I can't remember the exact weekend but it was about 2-3 weeks before my first deployment and my then girlfriend, now wife, surprised me (I hate surprises but this one was awesome) with a trip to Kauai including an all day Catamaran cruise with Blue Dolphin Charters up the Na Pali Coast and over to the forbidden island of Niihau to go on my first ever scuba dive.
Niihau is a private island at the very tip of the Hawaiian Island Chain and is owned by the Robinson family, it was bought from King Kamehameha V in 1864 by the Sinclair family and has been passed down from generation to generation; it has remained private ever since. The population on this sacred island is about 130 people and Native Hawaiian is the primary language spoken. No visitors are allowed on the island unless special circumstance and arrangements are approved (this approval is extremely hard and is usually only given to immediate family of those living on the island). The only semi-access to Niihau is via boat from Kauai or Helicopter. Only a few companies are allowed to give these tours and the rules are strict.
Enough with history....the dive:
Location: East Ni'ihau at "Super Highways"
Date: July/August 2009
Visibility: 20 Feet
Max Depth: 20 Feet
Bottom Time: 40 Minutes
Weight: 22 lbs.
Exposure Protection: None
Conditions: Salt Water/Boat Dive
Company: Blue Dolphin Charters
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| Instructor/Dive Master & I :: I'm Awesome |
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| Joyce Napali Coast (Kauai) |
This was before my underwater camera so we used a cheapo throw-away camera. I also left my SLR at the hotel in fear that it would get water damage on the boat.
Note: Niihau is not known for its Reefs but for its underwater volcanic landscape & just the sheer thrill of diving the forbidden isalnd.
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