Honolua Bay

[webbah]

I've heard that there is a cranky local who likes to collect $5 for the use of the dive site. I don't mind paying it if the conditions are right. But is it $5/person - or $5/car to appease the guy?

 

[Wildcard]

There is always the risk of damage if you don't pay the protection/extortion money. When the guy pulls his crap, take his picture and make sure he understands he will be arrested if anything happens while your underwater.
Welcome to Hawaii, can't you just feel the Aloha?
BTW, leave nothing in your car, ever.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

It is 5 dollars per car and he's breaking the law. I have met him and he was plesant to me but while standing there chatting with him a young very very white young couple walk down the path (they parked on the road) and he didn't mention a 5 dollar donation, there was no doubt he wanted an illegal fee. When the kid said he didn't have any money on him the local said in a threatening voice "I think someone might break into your car up there".

So this is probaly this couples first trip to Maui and probably day one since they were sooo white. What was their impression of Maui at that point?

My understanding is that the powers that be plan to come down hard on this guy and the sooner the better in my book. We love diving Honolua but after 30 days of diving on Maui we did only one dive because I really didn't feel like dealing with him.

He was rude to all of my friends who went up there including one day when he chased people away and said "today I've closed the beach". Yeah that's legal.

 

[Charlie99]

It has generated quite a few letters to the editor in the Maui News, complete with differing versions of what is going on, and charges of racism. One of those "Shoreline Access" signs would resolve the situation, in indeed there is a right of public access to that area.

http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=25341
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=25101
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=24645
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=25219

It has turned out quite differently than what it looked like last July

Good News For Honolua Bay Scuba Divers

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A friend and I dove Honolua Bay today (only place on the island with better than 20ft vis I think) and discovered some good news.

The family that owns the land is in the process of building on it and has begun allowing limited parking at the bay itself, using their private driveway. The only ones allowed to park are handicapped persons, pregnant women, and scuba divers

This makes the walk to Honolua MUCH shorter and easier. Be sure to thank the owners when you see them as this a real privilege. Might even be worth an occasional "donation" in their box too

(from http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=152975 )

 

[kidspot]

yeah - unfortunately it sounds like at least "some" of the owners are trying to "milk" the situation for all it's worth it was nice when it was the way I posted in Charlie's link ... unfortunately it looks like an attitude is growing that is changing that

Lots of other good places for shore diving, just drop me a PM when you know your travel dates and if I've got a free day I'd love to show you some of them.

Aloha, Tim

 

[KrisB]

same offer goes here -- PM me your dates and we can try and hook up...

 

[KrisB]

Maui News: 2 arrested for Honolua access charges
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=25534

 

[kidspot]

Thanks for the update Kris - really sad what greed does - unfortunately this has probably left a bad taste in the mouth of many visitors

 

[KrisB]

no kidding.

I mean, if he was providing A SERVICE, I don't think it's a big deal... you know, like closer-to-the-beach parking, BONDED security people, shuttle between beach and cars... fine.

But it sounds like it really turned to extortion and threats.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Brad told me they'd go down hard on this guy and boy they did. The idiot teen pulled a knife?

I hope this screws up his plans to build there too.

Some of my friends are going to be very happy reading this story