Upwellings: Golden Arches South and Pyramid Pinnacles 6/22/21

First day of Summer calm was on the ocean today, and the sky was clear and vaulted blue up over the crest of Hualalai and Mouna Loa in the distance tot he south.

Honu One, Kona Honu Divers flagship boat idled out of Honokohau Harbor and picked up our dolphin escort. Also escorting us was a single outrigger paddler who hitchhiked onto our stern wave way out past the green can. Life is good.

There had been some north running current in the last few days, and at Golden Arches we noticed a small current, but not enough to be annoying. I was glad, however, not to have my wide angle dome on the housing. That thing makes my rig a sail that catches any current.

First thing we found was an assembly of Flameback Coral Shrimp and Banded Coral Shrimp.

The variety of creatures today was stunning–seems everyone was out to enjoy the summer conditions. Here's a Devil Scorpionfish and a couple of nudis, a Fried Egg nudi and a Gold Lace. Near the end of the dive, as we angled back toward the south arch Rob found a Viper Moray lying upside down in his hole. We've seen him in there before but he was a bit more accessible, even though still upside down.

Back under the arch I found the resident school of Bluestripe Snappers that live there and flipped upside down to get a pic of the golden Cup Coral that the arches are named after.

Back on the boat we headed south back in the direction of the harbor to check out Pyramid Pinnacles, where the calm conditions might afford us a rare chance to explore the inshore lava tube that meanders under the lava shelf and feels like a Disney attraction that we can swim through. Out on the reef before heading toward the shadowy lava tube entrance we found a number of day Octopus. Here's one who decided to slink back in his hole as I approached.

Here's where I had a WTF moment. Hey, an underwater centipede, and it does look like one, though this specimen is a Lined Fireworm. Actually, the three species of Fireworms in Hawaii have a lot in common with centipedes. Mainly, they are venomous and can deliver a painful sting. Thus, Fireworm. This is a young one, and I stayed away. Shortly afterward I found this Orange Band Surgeonfish and a couple of more nudis, a Strawberry and a Trembling nudi.

Finally we arrived at the opening of the lava tube. What you do is look in and see if there are any vortices of small bubbles whirling about in the first few meters of the entrance. That means, don't go in. Today, nothing but calm water and no surge. In we go.

That shot is from about half way through. Here's the video. Click here.

Back out in the boulders Janine found some pretty Zoanthids, and found me to look at them because she knows I love them. Thanks J9. The boulder field is a great habitat for lots of animals with lots of cracks and crannies to find homes. Here's the Spotted Puffer i found under a ledge and a Bicolor nudi that Janine's sharp eye singled out.