Robert Schuknecht:
Hi, I'm looking to start spearfishing in the Oahu area anyone from around here or that knows about the area could give me some info on good dive sites would be appreciated.Thanks
The spearos I know generally go out along the Waianae coast and the North Shore. The Waianae spots tend to be around Makaha and beyond. The North Shore areas tend to be either off of Mokuleia or around Haleiwa -- the 2004 Nationals were held at Police Beach which is just northward of the Waimea Bay side of Haleiwa (past champ Gene Higa died at this particular event; shallow-water blackout is suspected; terribly sad).
Some resources you may try are:
1) magazines including Hawaii Skin Diver (quarterly publication) and Hawaii Fishing News (monthly), both readily available at most stands; also, cable channel 16 (OC16) runs a half-hour spearfishing show for Hawaii Skin Diver
2) spearo shops, especially Maui Sporting Goods located on Kapahulu Ave. not far from Genki Sushi; it's a small shop next to a corner tuxedo rental shop and with the door painted as a dive flag. Also check-in with the fishing supply store Hana'Paa; the main store is on Dillingham Blvd (the spearo shop is upstairs) and an outlet store is located in the back mezzanine level of the Hawaiian Island Creations surf shop on the street-level of Ala Moana Shopping Center (I suggest going there first because the main shop is actually not that easy to find). Just go in and explain your situation; they're helpful and only get put off by people who come in trying to make "big-body" or have an attitude.
Pickin's on nearshore Oahu are slim. There's hardly any nearshore big game to speak of and what is there usually has a problem with ciguatera poisoning, especially the kahala (amberjack) and the papio/ulua/omilu (various trevally). The only large fish usually taken are uhu (large parrotfish) but they're not plentiful as is true for practically anything here and I very strongly discourage shooting anything unless it's going to be your next meal or be given to someone you know will definitely eat it. Related to that, if you do shoot, make sure it's a clean shot; if you can't "stone" it, don't shoot.
There state laws for seasons, types, sizes, quotas, and off-limits areas. You can get info at the shops I mentioned. You must also tow a dive flag.