Postcards from Maui - Day 6

Honokeana Bay

Entry for snorkeling

The wind was down today, so whale activity was easy to spot. Seems like tale slapping is en vouge.

Our rental condo faces Honokeana bay, home to about a dozen Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) and gazillions of reef fish. What we don’t have is a beach. The easiest bay entry from the property we’re on is pictured above. DeeAnn and I went today. Honokeana bay is well known for its resident honu population, prompting this educational note posted near the entry point: 

Translation: Don't pet the turtles.

Although the bay isn’t that wide, its center is mostly sand, with rock and corral reefs  lining the perimeter. All the usual suspects were present, including the Hawaiian trigger fish (humuhumunukunuku‘apau‘a – now say it fast three times!). We learned last year that name means something like “fish that swims backwards and snorts like a pig.” Isn’t that romantic? I’m not sure I heard the snort, but I did hear whalesong while underwater. If you’d like to catch live performances of the latest cetacean hits, log on to www.whalesong.net. As I write this, I’m listening to “A Little Night Music.” It’s seems like simple call and response music form (for you musicians, a lower range upward slur followed by a midrange downward slur). DeeAnn thinks it sounded unusual, like whales imitating cats.

We spotted several honu. I dove and swam at a respectful following distance, watching the graceful and unhurried undulations of flippers. Then there was the granddaddy, many times more massive than the rest. He wasn’t afraid to look right at us and take us in.

I decided to take a tour beyond the two points outside of the bay to check out the reefs that make the surf stand up. I’ll just say that taking a look only increases respect for the wave you’re paddling into. And it’s interesting to see that one large, fairly shallow spot that sends the boil up the face. Be sure not to wipe out until after the boil!

Back in our condo, DeeAnn noticed that at least a half dozen turtles were floating along the surface, something she noted occurs most mornings and evenings. So honu have parties. Cool.

Dinner was grilled mahi mahi with a pineapple-macadamia nut salsa, garlic mashed potatoes, string beans and a salad. Goes great with pinot noir. And garlic bread Yum! Thanks, DeeAnn!!