the cutest fish ever?  Growing to a mere 2.8 inches at the most, the little blenny is adorable!  There are over 300 species of these small and agile bottom-dwelling fishes.

The ancient Hawaiians called them pâo’o, and were fully aware of their ability to skip from rock to rock, and were discussed extensively in some legends.  They also were considered ‘aumâkua, or family god, by some.

Dr. Randall says there is one subspecies from Hawaii and Samoa to Nicobar Islands, and another from Australia.  They are also observed in brackish water and very shallow tidepools.  It is known by experts that these little ones do not have scales and many have cirri, or small tentacles, on their heads.  Most researchers call blennies rockskippers.  These fish like to take refuge by backing into holes in the reef.  The fangblennies (Plagiotremus) are known to make a quick attack on other fishes to remove skin tissue and mucus, which they do with small incisiform teeth.  Fangblennies have also been known to attack divers, but since they are so small they cannot cause any damage.  Two species have a pair of curved, enormous canine teeth, which are located at the front of their lower jaw.  Researchers tell us that not too many other types of fish eat blennies and they are still quite plentiful.  It is always nice to know of any species doing very well.

When they reproduce, they lay demersal eggs and the male is the one who guards.  How much cuteness can we stand?  Will the snorkeler in Hawaii see a blenny?  The chances are really good that an observant snorkeler, or diver, will see and maybe even photograph this cute, under 3 inch fish.  Bring your camera, and let’s go.  I’m ready when you are! 

Photo Courtesy NOAA

The Frigate Bird was called `Iwa, meaning thief, by the ancient Hawaiians.  They watched and learned about all living things and knew this bird was very good at bullying other seabirds enough they would drop their meal and the frigate bird would swoop down and take it.  But, it wasn’t always freshly caught prey.  These birds know if they scare the other sea bird enough they will disgorge.  (eeewww!)  They are also seen catching flying fish when they leave the water.

According to Hawaiian language expert, Mary Pukui, the frigate was also called the man-of-war bird.   The name `Iwa (said ‘eeva’) was used for a handsome person who held attention with their presence, and the same name was used for a native fern whose stems were used for hat making.

The frigate bird can grow to an impressive 7.5 feet across, females being larger than males for most global populations.  They also have the highest ratio of wing to body mass and are very light, for a large bird, weighing in at four pounds or less.  According to studies, the frigate has a wide distribution over tropical seas, but Hawaii is the northernmost area they are seen in.  There are more than 10,000 nesting pairs in the Northwestern chain, and others have chosen Molokini off Maui as a place to nest.  Molokini is a ‘tuff’ cone, or vent for Haleakala (a dormant volcano on Maui), and a protected marine reserve.  Males have a scarlet chest, which they expand enormously during courtship, and the female has a very white chest.  Nesting period seems to be summertime through to December on Molokini.  There the birds are seen in great numbers.

If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, and Maui in particular, please plan on a snorkeling trip to Molokini where you will be able to witness, first hand, the massive frigate bird in silent flight overhead.  This is a site you will never forget!

Photo Courtesy NOAA.gov

Everybody loves dolphins, and we are always asked “will I see one?”.  Many species of dolphins live in Hawaiian waters year around, but the channels are quite large and there is no company that should be guaranteeing dolphin citings, however, if you go on the water your chances are really good that you may see a dolphin or two, or maybe even more than 100. 

Ancient Hawaiians called dolphins nai’a, although another word nu’au for porpoise was also used.  Interestingly, there are no porpoise in Hawaiian waters, but there are around Australia, New Zealand, and possibly the Marquesas and other parts of the South Pacific.  Nu’au may have come from south of the equator and is rarely heard in Hawaii.  This author could find no references to the eating of marine mammals in any form, at least not in Hawaii.  Many Hawaiians chose the dolphin as a family god, or `aumâkua.  The differences between dolphin and porpoise are physical.  Teeth of dolphins are conical, whereas porpoise have spade shaped teeth.  The snouts, or rostrums, of dolphins are longer, especially so with spinners (above photo), and rostrums of porpoise are quite blunt.  Dorsal fins are also very different.  On porpoise they are very triangular and short, dolphins have sickle shaped and falcate (curved back) dorsal fins.

It is no secret that dolphins are very intelligent, curious, and also one of the top predators of the ocean.  Predator?  Isn’t that a fun fact!  When predator is said the usual image of sharks may come to mind, but imagine having the intelligence of a dolphin, the ability to echolocate, and the swift ability to grab prey out of the ocean floor or mid water.  Dolphins enjoy eating a myriad of fish and crustaceans.  Depending on the species, they may eat just at night (spinners), or any time (bottlenose).  Spinner dolphins are known for their full bodied spins and flips above the surface, which, according to researchers, is a form of communication.  Dolphins do not do this type of communicating, but they do leap from the water and sometimes do summersaults.

Spinner dolphins in Hawaii congregate in large family pods that can number in the 100s, while bottlenose are usually seen in groupings of less than 5.  Both species can approach vessels at will to spend time people watching.

Years ago while working on a vessel that crossed the channel to Lana’i, we had an amazing experience involving dolphins.  We had about 30 passengers and 3 crew on board that day.  While folks were wrapping up their snorkeling experience and heading back, the captain noticed dolphins approaching in the distance.  Spinner dolphins feed in the night hours and like to rest in shallow coves and bays during the day.  A very large pod was quickly approaching.  As is normal, they sent 3 scouts into the bay to check and give the ‘all clear’ communication whistles.  As a handful of straggling snorkelers made their way to the swim ramp, one lady was singled out by the scouts.  They were clearly interested in her as they circled and whistled and made clicking sounds.  The passenger began to become hysterical and exclaimed that the dolphins were hurting her.  The captain hopped from the deck to the swim ramp and encouraged her to keep paddling, not panic, and she was alright.  The dolphins were not hurting her in any way.  She didn’t seem convinced at all.  Her husband, I remember, was very worried and offered to jump back in to help her move quicker.  The captain declined as a crew member was right behind her, smiling broadly while enjoying the dolphins, and keeping a close eye.  After climbing on the swim step, wrapped in a towel by her husband and gently placed on a bench, her tears subsided while she insisted the dolphins were ‘hurting’ her.  The captain listened intently, obviously deep in thought.  I will never forget his question:  “ma’am, are you pregnant?”.  The husband’s eyes opened wider in surprise when she responded, “yes, I am, but how did you know that?”  Then, quickly to her husband she offered a barrage of apologies explaining that she was going to tell him during their vacation when the time seemed right.  Both listened intently as the captain explained echolocation and how it works.  He told them that the dolphins most likely ’saw’ the fetus and it was a curiosity to them.  That was probably why they continued to circle her and ‘ping’, enabling them to get a better vision.  The couple hugged most of the way back, joy shining on their faces.  The wife had an amazing dolphin experience, which the husband shared in his own way.  He had the pregnancy of their first child announced by spinner dolphins.

Come to Maui!  Get out on the water and keep the expectations high.  There is so much out there and it is waiting just for you!

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

This fish was a very important food source of the ancient Hawaiians who called it ôpelu.   Since it is a pelagic fish, most likely it was not raised in fish ponds.  Saba was eaten raw, salted and dried, and cooked.

The mackerel is also a very important food for marine mammals such as the humpback whale.  These whales call Hawaiian waters home for part of their lives.  If they were to find large schools of saba it would prove most certainly a fabulous snack for the whales who favor oily fish and eat very little while in the island chain to mate, give birth, and court each other.

Mackerel are voracious eaters who enjoy copepods and other crustaceans, squid, and other fish.  In the Asian culture these fish are also used for medicine.

When in Hawaii, snorkeling is a must.  These beautiful and shiny fish can be seen on the way to Molokini, while in the crater snorkeling, and even while snorkeling off shore.  Jump in, the water’s fine!

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

The ancient Hawaiians called this magnificent creature Hahalua.  The literal translation means two mouths from the two flap-like appendages (cephalic horns) the manta can curl up when not feeding and unfurl to aid in guiding large amounts of plankton and small fish to the broad mouth.

The manta can reach an amazing width of 30 feet (measured tip to tip across the body) and can weigh more than 3,000 pounds!  Not much is known about the biology of this pelagic/shallow water animal, but in spring and autumn they are seen leaping out of the water.  Most biologists believe it is the males who may leap, possibly due to a courtship behavior.  It is also believed that the females are live bearers.  Most do not have the protective barbs of the stingray, and their tails are rope-like and very short.

There have been many studies on the giant manta in Hawaiian waters.  Off the Kona coast of the big island of Hawaii, many animals have been identified and cataloged by the ’saddle’ patterns on their backs and freckle patterns on their bellies.  When in Hawaiian waters try to make time for a snorkel trip.  Young mantas can be very curious and tolerate close human contact.  Manta rays are a common occurrence here and often are in very shallow areas.  Males leaping out of the water can sometimes appear like a missile (if their pectoral fins are rolled up) or like a giant kite when fully extended.  This would surely be a sight to remember for a lifetime.  Come to Maui and go out on the water.  Make your memories happen.

Photo Courtesy R. Yin, Fishbase.org

Wow!  Look at it go!  Snorkeling in Hawaii is such an amazing thing to do and seeing a helmet gurnard - aka flying gurnard - is something to not be missed! See video HERE.

The ancient Hawaiians called this fish loloa`u, but the name of pinao, which means dragonfly, was also used.  These fish are bottom dwellers (except when larval), slow moving and heavy.  They will open their pectoral fins when alarmed, probably trying to appear much larger to a predator.  According to Dr. Randall, the name ‘helmet’ gurnard was used because the external bones of their head are armor-like and united.  The shoulder girdle on either side is shield-like and expanded, ending in a very sharp spine.  The gurnard is seen on open substrata of sand, rubble, or even mud.  Their pelvic fins of 1,4 rays are used for what appears to be walking along the bottom.  They most likely scrape into the sand in search of crustaceans and small mollusks.

This fish is light green with dark brown spots on their dorsal sides, shading to white.  They are really a beautiful animal to watch and can be very quick.  Come to Maui and don’t miss a snorkel trip.  The Hawaiian reefs are full of wondrous animals!