Not Wildcard, but I have lots of dives in the area as it's just 5 minutes from home.
Ke'ei is a premier dive spot once you get to know it. You've got a couple of good spots to put in.
When you first see the water, there is a pull out large enough for 5-6 vehicles. You can get in off the lava fingers. You probably should only bother with this dive if it is pretty darned flat unless you are good at timing and climbing... some people are, some aren't. If you are poor on navigation, pass on this spot. The reef goes out for a long ways with lots of channels going various directions. Problem being you might find yourself a long ways from a decent exit if you miss your spot. I just did a straight out compass heading and vaired it on future dives 'til I got to know it.
A better, easier spot for most people is down the dirt road a couple hundred yards. There will be a pullout area with 2-3 picnic tables. There's an old canoe launch just to the south of the rock wall here and there's a cut in the lava by a tidepool straight out from the north picnic table that is pretty easy to get in and out of if it's not too rough. This area was protected from hurricane Iniki back in the early 90's and is probably some of the most extensive finger coral fields you'll find in Hawaii. There's also some small caves and archways to be found. You'll basically be in someone's front yard, so if you gotta pee, go in the water, not on their trees. Also haul out any garbage you bring in. The locals haven't been giving divers any grief yet and it would be nice to keep it that way.
Kealakekua Bay from the pier is a waste of time in comparison to Keei. Other than getting out it is an easy, shallow dive, but there are better dives in the area. If you want to do a shallow lobe coral dive go around to Manini Beach, easier entry (as long as there's no NW swell) and comparable structure/reef and fish life.
The Place of Refuge is far better than Manini, and a very nice dive. I'd put it as the best overall spot to hit if you aren't here for quite some time. The night dives here are very good. There's a light pole near the boat ramp with a 20 minute timer button so there's light when you gear up. It'll be VERY dark when you surface, so it helps to have surface support with lights if you don't know the spot well. I've seen bullseye lobsters, long handed lobsters, crocodile snake eels and other goodies here at night that you rarely see elsewhere.
I haven'tdone the dive at the monument in years. It used to be pretty mediocre below 15' of depth. I took the boat down there with Monty (who posts on this board) and he and my crew (Mike) really enjoyed it. I'm thinking if it's anything like the north face of Honaunau, it's probably grown back well in the last 5 years or so. --Iniki did a number on lots of SW facing shores, there are spots at Honaunau which were basically landslides in '99 and '00 which now have 6-10 inches of new finger coral growth. The monument may be a better dive now than it was 5 years ago. I'll probably trade out Captain's duties next time I'm down there so I can check it out.
Have fun,
Steve
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a:
Hey Wildcard, what do you think of Ke'ei for a dive spot? How about Kealakekua from the pier? And at Two Step, do you tend to go to the left or right?
Another thought we had was to do a night dive at Two Step. It seems like it would be a reasonable night shore dive. Ever done it? Any thoughts?
We're also thinking of hauling gear over to the Cook monument on kayaks. I've snorkeled over there a bunch, but never done a tank dive. Any thoughts?
Getting stoked!
