Hi x2ego,
For openers, highly recommended for the visitor to Maui is Andrew Doughty & Harriett Friedman's "Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook, Second Edition" (
http://www.amazon.com/Maui-Revealed...ef=sr_1_4/104-0319764-0037541?ie=UTF8&s=books)
For diving, Maui is my 2nd choice after the Big Island (Kona). On Maui it depends really on where you are staying because Maui is like 2 islands (
http://www.bestofhawaii.com/maps/maui_map.shtml) south side which has Kehei, Weilea, and Makena - with some good shore diving and located close enough to the Molokini preserve. Diving out of West Maui, meaning Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, etc., usually indicates that the diving will be by boat and off to the island of Lanai, meaning Cathedrals #1 and #2, Monolith, Sergeant Major and even Turtle Haven. There is some shore diving that is available. Mike Severns (
http://www.mikesevernsdiving.com/) dives out of Kehei boat ramp and is the operation that has the greatest knowledge of Molokini - both he and his wife are biologists and have the definitive coffee table book. Out of Lahaina, the Mala Wharf, is Erik Stein's Extended Horizons (
http://www.scubadivemaui.com/) and they also supply good equipment. Both of these are charters, and do not have stores. Lahaina Divers (
http://www.lahainadivers.com/) is a safe operation that caters to the walk-in trade and a good cattle boat op. Day trips to Lanai good, but IMHO Molokini Crater on the front side is way over rated -- it's snorkel & scuba central & shows the wear & tear. Back side can be good, weather permitting, but is for experienced divers only due to depth, current & often rough surface conditions. Ed Robinson's (
http://www.mauiscuba.com/erd1.htm) is a very popular dive op. Although I've found them a bit of a cattle op, they are professional & want you thave fun. On the north shore of Maui at Nakalele Point (where the lighthouse is) there is a wall which plummets over 130' straight down (that's as far as I've gone). I admit that it is a very tough climb down and then back up the lava cliffs, and that it is a very physical dive, but the wall is still there for the hardy (mountain-goat types). As to the coral situation, there are two very colorful areas within easy shore diving distance. One is right along the road to Lahaina at Olawalu. The other is on the north side about 3 miles past Kapalua. It is a marine preserve called Honolua Bay. Purchase the small paperback "The Diver's Guide to Maui" either locally or thru Amazon (
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0961477504/104-0319764-0037541?v=glance&n=283155).
Get you started?
Regards,
DocVikingo