HAWAII...HAWAII...HAWAII......My job is forcing me to go to HAWAII

[RICHinNC]

I know...sometimes life just sucks!!

Anyway.... I am going to be in Hawaii from what looks like 19 Jan to 8 Feb 06 and it looks like I will be staying in the Pearl City area in some apt complex that starts with the word '''Pepper'''.

Do we have any SB member that live in the area and can recommend the closest dive ops to the apt that is decent.....and might like to go diving ???

And, would a shortie be fine there that time of year or would I need a 3mm?
Thanks
Rich

[okamiotoko2004]

Welcome to pradise. Not sure where you will be staying at but if you have the rest of the name I can give a good idea. /for dive shops, by the Arizona memorial is Ocean Concepts which is probably closests. There is also Tropical Divers. I have dived with both and they are good. There is a bunch in the Waikiki area that cater to tourists but they usually give discounts to locals. Waikiki is either a really quick drive or really long depending on traffic from the Pearl City area.
As far as suits I usually dive with a 3mm. But I have seen plenty of people dive with shorties and skin. Water temp is 77- about 81 right now and is consistent all year round.
If you want to do some diving here and/or need some info pm me I have been on island for about 6 years now. I am on and off island quite abit due to work but when here get wet every chance I get.

[XJae]

that's just terrible... work travel. :14:

i'll second ocean concepts. they are up on the nw side of the island,
but they will pick you up in their van if you're immoble. nice op, father
and son run, let you do your own thing in contrast to vacationing noobs.

[chepar]

Anyway.... I am going to be in Hawaii from what looks like 19 Jan to 8 Feb 06 and it looks like I will be staying in the Pearl City area in some apt complex that starts with the word '''Pepper'''.

Do we have any SB member that live in the area and can recommend the closest dive ops to the apt that is decent.....and might like to go diving ???

And, would a shortie be fine there that time of year or would I need a 3mm?

Ok, if it's the apartment complex that I think it is - it's called "Peppermill" or something like that and it's located off Kam Highway across from Pearlridge shopping mall. Not luxury apartments, but it should be ok, I guess.

I live about 10 minutes away. The closest dive shops will either be the Ocean Concepts shop at Pearl Harbor or Coral Divers on Moanalua Road. You can schedule boat dives with Ocean Concepts, but as far as I know, Coral Divers is more of a neighborhood shop to take classes, rent tanks and other gear at.

Both shops are good, but with completely different vibes. Ocean Concepts is very organized and efficient - and the Pearl Harbor shop is very nice. There is little flex in their policies, though - when they say 24 hour rental, it is exactly that. If you have a military ID, you will be able to get a discount from Ocean Concepts.

Coral Divers is a lot more laid back with their rental policies - just return it sometime before they close the next day. The shop is a bit scruffy in comparison to Ocean Concepts and they don't have as wide a range of brands to purchase from. Personally, I prefer Coral Divers, but that is due to several factors - cost of tank rental, the more laid back rental policy, it's closer to my house, and that the owner/workers are holdovers from my favorite dive shop that closed last year.

Personally, I would freeze in a 3 mil shorty in January. That time of year I dive with a 3/5 full wetsuit, and I'm looking for a full 5 mil to take its place. But if you're used to colder water, it may feel like bathwater to you. Last Jan/Feb the water temps were in the lower to mid 70s.

[justleesa]

Personally, I would freeze in a 3 mil shorty in January. That time of year I dive with a 3/5 full wetsuit, and I'm looking for a full 5 mil to take its place. But if you're used to colder water, it may feel like bathwater to you. Last Jan/Feb the water temps were in the lower to mid 70s.

Girlfriend...that's because you don't have any natural insulation

Rich: I am sure you can hook up with some locals and clubs...Chepar knows more on that as I am a 99.9% boat/tourist diver

[roakey]

And, would a shortie be fine there that time of year or would I need a 3mm?
Thanks
Rich

I dive a Henderson 7/5 full jumpsuit in Hawaii.

Roak

[ch0ppersrule]

Pearl City is right around the corner from Hickam AFB which has Island Divers and of course like everyone else mentioned Arizona Memorial area with Ocean Concepts. IDH gives military and Kama'aina discounts. All my diving this year (to include the summer) has been in a 5~3~4 wetsuit. Guess I will be in a 7mm next year. If you get to dive out of Hawaii Kai you will have a good chance at seeing some whales. You will definitely hear them. Catherine was on the ascent line and got the pleasure of have them circle her for 20-30 minutes (I think it was on the Corsair).


Melissa

[dlndavid]

What a bummer man, look on the bright side, at least you'll be on company expenses.

[chepar]

You will have to be able to get on base at Hickam if you want to go to the Island Divers shop, I think. Anyone can sign up for their dives, though. Are they still operating out of the Waikiki location or is it just Hickam now?

Ocean Concepts at Pearl Harbor is not actually on base, so there's no problem there.

[kidspot]

Hey RichinNC, so sorry your'e being put through such a trial as this... but you can always escape Oahu for Maui on the weekends, or in a pinch the Big Island will do

Drop me a line if you make it over to Maui and we'll set up some diving together.

As to exposure protection, you'll see everything from swim trunks and t-shirt (or no t-shirt) to dry suits but most visitors are in 3 mil suits, either full or shorty. Most DM's I've seen over here are in 7mil suits. Seems like every year you dive over here you add another 2 mil on... I would recommend a full suit (even a skin) just for protection from critters like man o' war etc..

Have a great time, Tim