Kona, HI dive vacation

[hogfanreefer]

My wife and I are in Kailua, HI on a mainly dive vacation. The diving has been great despite the threats of hurricanes Kilo and Ignacio. Definitely more physical than the drift diving we have done in Cozumel and Belize but the fish populations and the reef health is amazing. Water temps a pleasant 82-84 degrees.

Wanted to share some of the pics. We have seen almost every species on our wanted list except flame wrasse and bandit angels.

We did the Manta dive last night. Will start with the video from that dive.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zhCfkrePDs8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[hogfanreefer]

A few random pictures.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/pyramid%20%20butterfly%201%20of%201_zpscijzjaev.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/unkown%20Coris%20Wrassse%203%201%20of%201_zpsk9uptx9r.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/Hidden%20crab%201%20of%201_zpsupqvxrrz.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/Blue%20Trumpetfish%201%20of%201_zpsrcrtffrm.jpg

[hogfanreefer]

Blackside Hawkfish
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/hawkfish%20perch%202%201%20of%201_zpszpd9wce2.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/blue%20porites%201%20of%201_zpsycwqtkin.jpg

Juvie Dragon Wrasse
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/Dragon%20wrase%20juvie%201%20of%201_zps4vzpvr7t.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/frogfish%202%201%20of%201_zpsajqlqzjz.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/orange%20banded%20tang2%201%20of%201_zpsz91enpna.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/huntindoc/Dive%20pics/urchins%201%20of%201_zps1u7ujclg.jpg

[ace_92101]

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing. The Big Island is definitely my favorite Hawaiian island. There's some very good shore diving as well.

[Deinonych]

Nice. IMO, the Big Island has the best diving in the Hawaiian islands. My wife and I are heading there in a little over a month for some diving and relaxation (staying in the Puako area). Flame wrasses and bandits are uncommon on Big Island. Tons of flame wrasses on Molokini (Maui) and Bandits are relatively common around Niihau from what I've been told. Have yet to see a Bandit or Tinker's while diving in Hawaii.