Kohala Divers Dive Blog

Kohala Coast Dive Buds: Steve Smith

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 02:12:10 GMT

Who: Steve Smith (not the drummer)

What's your dive deal? What keeps you diving?

I have been around the ocean all my life, and the assemblage of life therein is made up of many old friends. In that space I touch the past, the present, and I feel my place in the universe. In one sense, it's an alien world there, yet our origins trace back there in the distant past. I can't get enough of immersing into that world and discovering the unknown. Anything can happen, any animal can show up.

What's your underwater super power?

I have been known on occasion to get two hour dives out of a standard 80 cylinder.

Also, I am driven to spend extended periods of time in the water (maybe 6 hours a day). Persistence offers rewards to the attentive observer. You can't see stuff if you aren't in the water.

Brood pouch with babies in female ornate ghost pipefish. Fun fact- unlike other seahorses and pipefish, females carry the babies in the ornate ghost pipefish species.

What's your funniest or most bizarre dive memory?

Bizarre, not funny at all, but: On a dive in Philippines a fisherman hooked one of my rubber fins and yanked. A little more proximal and it would have been bad.

Is there one dive that you remember that stands out as a top dive ever? Why? Where was it?

1. Underwater volcanic seamount North of Sulawesi. Beautiful coral reef abruptly transitions into a sulphurous bubbling field of bacterial mats. Amazing place.

2. Darwin island- whale sharks, schooling hammerheads, dolphins- all at the same time.

3. Orcas in Galapagos

What is your most unexpected underwater animal encounter? -what happened?

A group of spinner dolphin followed on us on a DPV dive for about 25 min. They just hung with us as we traveled south. It might have been the first time they encountered divers on scooters. I think they may have been impressed and surprised? They kept coming back- close, then farther away, then back to us.

What's the biggest rookie move you've ever done on a dive? How did it turn out?

Poor navigation in low visibility in a place I was not familiar with. I became one with a wave that smashed me against the rocks on the outer rocky break at Sharks Cove on Oahu. Lost my mask and second stage while smashing and twirling on the rocks under water. In the mix I retrieved my second stage, shielded my head with one arm and tried not to breathe too much water through my unmasked nose, while tumbling in the wave over the rocky pahoehoe. I had lacerations, bruises and swollen limbs. Among the lessons learned- always seek out local experience when diving new areas. And just don't be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This cannot be overstated.

What underwater fish or creature do you think is under rated? (You think they're awesome but most divers don't seem to notice them? )

Basket stars. These have to be one of the most underrated echinoderms.

Also, sponges don't get enough love. They are among the oldest animals on the reef, dating back far beyond corals and fish.

What's one ocean conservation habit you'd love to see more of?

Banning of shark finning, and banning of shark fin soup in general.

Restrictions and better management of deep sea trawling.

Locally, when people place lights to attract plankton for mantas, I would like to see effort for the placement to be in sandy areas far from coral and rocks. It is dark, and collisions are probable. When I see abrasions on some local mantas, it pains me greatly. Are we in part responsible? Can we do better?

What's one specific piece of dive gear you own that makes your dive remarkably better?

A compass.

Diving Mindful on Serenity Sunday

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:29:21 GMT

Introducing Serenity Sundays

Kohala Divers offers a two tank dive charter every Sunday. We call it Serenity Sunday . Serenity Sunday invites you to slow down and be present. To be open to noticing what is going on around you in the ocean while also noticing what's going on inside you emotionally and mentally.

Diving naturally leads to mindfulness. You are forced to be in tune to what you are currently doing. You enjoy your time underwater more when you go at an unhurried pace. We always take a relaxed pace on our guided dives, but on Sundays we are even more intentional in our tone above and below the water.

Do you ever find your focus can be on many things at once on a dive? Finding the perfect photo op. Looking for macro critters. Keeping your buoyancy perfect, trying to use less air. Sometimes all of those thoughts can make a dive less mindful. One of the things we like to explore on Serenity Sunday is, what if we dive with a more intentional mindset? Simple shifts in what we focus on can really change the experience.

How to Make Serenity Sunday More Intentional

Try to be in the moment by seeing what is happening near us and releasing expectations of what we want to be there.

We all have our favorite underwater critter or fish, but what happens when instead of looking for familiar faves we just focus on whatever is there? Look deeper at what is happening in the few feet surrounding us. Be curious. Observe before moving on. Do the fish and critters start to get curious about you too?

Be patient with your dive skills or setbacks

Being a comfortable diver typically comes from diving more often. For some that's not always an option. When you do go diving, thoughts of what could go wrong may overwhelm you. Oh no, will my buoyancy be right? Will my ears clear? Will I go through my air before others?

Set yourself up for success by completing a refresher course or hiring a private guide for the dive day so you can gently get yourself back into the swing of diving. Then be patient. Going slow takes care of most dive obstacles. Being in a calm and open minded frame of mind allows you to gain confidence underwater so that you can focus on the calmness rather than the clutter in your head.

Enjoy neutral buoyancy. Notice how your position is affected by your breath.

Floating effortlessly in the water is one of the best parts of scuba. It takes a bit of practice, but when you slow down, mastering perfect buoyancy gets easier. Find a moment on a dive to just enjoy the slow motion rise and fall that goes along with relaxed breathing. It's truly a zen you can't find anywhere else.

Listen

Scuba diving on beautiful, diverse coral reefs is a very visually stimulating activity, but great views are not the only amazing thing happening underwater. Take a moment on your dive to be still and listen. Don't hold your breath! We all know that's the first rule in scuba safety. Instead, listen to your exhale, then on your slow, relaxed inhale listen to everything else. Fish feeding, shrimp snapping, waves crashing, and maybe even dolphins chattering or whales singing.

Exhale your troubles and watch them float away in bubbles

Alright, this one might get a little woo woo. But maybe give it a try? If you have a stuck thought or a worry in your life that is hard to let go, try releasing it underwater. On an underwater exhale you can literally watch your worry float away to the surface of the ocean to be blown away forever. Sometimes simple visualizations can release some seriously stuck energy. The ocean is magic!!

You can dive like this on any dive. On Sundays we just notice the flow. We embrace the calm. We go slower and we explore new depths, physically and mentally.

Join us every Sunday. Book Serenity Sunday on our Two Site trip, or see all our Themed Dive Days .

Kohala Divers Daily Descent: September 2026

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 03:12:30 GMT

Volume 1, Issue 1

Welcome to the first issue of the Kohala Divers Daily Descent , our monthly newsletter full of dive stories, upcoming events, and the gear that makes diving so much fun. September was an amazing month on the Kohala Coast, and October is shaping up to be even better. Here's what's happening.

Want the Daily Descent in your inbox every month? Join the Kohala Coast Dive Club .

Annual Tent Sale: Saturday, October 3

Our biggest sale of the year is this Saturday, October 3, from 8 am to 4 pm at the shop in Kawaihae. Expect huge deals on new and used gear, plus fill cards, tank rental cards, and whale watch gift cards. The Tent Sale also kicks off our new Ohana Loyalty Rewards program and a revamped Kohala Coast Dive Club . Grab your dive buddies and come hang out with us.

Get directions to the shop

Kohala Coast Dive Buds: Meet Gunner

Every month we sit down with someone from our local dive community. This month it's Gunner, who keeps coming back to the water for the perfect balance of adventure and peace, and the chance to explore something new on every dive.

Read Gunner's full interview

Science Friday Mission 005: Critter Buddy Systems

On the reef, it often pays to have a partner. Mission 005 looks at how different species team up, from relationships where both animals win to ones where one quietly takes advantage of the other.

Read the Mission 005 recap

Catch up on past missions: 004: Hidden in the Reef , 003: The Grazers , 002: Masters of Disguise , 001: Who Ate That? , or start with Introducing Science Fridays .

Want to join a mission? Science Friday runs every Friday on our Two Site trip, alongside Serenity Sunday and Explore More Monday. See our Themed Dive Days .

T-Shirt of the Month

Our September T-Shirt of the Month is here. Not in town? No problem, you can grab it from our online store.

Get your shirt

Crew Corner: A Truck in the Harbor

You never know what you'll come across on a dive day, but this one took "expect the unexpected" to a new level. Crew members Kay and Zach helped pull a truck out of Kawaihae Harbor.

Watch the video

Dive or Snorkel with Us

Ready to get in the water? Book our Two Site Dive and Snorkel trip , or call us at (808) 882-7774 .

Happy diving!
Brad and the Kohala Divers crew

Kohala Coast Dive Buds: Gunner Ganske

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:15:23 GMT

What's your dive deal? What keeps you diving?

What keeps me diving is the perfect balance of adventure and peace. Every dive is a new opportunity to explore the wonders and mysteries of the underwater world. There's something incredibly peaceful about being beneath the surface, where the noise of everyday life fades away and you can simply be present in the moment. It's my happy place, and no two dives are ever the same.

What's your underwater super power?

My underwater superpower is navigation and my very chill dive vibe! I have a great sense of direction underwater and a calm, relaxed approach to every dive. I just go with the flow and enjoy the adventure!

What's your funniest or most bizarre dive memory?

Top of the list! We were shore diving at Kapa'a on a beautiful March day with fantastic visibility, and might I mention, some pretty chilly water! As we were getting ready to enter the bay, a group of divers was just finishing their dive. We had the typical diver conversation: How was your dive? What did you see? Where do you like to dive? As we were getting situated to descend, we started noticing some interesting things floating on the surface and in the water column. Upon closer inspection, we realized there were $20 and $100 bills floating EVERYWHERE! Apparently, the divers had put their cash in a small dry box that popped open as they exited the water! By this time, they were already up at their car, taking off their gear. We started yelling for them to come back, but between the incoming waves and the distance, they couldn't understand us. They were tired and getting a little annoyed that we kept calling them back down to the water! They finally made their way back to see what we needed, and you should have seen their faces when we handed them wads of their lost cash! Definitely one of the funniest and most unexpected underwater treasure hunts we've ever had!

Is there one dive that stands out as your top dive ever?

One of my most unforgettable dives was at Mahukona on the Big Island of Hawaii in February. It was a beautiful winter day, diving with friends at one of our favorite spots, a little reef island we call "Fish Island." We were about 70 feet down, enjoying incredible visibility and an extra fishy reef that day! As usual, we were exploring the reef while listening to the magical songs of the humpback whales all around us. Then, I looked up and there they were: a mother humpback whale, her calf, and an escort! We watched as the mother gently helped her calf to the surface for air. Seeing that incredible interaction up close was absolutely magical. Having a full grown humpback whale fill your entire field of vision is something words can hardly describe. It was one of those rare, breathtaking moments underwater that I will treasure forever!

What is your most unexpected underwater animal encounter?

One of my most unexpected underwater encounters was with a very curious Hawaiian monk seal that decided to spend an entire dive with us! About five minutes into our dive, it joined us and stayed until the very end. Not only did it explore the reef with us, but it was even more interested in exploring US! At one point, it was playfully tugging on our fins, and then it swam right underneath me, coming face to face to check out my mask, or maybe its own reflection in it! It was incredible to experience just how curious and interactive this amazing animal was. Such a fun, unexpected, and unforgettable dive!

What's the biggest rookie move you've ever done on a dive?

Well, that's an easy one! Jumping off the boat without my fins! ROOKIE MOVE 100%! Nothing like hitting the water and realizing you forgot a pretty important piece of equipment! A little embarrassing, but definitely good for a laugh and a reminder to always double check your gear!

What underwater creature do you think is underrated?

The Hawaiian cleaner wrasse! These little guys are absolutely fascinating and so underrated! They're the reef's tiny cleaning crew, working hard to keep other fish healthy. I love watching the interactions at their cleaning stations as fish line up for a little underwater spa treatment! They may be small, but they have BIG personalities and play such an important role in the reef ecosystem!

What's one ocean conservation habit you'd love to see more of?

Easy! Better buoyancy control! Being aware of your surroundings, keeping your fins off the reef, and avoiding accidental contact with marine life can make a huge difference in protecting our underwater world. A little more buoyancy awareness goes a long way toward keeping our reefs healthy and beautiful for generations to come!

What's one piece of dive gear that makes your dives remarkably better?

A good dive flashlight! Even on a beautiful, clear water dive, a great light brings the reef to life! It reveals incredible colors, illuminates hidden little creatures, and lets you explore all the nooks and crannies you might otherwise miss. It makes every dive that much more exciting!

Science Friday 005: Critter Buddy Systems

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:15:22 GMT

A coral reef can look like a collection of individual animals, each one going about its own business. Spend enough time watching, though, and those boundaries begin to disappear.

For our fifth Science Friday, Critter Buddy Systems, we went looking for interactions between different species. Our mission was not simply to find two animals near one another, but to observe what happened between them and ask an interesting question:

What is each animal contributing to the relationship, and what does each one get in return?

Over two dives, we watched Hawaiian cleaner wrasses cleaning their customers, followed a manybar goatfish hunting alongside a Hawaiian day octopus, and came across blue goatfish positioning themselves around openings in the reef while a whitemouth moray searched through the cracks and crevices beneath them.

Three very different interactions, but all built around the idea that sometimes another species can provide an opportunity that an animal could not create quite as effectively on its own.

When It Pays to Have a Partner

Interactions between different species are known as interspecific interactions and can take on many forms. Sometimes both participants benefit, creating a relationship we describe as mutualism. In other situations, one animal may benefit while the other is largely unaffected, or an animal may simply take advantage of an opportunity created by another species. That distinction became important during this mission because what looks like teamwork underwater is not necessarily the same kind of partnership every time. The first interaction we encountered was one of the clearest examples of mutualism on a Hawaiian reef.

The Reef’s Cleaning Station

Hawaiian cleaner wrasses, Labroides phthirophagus , are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and much of their feeding ecology revolves around other fish. Rather than spending the day searching the reef for conventional prey, cleaner wrasses establish “cleaning stations” where larger fish, the Hawaiian cleaner wrasses’ “customers,” come to be serviced. We watched these “customers” remain remarkably still while the wrasses moved across their bodies. The cleaner wrasse gains access to food, particularly ectoparasites and other material taken from the surface of their customer. The customer, in turn, receives the benefit of having those parasites removed. That exchange makes cleaning interactions one of the classic examples of mutualism on coral reefs.

Hunting with Eight Arms

Our next critter buddy system looked very different. We found a manybar goatfish, Parupeneus multifasciatus , moving with a Hawaiian day octopus, Octopus cyanea , as the two searched the reef for prey.

Goatfish are remarkably well equipped for finding food hidden in the bottom. Beneath their chin are a pair of highly sensitive organs called barbels, which contain sensory structures that help them investigate the substrate to locate their prey. The Hawaiian day octopus searches differently. Its flexible arms can probe deeply into cracks and holes, and it can spread its web over portions of reef structure while feeding beneath and between rocks for animals hiding inside. Put those abilities together and an interesting hunting system begins to emerge.

The manybar goatfish can move quickly across the reef and investigate a relatively large area, while the Hawaiian day octopus can reach into spaces that are almost completely inaccessible to the manybar goatfish. Together, they expand their individual effective hunting area and prey avoiding one predator may therefore expose itself to the other.

Cover the Exits

Then we encountered perhaps the clearest example of complementary hunting strategies during the dives. A whitemouth moray, Gymnothorax meleagris , was moving through the reef, repeatedly pushing its head into cracks and holes as it searched inside. Above it were blue goatfish, Parupeneus cyclostomus .

Rather than searching the same holes as the eel, the goatfish positioned themselves around openings in the reef. As the moray worked through the structure beneath them, the fish appeared to be covering possible escape routes.

That behavior is particularly interesting because whitemouth morays are among the Hawaiian morays known to actively hunt during the day. Their long, flexible bodies allow them to search spaces that larger reef fishes cannot enter. In Hawaiʻi, whitemouth morays have been documented hunting in association with goatfish, jacks, trumpetfish and peacock groupers. While the eel searches a cavity, accompanying predators may position themselves around the exits and attempt to capture prey flushed from hiding.

What We’re Still Wondering

Are all critter buddy systems mutualism?

After watching these interactions, it would be tempting to describe every critter buddy system we encountered as mutualism, but biologically, the distinction is not always that simple. Mutualism requires both participants to benefit from the interaction. With Hawaiian cleaner wrasses and their clients, that exchange is relatively easy to recognize. The cleaner wrasse gains a food source by removing ectoparasites and other material from its customer, while the customer benefits from the cleaning service.

Cooperative hunting is more complicated. Two species may combine different hunting strategies in ways that improve the chances of both finding or capturing prey. An octopus, for example, can reach deep into complex reef structure while an accompanying fish can search a much broader area, potentially allowing the pair to exploit more of the reef than either could as effectively on its own. In other cases, however, one predator may simply take advantage of prey disturbed or flushed out by another without contributing much to the hunt itself. Research on mixed-species hunting groups suggests that these interactions can exist along a continuum, from opportunism and exploitation to genuine cooperation, rather than fitting neatly into a single ecological category.

That makes the behavior itself more interesting to watch. Simply seeing two species hunting together does not tell us what their relationship is. We have to pay attention to what each animal contributes. Which one discovers the prey? Does one animal follow or respond to the movements of the other? Does the behavior of one hunter give its partner access to prey it might otherwise have difficulty finding or capturing? Most importantly, does each participant appear to gain something from hunting together?

Those questions are difficult to answer from a single encounter, and perhaps that is the most interesting part. Instead of leaving the dive with a simple label for what we saw, we left with a reason to watch a little more closely the next time we find two very different animals hunting in tandem.

Next Science Friday:

Mission 006: Reef Builders

This Friday, October 2nd, 2026, we’re looking at the animals responsible for building much of the reef beneath us. Our mission is to explore how reef-building corals deposit calcium carbonate, gradually creating the framework that provides habitat and helps dissipate wave energy before it reaches Hawaiʻi’s coastline.

We’ll focus on two closely related Porites species: Lobe coral, Porites lobata , and Mound coral, Porites evermanni . Both are important reef builders and can look remarkably similar at first glance.

The goal is to stop seeing the reef simply as rock beneath us and start seeing it as a living structure that is continually being built.

How can something as small as a coral polyp help create something large enough to influence an entire coastline?

Join us on October 2nd, 2026 to find out, and come explore the best diving and snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawai’i by calling us at (808) 882-7774 or book online below.

Happy Diving!
-B

Dive Curious. Discover what others miss.

Mission Recap

Science Friday 004: Hidden in the Reef

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:23:10 GMT

Dive Curious. Discover what others miss.

Mission Recap

Most of the animals we notice on a coral reef are the ones swimming above it, crawling across it, or sitting somewhere we can easily see. However, much of the reef community lives somewhere else.

That was the mission for our fourth Science Friday: Hidden in the Reef.

Instead of looking across the reef, we spent two dives looking into it. We searched beneath ledges, inside holes, between coral branches, along lava tube ceilings, and into the cracks and crevices that can be easy to swim past.

Among what we found were marbled shrimp and pied brittle stars tucked deep inside the reef; colonies of orange cup coral growing from lava tube ceilings, christmas tree worms filtering food from the water, yellow spotted guard crab living among coral branches, and even a hawaiian day octopus.

A coral reef is filled with small habitats hidden within the larger landscape. A hole only a few inches across can offer protection from predators, while the space between coral branches can provide both shelter and access to food. Beneath an overhang, reduced light creates conditions that favor organisms able to live without direct sunlight, while water moving through a narrow crevice can carry suspended food for animals waiting inside.

Ecologists often describe these localized environments as microhabitats. Small differences in light, water flow, exposure, available space, and protection can create very different living conditions within only a few feet of reef, helping determine which organisms are able to live there. Once we started searching those spaces, organisms that are normally easy to overlook began appearing everywhere.

Hiding Until Dark

One of those animals was the marbled shrimp, tucked back into the reef. Marbled shrimp are primarily nocturnal. During daylight hours, they commonly shelter in crevices between and under coral colonies, emerging after dark to forage. Its mottled coloration provides additional camouflage against the complex surfaces around them. For marbled shrimp and other nocturnal predators, during the day, a crevice is more than an empty hole, it provides a place to disappear while daylight predators are active.

A Coral on the Ceiling

Inside the lava tubes, we found something different, bright orange colonies of orange cup corals were growing from the ceilings. At first, that seems like a strange place to find a coral. Most of the familiar shallow-water corals in Hawaiʻi receive much of their energy from photosynthesis performed by symbiotic algae living within their tissues. A dark lava tube ceiling would not seem like particularly useful real estate.

However, orange cup corals are different. They are an azooxanthellate coral, meaning they lack the photosynthetic algal symbionts found in many shallow-water corals. Since they do not depend on sunlight as an energy source, they are able to occupy shaded walls, overhangs, caverns, and other low-light habitats.

Orange cup corals obtain their nutrition by capturing food from the surrounding water. Their polyps extend tentacles into the surrounding water and use specialized stinging cells called nematocysts to immobilize tiny drifting animals and larvae in the water called zooplankton.

Seeing colonies of orange cup corals growing upside down in a lava tube was a good example of how dramatically an organism’s feeding strategy can influence where it is able to live.

The Trees That Are Actually Worms

Christmas tree worms are easy to notice once you start looking for them, but most of the animal remains hidden. The colorful spirals we see above the coral are specialized structures called radioles, which serve two jobs: respiration and feeding. The worm’s body remains protected within a calcareous tube embedded in the reef. If disturbed, the entire “tree” can disappear almost instantly into that tube. It is another version of life hidden in the reef, an animal remaining protected inside while only the structures it needs to feed and breathe extend into the water.

Hidden Arms in the Reef

Kohala Divers Science Fridays

Dive curious. Discover what others miss.

We also found a pied brittle star tucked deep within the reef, with little more than its long arms extending from its hiding place. Like many brittle stars, it uses the reef structure as protection while keeping its feeding surfaces exposed to the water moving past. Brittle stars have rows of tube feet along their flexible arms that can collect suspended particles and pass them toward the mouth on the underside of the central disc.

It is an easy animal to overlook because most of it may never come into view. What we see reaching from a crack in the reef is only a small part of the animal, positioned where the current can deliver food while the vulnerable central disc remains protected inside. It was another example of how the architecture of the reef allows an animal to be both hidden and connected to the water column at the same time.

A Crab Living Between the Branches

Guard crabs including the yellow spotted guard crab have close associations with antler coral in Hawai’i. The coral provides the crab with shelter and food resources, while the crab removes sediment and defends the colony against some coral predators including crown-of-thorns sea stars. The space between coral branches is the physical setting for a biological relationship called mutualism.

What We’re Still Wondering

On our dives, Elise observed that christmas tree worms are suspension feeders, but wondered what they actually eat. Their paired branchial crowns or “trees”, composed of feather-like radioles, extend into the water column and intercept suspended particulates carried past by the current. These particles include microscopic, plant-like organisms drifting in the water called phytoplankton and fine organic material.

Their radioles are lined with cilia and mucus-producing surfaces that trap suitable particles and transport them along ciliated grooves toward the mouth. This feeding strategy allows christmas tree worms to exploit suspended food without leaving the protection of its calcareous tube. As I mentioned earlier, these same radioles also function in gas exchange, making the visible “trees” both respiratory and feeding structures.

Our biggest takeaway from the mission was how much larger the reef becomes when we stop looking only at its surface and start looking into the hidden spaces.

Next Science Friday:

Mission 005: Critter Buddy Systems

This coming Friday, September 18th, 2026 we are looking for organisms that have figured out that it pays to have a partner.

Our mission will be to observe interspecific relationships and the interactions between different species to see how organisms can benefit by working, hunting, or even simply spending time together.

Come explore the best diving and snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawai’i by calling us at (808) 882-7774 or book online below.

Happy Diving!
-B

Science Fridays happen on our two-site morning charter . Two dives, two different sites, and a mission that gives you something to look for on both of them.

You don't need to be a marine biologist or know the name of every fish. Just bring your curiosity, slow down a little, and start asking questions about what you are seeing. That is really all it takes!

There is always something happening out there. Come find out what.

Come Dive With Us

Science Friday 003: The Grazers

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:04:20 GMT

Dive Curious. Discover what others miss.

Mission Recap

There are a lot of organisms eating algae on a coral reef, but they are not all doing the same ecological job.

Rather than simply looking for herbivores, our mission was to observe different grazers and compare how each one removes material from the reef.

Over two dives, we came across a variety of grazers, from yellow tangs, to goldring surgeonfish, to parrotfish, to urchins. All of them interact with algae in some way, but once we began paying closer attention to how they feed, the word “grazer” became more complex.

Not All Grazers Graze the Same Way

Herbivory is one of the processes that helps to shape a coral reef. By removing algae, herbivores can influence how much space and light are available on the reef and which organisms are able to occupy the substrate. But different herbivores target different types of algae and remove them in different ways.

Some fish crop algae from the surface, while others scrape tightly attached algal turf from hard substrate. Some browse larger fleshy algae. Sea urchins use a five-toothed feeding structure rasp material from the reef. So instead of asking, “What is eating algae?”, we began to ask a more useful questions:

What does each feeding strategy do to the reef surface?

Parrotfish Scraping the Reef

Parrotfish gave us one of the clearest examples. We observed them repeatedly place their beak-like mouths against the reef, take a bite, and move on. Their teeth are fused into strong dental plates (like a parrot’s beak) that allow them to scrape material from hard reef surfaces. Their bites can remove algal turf and sometimes a small amount of the calcium carbonate substrate beneath it. This distinction is important as a parrotfish is not just shortening algae. Scraping can expose areas of relatively clean hard substrate. Those open surfaces may provide places where coral larvae can settle and begin the process of colonization.

A Yellow Tang Takes a Different Bite

Yellow tangs were also feeding on algae, but their bites had a different effect. Rather than scraping into the reef surface, Yellow Tangs use their mouths and closely spaced teeth to crop filamentous and turf-forming algae growing across the substrate. By repeatedly cropping these algal turfs, Yellow Tangs can help keep them short and reduce the ability of algae to overgrow or monopolize space on the reef. That continued maintenance can influence competition for space between algae, corals, and other organisms trying to occupy the same hard substrate.

The Fish With Its Own Farm

Most of the herbivorous fish we were watching moved across the reef in search of food. The Hawaiian Gregory was doing something very different. It stayed close to a small patch of algae, repeatedly tending the area and aggressively defending it. We watched this relatively small damselfish chase surgeonfish away when they attempted to move into its territory. Hawaiian Gregories are territorial damselfish that maintain patches of algal growth within their territories. This behavior is often described as algal farming.

By feeding within the territory while excluding other herbivores, the fish can influence both the amount and composition of algae growing inside its defended patch. Watching one small fish repeatedly drive away much larger surgeonfish was a reminder that grazing patterns are shaped by more than mouths and teeth. Behavior determines who gets to feed where.

Grazing Without a Fish

Kohala Divers Science Fridays

Dive curious. Discover what others miss.

Fish were only part of the story. We also encountered longspined, banded, pencil, and collector urchins. Sea urchins feed using Aristotle’s lantern, a complex arrangement of five continuously growing teeth located on their underside. As the urchin moves across the reef, these teeth can scrape and rasp algal and other material from hard surfaces.

The longspined urchins we encountered can be especially effective at removing algal turf and fleshy algae, sometimes grazing very close to the underlying reef surface. Pencil urchins, are also strong benthic grazers, but their feeding ecology is somewhat different. They consume algae directly from hard substrate, including crustose coralline algae and other attached algal growth. In high population density areas, the substrate can have very little algal turf. While urchins grazing can substantially reduce algal cover, intense grazing can also contribute to bioerosion and disturb newly settled corals.

While we watched the urchins, something else stood out. The longspined urchins were gathered tightly together in the open. The pencil urchins were tucked back into holes and crevices within the reef. Both were grazers, but their very different appearances and positioning raised another question.

What We’re Still Wondering

Stacy asked, “ Why do longspined urchin and pencil urchin spines look so different? ” A longspined urchin and a pencil urchin both use the same basic type of feeding apparatus, but their defensive structures look dramatically different.

Longspined urchins are surrounded by numerous long, narrow spines. These increase the effective distance between the urchin’s body and a potential predator. Pencil urchins take a very different form. Their primary spines are short, extremely thick, and blunt. During our dives, the behavioral contrast was just as noticeable as the structural one.

The longspined urchins were clustered together in relatively exposed areas, while the pencil urchins were wedged securely into the reef. Lonspined urchins aggregate during the day as an anti-predator strategy. When several individuals huddle together, their long spines overlap and create a larger defensive barrier, making it harder for predators to reach their vulnerable tests (shells).

Pencil urchins use a different strategy. Their short, thick spines are well suited for bracing themselves tightly against the reef. During the day, they commonly shelter in holes and crevices where their body is difficult for predators to reach. They tend to become more active after dark, leaving shelter to graze when their daytime predators have gone to sleep.

On our first dive, a manta ray graced us with its presence, which led Mo to ask another question, “ Are manta rays grazers? ”

The grazers we had been observing obtain food from a surface. They bite, crop, scrape, or rasp algae and other material attached to the reef. Manta rays are planktivorous filter feeders, and thus use a different feeding strategy. They swim through plankton-rich water with their mouths open. Their cephalic lobes help direct water and suspended particles toward their mouth, while specialized filtering structures called gill rakers to retain plankton as the water passes through their gills. So while both manta rays and reef grazers spend a great deal of time feeding, they occupy very different trophic roles. A grazer removes food attached to a surface. A manta (and other filter feeders like christmas tree worms) filter food suspended in the water column.

Mo’s question gave us a useful reminder: describing what an animal eats is only part of understanding its ecological role.

The next time you see a fish eating algae, resist the temptation to identify it and keep swimming. Watch its mouth. Look to see if it is cropping algae from the surface, scraping the substrate, browsing larger algae, rasping the reef, defending a feeding territory, or something completely different.

The organisms we call The Grazers are performing different ecological functions with every bite. Once we start watching how animals feed instead of simply noticing that they are feeding, the reef becomes a much more interesting place.

Next Science Friday:
Mission 004: Hidden in the Reef

This Friday, September 11th, 2026 we are changing where we look. Instead of watching the animals moving across the surface of the reef, we’re looking inside it. Our mission is to investigate the cracks, holes, ledges, and crevices of rock and coral and discover what lives within them.

The reef we see while swimming over it is only part of the habitat. Countless organisms spend much of their lives beneath ledges, inside holes, wedged between coral branches, or occupying spaces we normally swim right past.

This week , we’re going looking for them.

Reserve your spot today by calling us at (808) 882-7774 or book online here: Link

Science Fridays happen on our two-site morning charter . Two dives, two different sites, and a mission that gives you something to look for on both of them.

There is always something happening out there. Come find out what.

Come Dive With Us

Science Friday 002: Masters of Disguise

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:51:35 GMT

Dive curious. Discover what others miss.

Mission Recap

Sometimes the best way to survive on a coral reef is to make sure nobody notices you are there. For our second Science Friday, we went looking for critters doing exactly that. Our mission for Masters of Disguise was to observe organisms using different strategies to avoid being noticed.

Over two dives, we found marine life disappearing against rocks, changing their appearance, and even covering themselves with material from the reef.

However, camouflage isn’t always just about hiding from predators. For some animals being difficult to see helps them get close enough to catch their prey.

The Trumpetfish That Changed Before Our Eyes

Trumpetfish are strangely shaped fish. Their long, narrow bodies can make them surprisingly difficult for their prey to see when they position themselves vertically, peering into the reef. But during our dives, we watched something even more interesting. The trumpetfish appeared to change its pattern to better match its surroundings. More on this in our What We're Still Wondering section below.

An Urchin Wearing the Reef

Another Master of Disguise was hiding in plain sight. We found collector urchins carrying algae and shells across the tops of their bodies. At first glance, it looks like straightforward camouflage. Collector urchins use their tube feet to pick up pieces of algae, rubble, shells, and other material and hold them over the upper surface of their bodies.

Scientists have proposed several explanations, including protection from predators, added weight to help secure them to rock in strong water movement, and UV protection.

Experimental research on collector urchins has found particularly strong evidence for the sunlight explanation. Collector urchins covered themselves more under bright conditions.

So what looked like camouflage to us could also have been collector urchins carrying their own sunshade.

The Lizardfish We Often Swim Past

Our Hawaiian, Two Spot, and Orangemouth Lizardfishes showed us another Master of Disguise strategy. Rather than changing color in front of us or covering itself with pieces of the environment, these lizardfish were simply well matched to the bottoms they laid upon. This makes sense for ambush predators. Stay still and blend in, patiently waiting for dinner to unsuspectingly swim by.

What We're Still Wondering

Sivan raised the question, "Do trumpetfish have chromatophores?"

Trumpetfish (Aulostomus chinensis) can quickly shift from looking almost completely uniform to showing stripes that run lengthwise along the body or bars that run across it. Scientists have not yet mapped out exactly how they do this, but the best explanation is that different areas of the skin contain chromatophores that can be turned "on" or "off" as pigment spreads out or pulls together inside the cells. In other words, the stripes are probably not moving or changing direction, more likely, they are revealing different patterns that are already built into their skin. These changes seem to be controlled by the nervous system and may help trumpetfish match their surroundings while hunting or hiding.

Disappearing Isn't One Strategy

This is probably our biggest takeaway from Mission 002. The Masters of Disguise we observed weren't all doing the same thing. The trumpetfish changed its appearance, while the collector urchin covered itself, and the lizardfish blended into the rocks and rubble beneath it.

Next Science Friday:
Mission 003: The Grazer

Next Friday, September 4th, 2026 we’re going from observing critters trying not to be seen, to some of the most commonly observed daytime feeders. Our mission is to find herbivores and detritivores and compare how each removes material from the reef and are all animals we casually call “grazers” actually doing the same job?

This mission was inspired by a question Brett brought up after our Mission 002 dive about what sea cucumbers are feeding on. Thank you Brett, we look forward to answering your question this week!

Reserve your spot today!

Science Fridays

Dive curious. Discover what others miss.

Science Fridays happen on our two-site morning charter . Two dives, two different sites, and a mission that gives you something to look for on both of them.

There is always something happening out there. Come find out what.

Come Dive With Us

Science Friday 001: Who Ate That?

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:03:18 GMT

Dive curious. Discover what others miss.

Mission Recap

Something is always eating on a coral reef. We don't always get to see it happen, but if we know what to look for, we can often find the clues left behind.

That was the mission for our first Science Friday: Who Ate That?

Rather than simply looking for marine life, we spent two dives looking for evidence of feeding and asking a simple question: Who ate that?

Reading the Reef

One of the goals of Science Friday is to get us thinking about a coral reef as more than a collection of fish, invertebrates, and substrate. It is a community of organisms constantly interacting with one another. Feeding is one of the easiest ways to begin observing those interactions because even when we don't witness it first hand, often clues are left behind.

Parrotfish Were Here

One of the signs we were looking for was evidence of parrotfish feeding. Instead of simply spotting a parrotfish swimming across the reef, we looked at the reef itself. Parrotfish use their fused, beak-like teeth to bite and scrape algae from hard reef surfaces. Depending on the species and feeding strategy, those bites can leave visible marks behind. Once you know what those marks look like, they start showing up everywhere. Parrotfish are important herbivores as their bite marks open up new space on the rock for coral larva to begin to colonize.

Something Ate the Urchins

We also found evidence of a very different kind of feeding. During the dives, we encountered the remains of pencil urchins, collector urchins and banded urchins.

One urchin test (shell) had a gaping hole in its underside, while another had been broken roughly in half. Obviously, something had happened. But unlike our parrotfish evidence, we couldn’t de termine the animal responsible. Finding an organism's remains doesn't necessarily tell us who ate it. A broken urchin test is evidence. Determining what produced that evidence requires more information. Could it have been predation? If so, what predator could produce that type of damage? Could something have happened to the test after the urchin died?

We don't know from the evidence we observed alone.

Part of learning to read a reef is separating what we observed from what we think may have happened. Sometimes the best answer underwater is simply, “we don’t know yet.”

What we do know is many sea urchins in Hawai’i protect themselves during the day by wedging into crevices, hiding beneath reef structure, or relying on long, thick, or venomous spines to discourage predators. After dark, many species emerge from shelter to graze on algae. Nighttime feeding may reduce their exposure to some daytime predators, but urchins still face threats from animals such as the bigeye emperor, seven-eleven crab, and giant porcupinefish, all of which are known to feed on sea urchins or parts of them here in Hawaiʻi.

Then We Caught One in the Act

Not everything remained a mystery. We did encounter a crown-of-thorns sea star actively feeding on coral. Crown-of-thorns sea stars are corallivores or predators that consume living coral tissue. Rather than biting pieces from the colony, a crown-of-thorns feeds externally. It positions itself over the coral, everts its stomach onto the colony and digests the coral tissue outside its body before absorbing the nutrients. It is a very different feeding strategy from the scraping of a parrotfish or whatever happened to our urchins.

What We're Still Wondering

At the end of every Science Friday, we want to leave with another question. This week's came from Emma, visiting us from Texas. She was curious about the cushion sea star we came across near the end of our second dive.

Hawaiʻi's cushion sea star is itself a corallivore. Generally, they prefer cauliflower coral over several other Hawaiian coral species. Just like crown-of-thorns sea stars, cushion sea stars feed by everting their stomach over their food. The unassuming cushion sea star Emma noticed wasn't simply sitting on the reef. She had found another answer to the question we'd been asking all day: Who ate that?

Start Looking for the Evidence

You don't necessarily need to witness an interaction to start understanding what is happening on a reef. Look at the clues such as a scrape across the reef, a broken urchin test, a patch of recently exposed coral skeleton and ask: What happened here?

The more you ask that question, the harder it becomes to simply swim over a reef without wondering what happened before you arrived.

Next Science Friday:
Mission 002: Masters of Disguise

This coming Friday, August 28th, 2026, we're changing the question.

Instead of looking for evidence of animals eating, we're looking for animals trying very hard not to be seen.

Our mission is to find organisms using different strategies to avoid being noticed. Camouflage is only the beginning. We'll look at how color, patterns, body shape, behavior, habitat, and positioning can help animals disappear into a reef even when they're right in front of us.

Reserve your August 28th spot here !

Science Fridays happen on our two-site morning charter . Two dives, two different sites, and a mission that gives you something to look for on both of them.

There is always something happening out there. Come find out what.

Come Dive With Us

Introducing Science Friday’s

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 02:06:21 GMT

Dive curious. Discover what others miss.

There is a lot happening underwater that is so easy to swim past. Whether it is an octopus den hidden behind a pile of shells, critters hunting together, or a line in the sand, there is so much to see and so many questions! We all see fish, coral, and other marine life on our dives, but the more time we spend underwater, the more we realize that identifying what we are looking at is only the beginning. Questions come up:

What is it doing? Why is it doing it? What can that tell us about what is happening on the reef?

That is the idea behind Science Fridays. Become more aware of what is happening around you underwater because once you start looking for these things, the reef begins to look very different!

A Little More Curiosity on Every Dive

Science Fridays are still about going diving and having fun. We are not turning the boat into a classroom or asking everyone to conduct a scientific survey. Instead, every Friday we will add a little special theme and mission to our regular charter built around coral reef ecology, marine life, and animal behavior.

Before we get in the water, we will conduct a short Science Friday briefing in addition to the normal dive briefing, introducing the day’s mission. What are we looking for? How can we spot it? What might be happening? And why it matters?

Then we go diving!

Participate as Much or as Little as You Want

Everyone on the boat is invited to participate in the mission, but Science Friday is designed to work at whatever level interests you!

Level 1: Spotter - Did you see the interaction, behavior, or ecological event?
Level 2: Observer - Can you figure out what is happening? Instead of swimming on after finding something interesting, stay for a moment. Watch and look for clues. What animal might have made that mark? Is anything feeding nearby? What else did you notice?
Level 3: Naturalist - Can you start to find out why? Look at the larger ecological story. What organisms are interacting? What role does the behavior play on the reef? What questions does the observation raise?

There is no test and no requirement to participate at any particular level. With your Divemaster, you can spend the whole dive on the mission, point out one thing you notice, or simply enjoy your dive as you normally would. The choice is yours!

Science Friday 001: Who Ate That?

This Friday, August 21st, 2026 we are starting with a question that sounds simple:

Who Ate That?

Coral reefs are covered with evidence of critters eating. Some scrape algae from the surface of the reef, while others disturb the sand searching for their prey buried below. Much of this happens when we are not watching, but the evidence remains,

Our Mission

During our two dives, we are going to look for signs that something has been eaten. We will look for clues, find the evidence, and see if together, we can figure out who was responsible.

Along the way, we will probably encounter something we can’t immediately explain. And that is part of Science Friday, too!

We will keep track of what we find, what surprised us, and something we are still wondering at the end of the day. We will take that question with us, dive a little deeper, and share what we learn on our blog!

There will always be another question, which is kind of the point!

Click here and Join us Friday! You don’t need to be a marine biologist or know the names of every fish! Just bring your love and curiosity for this magical underwater world!

Science Fridays

Dive Curious. Discover what others miss.

How to Fit Your Snorkel or Dive Mask: The Kohala Divers Way

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 20:08:51 GMT

At Kohala Divers, we believe the right fit makes all the difference between an okay ocean experience and an unforgettable one. Follow these simple steps to ensure your mask fits perfectly before you explore the incredible waters of the Kohala Coast!

Remove or loosen the strap: Start by placing the mask on your face without the strap, or pull it up and out of the way over the top of the mask. Remember—a tight strap doesn't equal a good fit.

 Tuck away your hair: Pull any hair (including bangs or stray strands) completely away from your face. Even a single hair between the silicone skirt and your skin can break the seal and cause leaking.

Position the mask properly: Place the mask gently on your face, making sure the soft silicone skirt lies flat against your skin with no bends, folds, or gaps.

Check the nose bridge: The mask frame shouldn't press down uncomfortably on the bridge of your nose. If it does, try a different size or style—we carry a variety of options at our shop!

Step 1: Prepare Your Mask and Face

Inhale gently through your nose: Take a gentle breath in through your nose. The mask should create a light vacuum and stay on your face all by itself—no hands needed!

Shake it out: Gently move your head side to side and up and down. A well-fitted mask will stay suctioned to your face without any help from the strap.

Try not to smile or make faces: Even a properly fitting mask can break its seal if your face movements are too extreme. So grin at a sea turtle or octopus on the inside!

Pro tip from our crew: If the mask falls off or breaks the seal during this test, it's not the right fit. Come see us at our Kawaihae shop, and we'll help you find the perfect match.

Step 2: The Suction Test (No Hands!)

Put the strap on : Once you've confirmed the mask seals well on its own, secure the strap around your head.

Adjust for comfort, not tightness : The strap should rest snugly but comfortably—never so tight that it leaves marks or causes discomfort. Position it high on the back of your head, not over or resting on your ears.

Understand the strap's job : The strap is there to keep the mask in place with minimal pressure, not to force a seal. If you're cranking it tight to stop leaks, the mask doesn't fit properly.

Step 3: Adjust the Strap for Comfort

Ready to Explore?

A properly fitted mask is your window to the underwater world! Whether you're snorkeling the vibrant reefs of Puako or diving the lava tubes at Crystal Cove, the right gear makes all the difference.

Need help finding your perfect fit? Stop by Kohala Divers at 61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy in Kawaihae, call us at (808) 882-7774, or visit our snorkel rentals page .

Our experienced team is here to ensure you have the best possible experience exploring the Big Island's stunning underwater treasures.

Mahalo for choosing Kohala Divers!

From Nervous to Certified: How Rebekah and then Christine Became Confident Divers

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:50:07 GMT

I began my journey into Scuba as a very nervous participant. I did not consider myself a very adventurous person and was coerced by a significant other to try Scuba. I was living in the pacific Northwest. Surrounded by cold and mysterious salt water bays, sounds and canals.

I was fascinated by everything about the underwater world except going into an environment inhospitable to human life.

When I finally was convinced to sign up for an open water scuba class I was terrified. I read the PADI manual cover to cover twice before the first class (this was before eLearning existed)

I was sure there was so much technical skill and memorization I’d need to master to make it out alive from my first dive.

The night before my first session I called the instructor to tell him this just wasn’t for me. I was terrified and I was pretty sure I did not have the ability to survive the pool session the next day. He asked me to please give it a try. He didn’t want to break his record of no student quitting on him and would I just get in the pool and see what happens. No pressure to continue after that.

I reluctantly agreed.

I over thought every skill in the pool and awkwardly made it through the skills development sessions. My instructor kept reminding me “relax this is fun”.

So far to me the stress of getting it right was over shadowing any fun to be had.

The weekend finally came to do the open water check out dives. We were going to a popular “easy” shore diving spot called Illahee state park.

It was a pebble beach with a long wooden dock with tall tar covered pilings with muscles and seaweed growing off of the stretches exposed from the low tide.

It was early fall so air temperature was mild but still we poured ourselves into double layer 7mm farmer John style wetsuits to keep warm

In the frigid 44 degree water of the puget sound. 7 mm hoods gloves and boots and I no longer felt, looked or moved like a human.

Our class of 5 waddled towards the sea fins in hand following our instructor and his assistant.

As we donned Fin’s and defogged our masks I was mildly panicking trying to reenact everything I’d learned and imagining (dreading) going below the black surface of this frigid water.

The plan was to start descending near a piling for reference. We did our buddy checks. BWRAF which of course I’d memorized from my panic studying. The other students raised their deflators. And carelessly dropped below with the dive pros.

I added more air to my BC and started to cry. The assistant instructor stayed below with the other comfortable divers and my instructor re emerged from below. Did you forget which button to push to release air he asked?

“No” I said “but I think I’m pretty cozy right here. Did you see how pretty the sky is today? Up here. Where we can breathe air? Without monitoring it? “

He laughed and asked if we could just put our regulators in and hold the pier and just let our heads go under. See what it’s like down there. No pressure. We can come right back up.

Well ok I could handle that.

As I released the air from the BC I found I didn’t drop out of control like I’d feared. In fact I could control it by exhaling. I was still pretty wide eyed and in my head but it was ok. Then Jim my instructor pointed at the piling.

There on a slimy black mound of algae was the most fluttery, colorful nudibranch you could imagine. Just slowly sliming his way along the pier. He had spiral spikes coming from his head and soft feathers coming from his back. I’d never seen anything like it. I moved closer and saw scattered below that was starfish in multiple colors laying over each other in a kaleidoscope of colors. Below that anemones opened and closed as they swayed in a gentle back and forth motion.

Keeping to his word Jim gave me the thumbs up to signal we could kick back to the surface from the 8 feet we’d descended. Before I could even get the regulator out of my mouth I was babbling about how cool the slug was and did he see the starfish and what was that soft sock looking thing with tentacles. I was giddy. He just smiled.

Want to join the others for open water dive one. YES.

Once I got out of my head I enjoyed every minute under water. The sinking descent controlled by an exhale. The tiniest touch to your Bouyancy device allowing you to position and stay weightless. The ease of sipping just the air you need without thought. The sound of bubbles that take over the chatter from above. I’d found my happy place and I’ve never looked back.

Fast forward 25 years later and I own a PADI 5 star dive business on the big Island of Hawaii. I’ve worked as a dive instructor for my entire career and now get to provide an environment for other budding instructors to live their passion and bring more new divers into the world of SCUBA.

To this day my favorite part of teaching diving is to those that it doesn’t come easily to. Bring me your terrified, your nervous, your overthinking land lovers that are curious about what it’s like beneath the sea and willing to try something they are scared of.

When my good friend Christine expressed interest in giving diving a try I was drop jawed. Since I’d known her she could barely get on a boat. Swimming in a 4 foot swimming pool conjured up fears of the megaladon for her. Perfect I thought. I’m always up for a challenge.

Her drive to learn scuba was to be part of her family’s adventures since they were divers. Also she wanted to prove to herself she could face her fears. For many fear of deep water runs deep.

Since it’s my passion to help new divers overcome fears and find peace underwater I wanted to learn more about where these fears come from.

Here are the main reasons people fear deep water:

�� 1. Fear of the Unknown

We can’t see what’s below us. The ocean’s vastness and darkness trigger anxiety—our brains tend to imagine what we can’t see, often in negative or threatening ways (e.g., sharks, sea monsters, drowning).
Unpredictability of the water’s movement, weather, or currents heightens this feeling of not being in control.

�� 2. Evolutionary Survival Instincts

Humans aren’t naturally aquatic. From an evolutionary standpoint, large, deep bodies of water posed a survival risk, especially without flotation or swimming abilities.
The fear of drowning is hardwired into many people, especially when there’s no visible bottom or land in sight.

�� 3. Media Influence & Cultural Narratives

Movies like Jaws, The Meg, or even Titanic have made deep or open water feel dangerous.
News stories about shipwrecks, drownings, or marine attacks reinforce the idea that the ocean is unsafe.

�� 4. Lack of Control & Vulnerability

When you’re in deep or open water, you’re often dependent on gear (scuba, flotation devices), boats, or other people.
Many people feel helpless or disoriented, especially if they can’t swim well or panic easily in water.

�� 5. Childhood Experiences or Trauma

A bad memory, near-drowning experience, or being taught that the ocean is dangerous can stick with someone for life.
Even secondhand stories or being overly warned by adults can create lasting fear.

�� 6. Depth Perception and Imagination

Deep water gives the brain very little spatial reference—no floor, no walls, just an endless drop.
This triggers claustrophobia in open spaces —a strange blend of feeling small, trapped, and exposed all at once.

To overcome these very real fears we at Kohala Divers make it part of our culture to teach with empathy, and understanding and to meet each diver where they are at. Here are the tools and tactics we’ve implemented in our training to help all divers thrive as they learn to take in new challenges and possibly face life long fears.

Our certified, experienced dive team is trained not only to guide you safely but to help you feel comfortable, informed, and confident every step of the way.

Here’s how we help nervous beginners:

We start shallow.
You’ll begin in a pool, where you can stand, breathe, and practice before going anywhere near the deep. Give it a try. See what happens.
You’ll always have a trained guide at your side.
We never rush you. Our team checks in with you constantly and stays close — you’ll never feel alone.
We explain everything clearly before you get in.
Knowing what to expect can erase half the fear. We walk you through the gear, the dive plan, and how to communicate underwater.
Our gear Supports you in the underwater environment
You won’t be “sinking” into the deep — you’ll be floating, gliding, and able to surface at any time.
You will also have an understanding of how your equipment functions along with alternative options in every situation.
No pressure to do more than you are ready for
We don’t measure your success by achieving certification as fast as you can. Some divers breeze through their course in the minimum required times. Others come back for extra sessions at their own pace. If you are excited to be trying something new you are successful.

To set Christine up for success on her journey to face her fears and become a certified scuba diver we started in the pool for a discover scuba session with no pressure to go beyond that. After explaining some very basic instructions on how the gear worked and what she could control and how, we agreed to sink below the surface and just try breathing underwater.

After a few minutes of success we agreed to swim to the 10’ section of the pool and take some time feeling the sensations and just being underwater.

When we surfaced after successfully breathing and experiencing weightlessness for a bit I saw a bit of relief on Christine’s face. “I did it” she said. 1/2 her fears had been put aside.

That was enough for the moment and we didn’t try to push further that day.

After she let that session sink in a few days she reached out to say she was ready for more and wanted to enroll in our certification class.

I was able to pair her with one of our amazing instructors who used the techniques mentioned above to help ease Christine into diving at her pace.

She completed her certification and now has 70 dives under her belt. She’s been able to join her family on dive vacations to Bonaire, Fiji and to spend quality time underwater here in Hawaii with her friend, me ��

Christine says to this day the fears occasionally return to mind, such as the time a white tip shark was following close behind our dive group one day, but she focuses on what she’s learned and as soon as she gets underwater it’s like she’s an entirely different person. Underwater Christine has dropped the limitations holding her back and can feel peaceful and connected underwater. When she’s gliding along a reef, watching glimmers of sunlight light up the coral and listening to distant whale songs she knows she has found her happy place too.

Call us at (808) 882-7774 or email us come up with an intro to diving plan that is right for you.
Love your first dive? Apply your experience toward a full PADI Open Water Certification and start your scuba journey!

Curious about learning to dive?

5 fish you will probably meet on a Hawaiian reef

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:39:37 GMT

Exploring the underwater world for the first time can be life changing!!

Becoming a snorkeler or Scuba diver can open up an entire new world of discovery. As a long time scuba diver I’ve become a self proclaimed fish nerd. I’ve dated each picture in the Hoover fish of Hawaii book hoovers ultimate book for when I first spotted a species. I know the different stages fish go though as they age making them look completely different from juvenile to adult like the Coris wrasse and the Dragon wrasse.

I’d say this is one of the main reasons snorkeling and diving are such life long addictive sports. There’s always more to explore, find, and learn about the depths of the ocean.

I still remember my first snorkel in Hawaii and the fish I saw that still impress me every time I scuba dive or snorkel. If you are just beginning your snorkeling adventures and want to start learning about what you are seeing here is a list of fish with their common and Hawaiian names that you will see on Hawaiis reef and what makes them special.

This hard to miss beauty is often mistaken for a butterfly fish but it is actually the only fish in its family Zanclidae. Its closest relative is the surgeon fish but it lacks the dorsal spine of the surgeon family. This fishes delicate small pointy mouth is perfect for feeding on sponges and is often found upside down on the roofs of caves or foraging in the shallows on the reef.

#1 Moorish Idol

Hawaiian name: kihikihi

There are many species of parrot fish in Hawaii and they change coloration from juvenile to adult. Males and females also have different coloration so these can be a tricky group to identify. Parrot fish behavior though is interesting to watch. Parrotfish feed on coral polyps and so they eat by taking bites from coral with their strong beak like mouth. You can hear the crunch as they munch the reef before your eyes. After they process the nutrients from the coral they break down and excrete the coral as white sand that they poop out to form much of Hawaiian beaches. Great thing to think about on your next beach nap.

#2 Parrot Fish

Hawaiian name: uhu

If a fish can pull off being cool this is the one. These stunning butterfly fish have spiky fins along the top of their body and a long snout. There are technically 2 varieties long nose and forceps butterfly though they look very similar. On the big island and especially the kohala Coast you may get lucky and see this fish go into a black color phase or even in transition between yellow and black. It’s not completely understood why they do this but the black lava rock terrain of the big island suggests perhaps it’s for camouflage.

#3 Longnose Butterflyfish

Hawaiian name: lau-wiliwili-nukunuku‘oi‘oi

Everything about this fish is yellow. Except its tiny white scalpel at the base of its tail. This sharp spike shows it to be part of the surgeon fish family. This family of fish can use their sharp “scalpel” to protect them from predators.

These reef beauties are very important residents as they feed on algae that could otherwise harm the reef. All reef systems need a delicate balance of residents to balance its health. The yellow tang is the most captured fish for the aquarium trade and this has caused stress for Hawaiis reefs. All reef fish are best left in the ocean to keep system thriving as a whole ecosphere.

#4 Yellow Tang

Hawaiian name: lau’ipala

These hard working industrious fish are guaranteed underwater entertainment. Their daily diet consists of mucus, fish scales and ectoparasites. They find these food sources by advertising grooming services. Fish will literally line up to get there turn at the local cleaner wrasse salon and these “businesses” often stay in the same locale day after day.

#5 Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse

Hawaiian name: none known

These are just 5 of the hundreds of amazing fish you will encounter when you snorkel or dive in the reefs of Hawaii. Be sure to pick get a great fish identification book like book hoovers ultimate t o learn to identify the fish that you see when you snorkel or dive. Knowing which fish are less common and why they behave like they do all leads to your time in the water being more meaningful and memorable.

DIVERS WHO DEFOG: YOUR GLASSES!

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:26:53 GMT

Is this you?!?!

Do you exhale in your socially-distant mask and fog your glasses? Well, the people who de-fog your scuba mask have some advice:

Start with a clean pair of glasses. This goes for your scuba mask, too! Use your dish soap: It is a fabulous de-greaser! Clean both inside and outside lenses, nose-piece, ear wands… all of it. Leave to dry or dry with a soft micro-fiber cloth.
A close fitting nose piece on your mask will reduce the fog exiting the top of the mask onto your glasses. Re-bend your nose wire (if it has), use a buff, situate it a little lower on your nose bridge (but still wear it properly! Cover those nostrils!)
When I know I will spend all day in glasses/mask combo, I clean my glasses that morning!
Our goggle/eyewear defog spray is made for this purpose: Spray both sides and clean dry with a cloth. DO NOT USE concentrated scuba defog, meant to be used with water! Check the print on your defog: Goggle defog is already watered down for use that close to the eyeball.
Hey! While you are at it, get your scuba mask out and give it a clean! Use that same dish soap! Then allow to dry and store in it’s box. If you have a neoprene mask strap, remove it from the mask while in storage: Neoprene off-gasses and discolors silicone mask skirts. We will be back using that spotless and non-discolored scuba mask in no time at all! Promise!

WHAT IS A HONU?

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:26:52 GMT

You’ll see postcards and tee shirts, mugs and candy bars, signage and paintings all over the islands…the honu is one of the predominant symbols of Hawaii.

A honu is a Green Sea Turtle and this species ( Chelonia mydas ) is the most common turtle you will see when you visit us in Hawaii. They have come to symbolize endurance, long life & good luck. Sea turtles are protected by law and so, remember to not harass or bother any turtles that you are lucky enough to observe, either in the water or on land.

Hawaii is one of the few populated places (especially the Kona – Kohala coast of the Big Island) where these turtles like to bask on the beaches and so, you will often see several turtles sunning themselves along the shoreline. The adults are herbivores that live on seagrass and algae (limu) and you can often find them resting underwater, on ledges or in caves. While they are reptiles and need to breathe air just like us, they can “sleep” underwater for up to 2 hours without surfacing! If you do spook one by accident, you’ll see them shoot away at up to 20mph!

Most of the nesting beaches for these turtles are in the Northwestern Hawaiian islands, away from the main centers of population. As with other types of marine turtles, the females will come onto land to lay their eggs (up to 100 at a time) in a deep pit which they will dig under the cover of darkness. About 2 months later, the juveniles will dig their way out & make their way to the sea, living primarily (as omnivores) on jellyfish for the first few years of their lives.

These turtles can reach a weight of 300-400 lbs and a length of 3-4ft.. While they can have some algae on their shells (carapace) giving them a greenish hue, these turtles actually get their name from the green color of their fat. While we are still learning much about the honu lifecycle, it’s believed they can live to be over 100 years old (and they take 20-50 years to reach sexual maturity).

Threats to these turtles include their natural predators tiger sharks but, they are suffering from more modern problems these days such as loss of secluded beaches for nesting (due to coastal development) and ingestion of plastics (how easily a discarded plastic bag or deflated balloon could appear like food to a hungry young honu, scouring the open ocean for jellyfish). Our oceans are also full of fishing gear, a major risk to turtles who can drown in nets. Some honu are suffering from a herpes type disease (fibropapillomatosis) which causes tumors to grow on their bodies.

Scientists are trying to find out what causes this disease – which can impact the foraging & digestive abilities of the honu – but it’s thought to have something to do with the overall degradation of their marine habitat. Other turtles that can be observed in Hawaii include the Hawksbill and less frequently seen leatherback, olive ridley and loggerhead turtles.

The honu of the Big Island looks forward to making your acquaintance!

Book a snorkel or dive trip with Kohala Divers to go to areas where Hawaiian Green Sea turtles are often encountered! Book Now!

WANT TO DIVE WITH YOUR KIDS? 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER.

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:26:51 GMT

Many avid divers who become parents end up hanging up their fins when a baby enters their world. It can be challenging to keep up the sport while trying to raise little ones. Vacations tend to be more Disney themed than remote islands for quite a few years for most families.

As your family ages however, the adventures tend to evolve. You want to share adventures with your kids.

Are you considering sharing your love of Scuba with your children? Want to know how to ease back into the sport yourself? Here is my advice on things I’ve learned from working with diving families over the years and recently getting my 10-year-old introduced to diving.

When I had my daughter 10 years ago, I was thrilled to imagine my own little dive buddy someday. At the time, it felt like that would be a lifetime away and then blink, here we are, her 10th birthday and she is getting certified. Where did the time go?

This is what I have learned from watching families who love to dive together and now being a dive family ourselves.

1. First You

If it has been a while since you have dived yourself it is a great idea to get yourself refreshed on diving separate from your child getting certified. Your nervous energy can be contagious, and you will be a stronger support and ultimately better dive buddy if you feel confident in your own skills underwater. Consider doing a refresher course which includes: Refreshing your academic dive knowledge online, followed by a pool session to refresh dive skills and to get reacquainted with equipment. This can be followed by boat dives with an instructor to practice your underwater skills while enjoying some great dives.

2. Ages and dive standards. When can kids dive?

PADI standards allow kids 10 and up to earn a junior open water certification. There are depth restrictions based on age even after certification:

10-12 year old are limited to 40 feet and must be accompanied by a certified adult while diving.
12-14 year old are limited to 60 feet (70 feet with continued education) and must dive with an adult certified diver.

All divers under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign administrative forms and liability release. Many Dive centers require divers under 18 be accompanied by an adult.

3. No Rush

The age for when you are allowed to dive and the best age to dive for your child may vary depending on the person. Diving takes multiple levels of maturity including ability to focus and study complex scientific theory . PADI training is delivered in an easy to understand and fun way to learn, but it does require focus, and comprehension.

Children’s size can make a difference in their ability to handle the gear for scuba. Dive gear comes in small sizes and is very adaptable to children but some may find it difficult to handle the gear in the way that’s required to get certified.

Another thing that can determine if your child is ready for SCUBA is their ears and equalization. If your kids love swimming and snorkeling have them practice freediving in shallow depths. My daughter would free dive to the bottom of our 10 foot deep pool from the time she was about 5 years old. I think this helped her ears adapt easier to the equalization needed in scuba.

If your child isn’t ready at a certain age don’t worry at all, you’ve got years to dive together! The less you try to rush it the more ready your child will feel when the time is right. If it’s not yet the time for them to start diving, try snorkeling with them. Also get your own dive lifestyle back in gear it will all change once you have that mini dive buddy by your side so enjoy the underwater me time.

4. What to Pack(Because kids need so much stuff)

Once your child is ready and enrolled in that PADI Scuba class don’t forget to set them up for success.

What to pack for pool lessons and boat days:

Snacks!!! Are kids ever not hungry? Add the excitement and underwater play and you had better double up the healthy snacks!!
Towel and layers on the boat. After being in the water even very warm air temps can feel cold so pack water resistant layers to bundle in. The best after-dive warmy is this boat coat from scubapro. It is an investment but so worth it. Better yet: get one for yourself and let them borrow it.
Hair ties – Diving leads to messy hair. A mid head ponytail or better yet braid works great for taming hair. If you keep the hairstyle in the middle of the head it leaves a nice shelf for the mask strap to sit on.
Mask comfort strap . This makes it easier to adjust where the mask strap sits and doesn’t pull hair, great for snorkelers and divers!!
Reef safe sunscreen . Be sure to lather them in reef friendly sunscreen. Our boat Namaka has the stream to sea brand on board and sells it in the shop. A little but goes a long way so use only a tiny dab per area. Avoid applying to the face right before diving as it may get in the eyes if it hasn’t absorbed completely. I like the tinted version for everyday wear as you don’t end up looking ghostly.
Rash guard Having a sun protection shirt is so helpful. You will use less sunscreen and kids won’t get sunburnt shoulders etc. Depending on the water temps they may be able to dive in just a rash guard? Otherwise they can wear it under a wetsuit or don it as soon as suit comes off.

5. Everyone kicks to their own drum

Kids look at the world through a vastly different lens than adults. At times it comes across as annoying or “not the right way” but if behavior is safe for scuba let them enjoy what they enjoy about being underwater . I’ve yet to see a kid in the water that doesn’t have more fun catching other divers bubbles then being serious swimmers. If they are taught that they need to be aware of buoyancy and not follow those bubbles up, hey it is pretty fun to bubble catch.

My daughter loves communicating above water and so she also needs to communicate a lot underwater. We’ve created our own little hand signal language. Sometimes we make each other laugh until our mask fills with water from our underwater jokes. The other day she surfaced with a hollowed sea urchin on her head and I fake sneezed parrot fish cocoon at her. Good thing she really learned her mask clear skill.

It’s ok to have fun above and below the water and kids are great at reminding us of that.

6. Energy, excitement and nerves

Learning to dive takes a lot of physical and mental energy and you may see your child’s behavior change when learning to dive. Kids often act hyperactive or change how they behave when they are stressed. Being nervous and being excited are such similar emotions your child may not know which they are feeling or how to channel it. Ask their feedback on what they are experiencing, this can help them recognize their feelings and channel nervousness into acting cautiously and thoughtfully.

Try to schedule some time to be a kid and get some energy out before lessons and then set expectations for times they need to be more focused on learning.

Trying to be overly strict or expecting them to be able to be as calm as adults is unrealistic and will lead to frustration for you both. If they are feeling overwhelmed the pace and planned schedule may need to be delayed, that’s ok. Celebrate accomplishments and leave room for learning at the right pace for them.

7. Your instructor knows scuba, you know your kid

Parents and kids seem to enjoy diving more when the parent trusts the instructor and allows them to be the teacher. When signing up for a dive class ask if the instructor is good with children and choose an operation that specializes in family diving ! Once you feel confident in the instructor try to be a support to your child. It’s best not to interrupt or tell your child to do things in a different way than the instructor recommends. There are reasons the instructor has your child do skills in a certain way as they are highly trained in helping new divers learn new skills. Underwater if you choose to dive with your child during instruction observe the process but certainly don’t try to correct behavior or scold your child underwater. (Yes, we’ve seen it all).

On the other hand, even if your instructor has the most experience in teaching diving you know your child better. If you notice unusual behaviors or see stress in your child or feel your child isn’t paying their best attention reach out to the instructor privately and voice your concerns so they know to help the student in the best way. If your child is misbehaving such as disrespecting sea life, equipment or others than certainly there may need to be some parenting involved but it can usually be done privately and in a way that helps your young diver know what’s expected.

8.Welcome to a whole new outlook

Once your kid makes it through to certified diver status it is like rediscovering a love for diving in a whole new way. Things you’ve experienced under water 100 times are all new when sharing it. Dive travel can expand to allow the family to dive together and make exciting memories. Try to keep your family active in diving by diving locally and planning dive vacations as often as possible. Keep learning together by taking Specialty classes as a team.

9. Celebrate success

Whatever level your child makes it to in diving whether its just trying it in a pool, getting junior certified, or logging 10 dives, keep celebrating accomplishments together. Setting goals in diving will keep the sport fun and will likely keep their attention.

10. Congratulations you’ve raised an earth conscious adventurer who will make the world a better place!!

In this crazy world we live in, young people need more than ever a connection to nature and to others. Giving your child an opportunity to be part of scuba diving community builds confidence, instills a love of nature and adventure. Children who interact in a positive way with nature are more likely to care about it and get involved in helping to protect the environment. You never know where an early love of scuba will lead to for your child. A lifelong passion for the ocean? Future career? Great memories for sure!!

LEARN ABOUT THE CROWN-OF-THORNS STAR

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:26:49 GMT

The crown of thorn Starfish are found on nearly every site we visit on the Kohala Coast. Divers often ask us after a dive “What was that cactus looking thing” or “was that a weed on the coral?” Read on for some info on these interesting invertebrates.

While enjoying the reefs of Hawaii and all their marine life, spare a thought for the corals on today’s menu!

The diner is Acanthaster planci , Crown-of-Thorns star (COTS) and his favorite meal is coral polyps, especially those of Pocillopora meandrina (Cauliflower coral).

The body is disc-shaped, up to 18” across, with as many as 21 arms, it’s usually red/green in color and the whole thing is covered in venomous spines. Don’t get too close…many divers will tell you of their discomfort having inadvertently got too friendly with this star (burning pain, numbness and possible discoloration of the area for a couple of days)!

While enjoying the reefs of Hawaii and all their marine life, spare a thought for the corals on today’s menu!

The diner is Acanthaster planci , Crown-of-Thorns star (COTS) and his favorite meal is coral polyps, especially those of Pocillopora meandrina (Cauliflower coral).

They are impressive creatures, using all of those arms to climb atop coral colonies where they then extrude their stomachs and secrete enzymes to liquify & digest individual coral polyps. Just the white coral skeletons remain, when they absorb the available nutrients and move on. True horror movie stuff!

While these stars have wreaked havoc on some reefs around the world (including the Great Barrier reef), here in Hawaii we don’t appear to have a big issue with them yet, and usually, one won’t see more than a few at any one site. In places where they have become a real issue, divers can physically remove the creatures or inject them with household vinegar to kill them… although either option is time-consuming & costly.

There are some in Hawaii who believe that this predator may in fact be doing some good for the reef, feeding on some good for the reef, feeding on some of the faster-growing corals (such as Cauliflower & Rice corals) and increasing coral diversity on Hawaiian reefs.

In Hawaii, their main natural predator is the Triton’s Trumpet snail; also Harlequin Shrimp, Stripebelly Pufferfish and Lined Fireworms will feast on this star.

We hope you will get a chance to observe this impressive star, when diving with us at Kohala Divers in Hawaii!

Cleaning your dirty SCUBA mask!

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:26:48 GMT

WRONG: Tina’s wondering if you used the 3-color swirl Aquafresh. This was old advice when toothpastes were grainy pastes, not colored gels. A brand-new mask is shipped with a protective layer of silicone covering to protect the lenses. If this coating is left on the new mask constantly fogs up. It is true that a new mask, and also a very dirty one, will benefit from a good scrub with a grainy but safe substance. We always scrub our customer’s masks with SeaBuff (a product available at the shop specifically made for new masks), or Softscrub (rinse well!), or a home-made paste of baking soda and water. Rinse very well, especially in the corners, because these substances can be harmful.

“I used a lighter to burn off the silicone! Muh-ah-ha-ha!”

Tina says, “YIKES. We are not in Mexico!” Sure, some pyromaniacs swear by a lighter to burn off and remove this silicone layer. But really: You are going to take a lighter to your new $100 mask? We are not convinced what they are wiping off is anything other than smokey lighter fluid residue.

“Hey! I take care of my mask! I dunk it in the rinse bucket with my fins after every dive!”

Well, good for you. You have now “rinsed” off the salt water and various ocean microbes… and replaced that with wetsuit shampoo, slightly diluted salt water and various ocean microbes, and maybe human pee. Put THAT on your face.

Tina makes a Blue Dawn/ Alcohol/ water mix that we call Tina’s Magical Mask Mix. But at home, you can just use dish-washing soap like blue Dawn. It cuts the grease, sunscreen and makeup and restores the clarity of the silicone mask skirt. Tina nags us to do this with every mask. After every dive. Every day. And she is right.
We scrub the soap into the silicone skirt, making sure to get the nose, sides, the second ridge along the skirt, and all the little pockets. Rinse with clear, fresh water and leave to dry.

“There are tiny gouges and holes along the edge of my mask skirt!”

If you live in Hawaii, then insects are chewing on your mask. It is like a salty, greasy gummi bear to those bugs. Face it: Wrapped in bacon and dipped in Ranch dressing and you would probably eat it, too. After a good cleaning and drying, store your mask in the box it came in- airtight and protected from hungry critters! Never store a dirty mask- set yourself up nicely for your next dive season.

“Even after a good soapy wash, my mask skirt is beyond help. It is yellow, opaque, brittle, and even feels thicker than a new mask skirt!”

A thick, yellow mask skirt has usually been stored with neoprene. Wetsuits, boots, and even neoprene mask straps that we love so much can off-gas in storage and ruin your mask. When storing your clean, dry mask in its original box, remove the neoprene strap or strap keeper! We like to seal ours in a ziplock bag and store it with your other neoprene in a separate spot.

“And what about that mold?”

Yuck. The black mold that grows in the edges! You could try the old Listerine soak, but be sure to rinse very well because Listerine can be corrosive to silicone. Or maybe taking it apart, according to manufacturers directions, and cleaning the parts. Or finally, the old stand-by: Switch to a black-skirted mask so the black mold doesn’t show!
If left in your mask, the mold will eat away at the silicone until a pit develops, then a hole. Just ask Scott. Tina had to steal his mask and take it straight to the health department.

Don’t make Tina call the Health Department on you!

PRO-TIP : If you are de-fogging your mask by spitting in it, then you are causing that black mold in the corners! Ewwww! But stay tuned:

“I remember when my mask looked as clean and clear as the new masks on your shelf!”

“Why does my mask fog up all the time? And what is that moldy looking stuff in the corners?”

“Tina, why are you twitching?”

Tina is twitching because your mask is nasty-looking, and she just… CAN’T. So today a very special edition of Fish-Geek’s-Technique-Speak will allow Tina to share all her awesome dive mask tips. She will feel less twitchy and you will be rewarded with comfort, crystalline visibility, and a mask that looks and feels like new!

“I scrubbed it with toothpaste!”

Kohala Divers Dive Blog

Kohala Coast Dive Buds: Steve Smith

What's your dive deal? What keeps you diving?

What's your underwater super power?

What's your funniest or most bizarre dive memory?

Is there one dive that you remember that stands out as a top dive ever? Why? Where was it?

What is your most unexpected underwater animal encounter? -what happened?

What's the biggest rookie move you've ever done on a dive? How did it turn out?

What underwater fish or creature do you think is under rated? (You think they're awesome but most divers don't seem to notice them? )

What's one ocean conservation habit you'd love to see more of?

What's one specific piece of dive gear you own that makes your dive remarkably better?

Diving Mindful on Serenity Sunday

Introducing Serenity Sundays

How to Make Serenity Sunday More Intentional

Try to be in the moment by seeing what is happening near us and releasing expectations of what we want to be there.

Be patient with your dive skills or setbacks

Enjoy neutral buoyancy. Notice how your position is affected by your breath.

Listen

Exhale your troubles and watch them float away in bubbles

Kohala Divers Daily Descent: September 2026

Annual Tent Sale: Saturday, October 3

Kohala Coast Dive Buds: Meet Gunner

Science Friday Mission 005: Critter Buddy Systems

T-Shirt of the Month

Crew Corner: A Truck in the Harbor

Dive or Snorkel with Us

Kohala Coast Dive Buds: Gunner Ganske

What's your dive deal? What keeps you diving?

What's your underwater super power?

What's your funniest or most bizarre dive memory?

Is there one dive that stands out as your top dive ever?

What is your most unexpected underwater animal encounter?

What's the biggest rookie move you've ever done on a dive?

What underwater creature do you think is underrated?

What's one ocean conservation habit you'd love to see more of?

What's one piece of dive gear that makes your dives remarkably better?

Science Friday 005: Critter Buddy Systems

When It Pays to Have a Partner

The Reef’s Cleaning Station

Hunting with Eight Arms

Cover the Exits

What We’re Still Wondering

Next Science Friday:

Mission 006: Reef Builders

Science Friday 004: Hidden in the Reef

Hiding Until Dark

A Coral on the Ceiling

The Trees That Are Actually Worms

Hidden Arms in the Reef

A Crab Living Between the Branches

What We’re Still Wondering

Next Science Friday:

Mission 005: Critter Buddy Systems

Come Dive With Us

Science Friday 003: The Grazers

Not All Grazers Graze the Same Way

Parrotfish Scraping the Reef

A Yellow Tang Takes a Different Bite

The Fish With Its Own Farm

Grazing Without a Fish

What We’re Still Wondering

Next Science Friday: Mission 004: Hidden in the Reef

Come Dive With Us

Science Friday 002: Masters of Disguise

The Trumpetfish That Changed Before Our Eyes ﻿

An Urchin Wearing the Reef

The Lizardfish We Often Swim Past

What We're Still Wondering

Disappearing Isn't One Strategy

Next Science Friday: Mission 003: The Grazer

Come Dive With Us

Science Friday 001: Who Ate That?

Reading the Reef

Parrotfish Were Here

Something Ate the Urchins

Then We Caught One in the Act

What We're Still Wondering

Start Looking for the Evidence

Next Science Friday: Mission 002: Masters of Disguise

Come Dive With Us

Next Science Friday:
Mission 004: Hidden in the Reef

The Trumpetfish That Changed Before Our Eyes

Next Science Friday:
Mission 003: The Grazer

Next Science Friday:
Mission 002: Masters of Disguise