Wow, Doug.... easy there..... I would expect a dive op from a shore dive to be 100% legal. And nothing less, I was mearly asking for reference for a personal shore dive.[/I]
Yes, so would I. However, as Charlie pointed out, most operators / instructors simply tie off their flags. Many leave them in the water when they are on shore too. That is not the way it is supposed to be done by the "Professionals". I have no idea what your level of diving is, but pro or not, you should take the flag. It's for your safety.
I would HOPE that NO-LOCAL would give me stink eye~!!!!! I have surfed for years in San Diego, and there is no way I would surf in Hawaii ever again after the run in I had with some local there. This falls right into the whole stereo typing that locals have with outsiders. YOU have a bad reputation for how you treat mainlanders as well as breaking into any rental car out there cus you "Think" you deserve it. Last I knew we were ALL in the United States together.
It ticks me off the way you treat a Haole, but yet you let the Japanese run all over you guys...
How I treat a haole?? Are you kidding me? I am one of the friendliest people you will ever meet here! I am the haoles ally. I'm a haole too, bro! I'm very sorry if you took my post as an attack. Again, as Charlie said, I wrote with passion not hostility. You were not the only person who made comments here. I am addressing everyone that made a post. By the way, I have never broken into any rental car, ever.
If I told you how many times I've gotten stink-eye around here your head would spin. There are many locals who dislike divers interfering with their fishing and beach activities. I've had rocks thrown at me and my group while underwater (from above on the cliffs!), I've been threatened in the parking lots, I've had run-ins at the entry / exits too. All I'm saying is try to comply with the rules here and you will be less likely to have problems. Do you have any idea how many "tourists" or "haoles" show up here and do things "their way"? (Look for the bumper stickers that say "We don't care how you do it on the mainland") Do you have any idea how much trespassing takes place? (Five Caves dive site is a prime example). How much disregard for the locals happens? This is how you end up getting stink-eye. Many times it stems from the person giving it, not getting it. You might think you are totally in the right (and legitimately are) but the local boy doesn't see it that way and decides he wants to make you feel uncomfortable. I've seen it too many times. I'm just trying to give you a "heads up" warning.
Guess I wont be using you guys to dive with after your comments!!!![/I]
That's your choice and I'm totally OK with it. It's also your loss too. Your original post made it sound like you were going on your own anyway. There are few people around here that have the experience and expertise that I do, especially when it comes to shore diving. You'll see when you get here. Please at least introduce yourself to me if you see my Scubabus at the dive sites. I'd like to meet you and make things right. As I said, my comments were not directed at you as an attack. They were in response to all of the posts on this thread, especially the ones who basically said it's "OK to "Fudge" on the flag".
Our local government (ie: Maui County Parks Department) has charged me as someone who is responsible for "Policing" my industry (Shore Diving). It is my duty to make sure that people comply with their rules (which include local, county and state laws). As an Ocean Recreational Activity Permit holder, I am expected to follow the rules, advise others of the rules, and make complaints against people who violate those rules. I am one set of eyes and ears for the county and they rely on folks like me to help them with their job of controlling the beach activities and making sure everything goes smoothly. Just doing my job. Believe me, I would prefer it if they could handle this on their own but they can't. So here I am, spreading out some information and trying to make it easier on everyone. I know you don't want a ticket and I'm sure you don't want a head wound from a boat prop! I've seen two victims of diver/boat collisions during my 22 year career as a diving pro. I never want to see that again!!!
I hope you have a nice trip to Maui and let me know if you need a flag...you can borrow one of mine.
