Fun thing to do in Waikiki

In a way, it seems a bit odd to have a nature experience while cutting real nature mostly out of the loop, but it still seems like a fun thing to do. The Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki has a three story deep, indoor aquarium. The aquarium provides a backdrop for diners in the hotel's Oceanarium restaurant. For years, the hotel would have scuba divers enter the aquarium and feed the fish to entertain the restaurant patrons.

Now for $75, a person can swim with the fishes. A mask, and regulator that is connected by a hose to tanks floating at the surface are provided. The guests are accompanied by a hotel staffer in full SCUBA gear. The aquarium has a great collection of reef fish and they are quite tame. They are used to being fed by the divers. There are no sharks in the tank.....;>)

 

Hi Darryl

I just don't remember if the article that I read made any mention of an age limit. I am sure that a phone call to the hotel desk would answer the question. When I read about the new program, it really struck me as a great thing to do. It would provide a unique experience that was convenient and safe. Sure, it is not a real dive on a real ocean reef, but it would afford an opportunity to see many fish and it would allow friends and family to watch from the restaurant and take pictures.

It has been a long time since I did any diving here (who is responsible for making the days and years so short now?) but I have had some people tell me that the fish populations on many of the accessible reefs around Oahu are way down. I did have some mainland visitors a while ago and while the kids were playing, I took a walk along the shoreline and was shocked at how sterile the tidal pools were.

On another fishy note, a friend from the mainland and I went out to Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower and there was a large number of good size Moorish Idol at the pier where the side walk is nearest to the power station. They are beautiful fish. The concentration of them seems un-natural. I suspect that the shopping center is feeding them. Anyway, it is great to see them and I want to try to get some photographs, if I could figure out how to deal with the reflections.

 

Hi Darryl

Your post is very encouraging. It is good to hear that you are seeing good fish populations on your dives.

The Ka Iwi coast is exactly the area that I was talking about. It was a couple of years ago. My guests were flying kites at the field at Sandy Beach. I walked up the coast toward the Makapuu Light and saw tide pools that were devoid of any life at all. It would be welcome news if conditions have improved.