Spiny Sea Urchin Sting Remedy

Sea urchin puncture wounds and stings can be painful and depending on location very painful. If there are signs that you or someone you’re with has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), dial 911 to request an ambulance.

Immerse the affected area in hot water (as hot as can be tolerated) for 30-90 minutes or as long as you possibly can beyond that. Again, be careful not to burn your skin.

Spiny Sea Urchin In Maui

Any large spines should be carefully removed from the wound using tweezers. The small venomous organs (pedicellariae) can be removed by applying shaving cream to the affected area and using a razor blade to gently scrape them out. Scrub the wound using soap and water and then rinse it with fresh water. Do not close the wound with tape.

Aftercare:

Pain and swelling can be treated with painkillers, such as and ibuprofen. If the skin is red and badly inflamed, a topical antibiotic cream or ointment should be applied three times a day.

Typically the pain will subside in a few hours to few day’s depending on its severity. The spines will remain in the affected area for a few days to several weeks. We call it the Hawaiian Tatoo. Don’t worry they will disappear gradually.

February 4, 2014July 11, 2023

Sharks of Maui: Discovering the Top Ten Sharks You’ll Encounter While Diving

If you’re planning a trip to Maui anytime soon, you should know that it is home to more than 40 species of shark.

While this fact might scare thousands of people into seeking alternative holiday destinations, others might find it fascinating as they book boat trips to see the many sharks of Maui.

But what sharks are commonly found in Maui, and what sets them apart from the rest?

Let’s take a look at the top ten sharks that can be found near Maui Island.

Meet the Top Ten Sharks Found in the Waters of Mau

Let’s jump straight into our list of the top ten sharks you can see while shark diving in maui.

#1: Tiger Sharks

We’re starting off our list with the largest and most aggressive shark, the tiger shark – or Galeocerdo Cuvier.

Ranging between 14 to 16 feet, Tiger sharks are gray or tan in color and have distinct spots that later form stripes when the sharks reach their adult years. These are not, however, always visible.

Here are a few more facts about Tiger sharks:

Tiger sharks eat smaller animals and fish, dead or alive
They have earned themselves the nickname “Garbage Can of the Sea.”
These sharks are hunted by humans for their skin, liver oil, and meat

Tiger sharks have no known predators other than humans

#2: Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

The Scalloped Hammerhead shark, or Sphyrna Lewini, is commonly seen in the waters off Maui and can grow to an impressive length of seven to 14 feet long.

They are gray, have flat heads, and a noticeable indentation on the center and sides of their flat hammer-like heads, earning themselves the name “Scalloped Hammerheads.”

Here are a few more interesting facts about Scalloped Hammerhead sharks:

They have eyes and gills on each side of their heads
Scalloped Hammerhead sharks are critically endangered
These sharks are pregnant for around a year and have between 12 and 38 pups
They live offshore and eat reef fish, smaller sharks, and crustaceans
Humans are the number one predators of scalloped sharks and hunt them for their skin and meat

#3: Smooth Hammerhead Shark

Also known as Sphyrna Zygaena, the Smooth Hammerhead shark is the more common Hammerhead that we know and grows up to between eight and 13 feet in length.

They are typically gray, have flattened heads, and do not have the indentations that we see in Scalloped Hammerheads.

Here are a few other juicy bits of information about the Smooth Hammerhead shark:

Smooth hammerhead sharks carry their young for between 10 and 11 months and give birth to around 20 to 50 pups at a time
They are migratory and move to warmer waters when Winter hits
Hammerheads typically frolic between 110 ad 225 feet below the surface of the ocean
They eat fish, rays, other smaller sharks, and also crustaceans
These sharks, too, are prey for humans for their oil, skin, meat, and fins

#4: Galapagos Shark

The Galapagos shark, or Carcharhinus Galapagensis, is the second largest shark found in the waters around Maui and can grow up to 12 feet long.

These sharks are brown-gray on their dorsal side, while their bellies are white. Galapagos sharks have an easily identifiable ridge between the first and second dorsal fins, and the outer edges of their tails are dark gray.

Here are a few more facts about the Galapagos shark:

They have short, wide snouts
Galapagos sharks are viviparous, which means that they give birth to live young
The average gestation period of a Galapagos shark is around one year, with the mother birthing between 6 and 16 pups every three years
Galapagos sharks are found in clear, warm waters around the reefs and continental shelves surrounding Maui
These sharks are often hunted by humans for their skin, fins, and meat

#5: Blacktip Shark

The Blacktip shark, or Carcharhinus Limbatus, is a smaller shark and grows to about eight feet.

They are gray in color and have black edging on their pectoral and dorsal fins. Their snouts are pointed, and their bodies are shaped like that of torpedoes.

Here are a few more facts about Blacktip sharks:

Males and females form their own schools
They give birth to four or five pups at a time
They are most commonly found 40 to 210 feet below the surface
Blacktip sharks eat fish, octopus, and squid
They are also hunted by humans for their meat and fins

#6: Sandbar Shark

Sandbar sharks, or Carcharhinus Plumbeus, get their name from their tendency to swim near the sandy bottoms of the ocean.

They are gray or tan colored and have a high-set dorsal fin that sets them apart from other sharks.

Here are a few more facts about Sandbar sharks:

They can grow up to eight feet long
Sandbar sharks have short, round snouts
They give birth to between six to 13 pups
Female Sandbar sharks prefer shallower waters (around 225 feet below the surface)
These sharks are commonly found around continental shelves and in bays and harbors
They eat reef fish, mollusks, octopus, and crustaceans
Like many other sharks, humans are the biggest predators of Sandbar sharks

#7: Bignose Shark

Bignose sharks get their name from – yup, you guessed it – their round, often blunt snouts. They are gray and can be up to around nine feet long. Carcharhinus Altimus, or the Bignose shark, is a near-threatened species.

Here are a few more facts about these fascinating sharks with their easily identifiable nasal flaps:

They are found anywhere between 90 to 1200 feet beneath the ocean surface
Bignose sharks typically lurk near the edges of the continental shelf, while the younger sharks prefer shallow waters
They are prey for Great White sharks and eat deepwater fish, other smaller sharks, and rays
Bignose sharks have a gestational period of about ten months and give birth to as many as 11 pups

#8: Gray Reef Shark

The Gray Reef shark, or Carcharhinus Amblyrhynchos, is known to grow up to six feet long. They are gray and have a distinct white line or streak down their dorsal fin. Simming in large groups, Gray Reef sharks prefer to hunt for their prey alone.

Here are a few more facts about Gray Reef sharks:

They only breed when they are around eight years old, and birth between one to six pups
Gray Reef sharks can live up to 25 years
They are found in coral reefs, stronger currents, and rough terrains around 900 feet deep
These sharks are common worldwide
Gray Reef sharks eat fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans
They are prey to Hammerheads, Tiger Sharks, and also humans who hunt them for their meat

#9: Blacktip Reef Shark

Carcharhinus Melanopterus, more commonly known as the Blacktip Reef shark, is around six feet long and can be found near the coastline of Maui, hiding on the edges of the many coral reefs making up the continental shelf.

Here are a few more facts about these light-brown colored sharks:

Blacktip Reef sharks are found just 100 feet below the surface
These sharks have short, round snouts that hide thousands of angled, serrated teeth that are responsible for quite a nasty bite
Female Blacktip Reef sharks have between two and four pups at a time
They eat small fish and other invertebrates that are found on reefs
They have no predators but are hunted by humans for their meat and fins

#10: Whitetip Reef Shark

Last up on our list is the most common shark, the Whitetip Reef shark or Triaenodon Obesus. This shark is commonly seen on the coast of Maui and is often responsible for shark attacks. They can grow up to five to seven feet long and are gray with white-tipped dorsal and tail fins.

Here are a few more details about the Whitetip Reef shark:

These sharks have slender bodies and flattened heads and feature brow ridges that help distinguish them from other sharks
They have gestational periods of only five months, giving birth to between one and five pups
Whitetip Reef sharks eat fish, crustaceans, and octopus and swim 25 to 130 feet below the surface
They can live for more than 25 years
The biggest predator of a Whitetip Reef shark is the Tiger Shark
Sadly, humans hunt these sharks for their meat

Conclusion

Sharks are fascinating creatures, and if these facts about the top ten sharks in Maui are anything to go by, we are sure that many more people will be booking trips to Maui for their one-in-a-lifetime chance to see some of these majestic beasts in the flesh.

Use our list as a guide to help differentiate between the different types of sharks and also see how many you can spot when you visit Maui.

Happy shark spotting!

December 2, 2013May 24, 2023

Unlocking the Secrets of Hawaiʻi’s Tiger Sharks: Insights from the PacIOOS Shark Tracking Project

Hawaii is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, but it’s also home to one of the ocean’s most captivating (and fearsome) creatures – the tiger shark.

This apex predator is known for its large size, immense strength, and striking appearance, and it plays a vital role in the ocean’s ecosystem.

However, they also pose a risk to humans, so understanding their behavior and movements is important.

That’s where the PacIOOS Shark Tracking Project comes in. This project, led by Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology’s Shark Research Group, aims to track the movements of Hawaii’s tiger sharks using the latest generation of satellite tags.

These satellite tags are attached to the dorsal fin and emit a signal each time the shark’s fin breaks the water’s surface. This allows researchers to track and map their movements in real time.

The project has several goals. First, it aims to collect valuable data on shark behavior and their habitat selection, helping researchers better understand these fascinating creatures.

Second, it’s testing new technologies – a new satellite tag type and a new method of detecting tag transmissions – which could have broader applications in oceanography and weather forecasting.

But tracking the sharks is just the beginning. The tags also record critical oceanographic data, including the sea’s surface temperature, temperature at depth, and oxygen profiles.

This data is available in real time to the databases informing models that predict the ocean’s circulation patterns, helping us better understand the ocean’s complex dynamics.

The project has already yielded some fascinating insights. For example, the study found that tiger sharks preferred living in an insular shelf habitat, which is an area found between the shoreline and shelf break.

It slopes gently to a depth of about 600 feet. This shelf habitat type has various prey for these sharks, and Maui has more of this habitat than the other large Hawaiian Islands together. The shelf habitat around Maui can support resident tiger sharks and those from other areas around Hawaii.

Maui areas frequently visited by tiger sharks include waters near popular ocean tourism and recreation sites. But, despite the presence of larger tiger sharks near popular beaches, the risk of attacks remains very low, which suggests tiger sharks predominantly avoid interacting with people.

The findings from this research helps State of Hawaii officials raise public awareness of the presence of sharks in Hawaii’s coastal waters.

The PacIOOS Shark Tracking Project is an exciting example of how technology can help us better understand the ocean and its inhabitants.

By unlocking the secrets of Hawaii’s tiger sharks, we can gain valuable insights into the ocean’s complex ecosystem and improve our ability to predict and respond to environmental changes.

Common questions we Dive Shops & Instructors here on Maui get asked often

What is snuba diving?

Here are the nitty-gritty details about scuba diving versus Scuba Diving Maui. More GRITTY than you would think!!!!

Scuba Diving has been a recreational sport for many years now. It started off when former NAVY Divers started training scuba divers on the side, as a way to earn some extra money. The downside was they were getting trained the NAVY way. This was not at all a “bad” way.

But… Recreational divers did not need to learn the “combat” style of scuba diving. As the years went by, more and more divers were getting certified through these fledgling organizations.

As a result, Scuba Diving became more and more popular. Organizations that were involved in the training process, such as NAUI, SSI, SDI, TDI, YMCA (just to name a small few) joined the RSTC (Recreational Scuba Diving Council).

This is a self governing organization that sets the standards for Safe Diving Practices. All of the training and safety guidelines set by the RSTC MUST be followed in order for the Dive Organizations to participate.

This has turned scuba diving in to a much more safe and fun sport, designed for anyone that wanted to participate. Now the training is designed as a “FUN” way, not a “Combat” way to dive.

Scuba Diving Instructors must go through a long training process academically and physically.

A Scuba Instructor has the following certification levels as a prerequisite before starting the Instructor Development Course.

1. Open Water Diver

2. Advanced Open Water Diver

3. Rescue Diver

4. Divemaster

5. Assistant Instructor

6. Emergency First Responder Instructor

7. Then Open Water Scuba Instructor

Snuba Diving started in 1990

Scuba “Guides” are just that. They are “Guides”… Not Instructors!!! They have completed the rescue diver course but have not gone through all the dive theory and knowledge development that even a dive master has gone through.

Scuba divers; typically 4 divers per raft are secured by a 20 foot hose to a raft at the surface, that they share with other participants. The divers below have to pull the raft along as they swim.

This is fine as long as ALL other participants are pulling in the same direction (not always the case). Along with the wind ant the surface and other divers pulling the raft where they want to go this can be an arduous task. Not to mention the entanglement of hoses with other divers that we see underwater quite often.

From Wikipedia.

“Unfortunately for Scuba divers, in case of emergency, the Scuba diver is not provided with any emergency buoyancy system unlike a Scuba diver who has a buoyancy compensatory, meaning that the Scuba diver must swim to the surface or tread water until help arrives, which could prove fatal.”

It is sad but we have been witness to some absolutely reckless scuba guides here. There is a company that works out of most of the hotels here in Maui offering scuba. A former scuba guide of theirs told me.

Their guides (including him) are certified by an instructor that was just doing give me some money now you are rescue diver certified without properly training them, so they could have guides quickly due to the very fast turnover rate of guides.

Participants must answer NO to ALL questions on a medical questionnaire prior to diving. Otherwise a doctor needs to get involved. We have witnessed these scuba guides telling their divers to cross out the YES they put down and put a NO there.

Here is a couple examples. At the Sheraton Maui a diver said “I had a heart attack a couple years ago. The scuba guide said believe it or not, but this is the honest truth. “Just go slow and take it easy.” At the Marriott Kaanapali another diver said “I have asthma” scuba guide said. “Well we won’t be going fast you will be ok just stay close.”

Are you kidding me? This is people’s lives they are playing with. Having an asthmatic Member of my family. When an asthma attack is happen the last place they should’ve is offshore under water.

If their doctor gives the ok as only a doctor can. NOT a scuba guide. Then by all means go out and have fun.

The GRITTY on this is simple. They are paid a commission per diver. So if they do what is right and tell them they can’t go until a doctor clears them. Then the scuba guide loses money. Sad but true.

Article in progress please check back.

October 2, 2013May 30, 2024

Discover Scuba Diving in Maui: A Complete Guide

I have wrote an article on www.ezinearticles.com

If you want to take a look at it to get a little info about typical questions and answers on Maui and Scuba Diving Maui. Take a look here…

http://ezinearticles.com/?Scuba-Diving-Information-About-Maui-Hawaii&id=8017987

Many people come to the island of Maui to scuba dive. But when we take them out for dives many of the divers were expecting different types of things. So, to clarify what is to be expected. Here is a little info about diving in Maui.

Water temperature:

I remember when I first came to Maui and jumped into the water. It felt warm, compared to the water off Calif that I was used to going in. Maui water temperatures vary between 74 in the winter and 81 degrees Fahrenheit in summer it is much more temperate than the 52-54 degree water I was used to.

Divers used to the warmer waters of the Bahamas, or Caribbean, come out to Maui and think it is much cooler than they expected. So if you want warmer water plan your trip in mid to late summer, around August – October. Most divers are comfortable in a 3 mm shorty wet suit but if you tend to get cold, wear a 4-5 mm wet suit.

Sea Life:

Maui has unique dive topography due to the lava formations. Endangered Hawaiian Green Sea turtles find these formations great to rest in as they wedge themselves into the nooks that were formed as the lava formed. Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles can be seen on almost every dive. They are very used to seeing people. More times than not, they will approach snorkelers and divers very close. It is the law that you must not touch the turtles, or impede their progress to the surface.

Do to the Hawaiian islands location, many fish out here are endemic to Hawaii. About 30 percent of Hawaii’s fish are endemic (only found here).

Monk Seals:

Which are extremely endangered with a population estimate of around 1,300 individuals. They seen to return to the same locations on Maui time after time. We see them in many of the caves that we dive. They find these caves a nice place to rest for hours and sometimes day’s. They do allow people to get close but this is not advised and also illegal.

Spotted Eagle Ray’s:

Can be seen on occasion and mostly between Sept through Feb. It is suspected that they are coming in close to the shores during their mating season.

Manta Ray’s:

Can be seen as well. There is a particular (cleaning station) location that they have be seen by divers having the cleaner fish picking at there dead skin, algae and growths. The Mantas will parade back and fourth as if going through a car wash.

Whale Sharks:

Do come by on occasion but are mostly seen off the deep waters of Molokini crater. Molokini, rising from depths of 300 feet, is an extinct caldera located approximately 2.5 miles off the south portion of Maui.

Tiger Sharks:

Although having made the news lately for Shark attacks. They are VERY rarely seen by divers. I have over 10,000 dives under my belt in Maui and have never encountered one.

White Tip Reef Sharks:

Are very common in the waters of Maui. These Sharks are very docile and will allow divers to get close but not too close before they swim off. They will circle around and swim back to the spot they were resting at in the sand. White Tips are one of the few sharks that can remain motionless and still be able to pass water through their gills.

Here is a video of Mala Wharf. This dive site is where the White Tips are found very frequently.

Mala Wharf / Mala Pier https://youtu.be/QU8XZMddmYEaui.com/mala-wharf-video

In2Scuba Diving Maui Dive Co. Can take you to these locations and is a good resource to dive with.

I welcome your feedback anythying I can add to it.

Aloha

In2Scuba Diving Maui Dive Co.

September 30, 2013April 29, 2019

It is nearing November and the Humpback Whales are on their way to Maui. Normally we can start to see the first sightings in October. We will be keeping our eyes open for them and postings will be added as we find out more.

Aloha

Update: February 3rd 2014

Just about any beach you go to, you will be seeing the Humpback Whales of Maui playing, spouting, breaching. They put on a great display and usully are close enough for easing viewing. Yesterday driving from Lahaina to Wailea I must have seen 7 groups of Whales along my drive.

Update: January 17th 2014

Whale sightings are now a constant. The Whale watching boats are busy gathering in groups off the shore of Maui to view the Whales. We hear the Whales very loud now on every scuba dive and when snorkeling now. This will last through May when they leave for Alaska.

Update: December 15 2013

We are hearing the Whales now on just about every dive. I have seen a total of 3 breaching out of the water this last week. I was in South Maui on all three occasions

Update: December 2nd 2013

Monday the 25th of November I heard the first Whales of the year for us underwater. Yesterday I heard the second sounds of the Humpback om our dive down south in Makena.

Update: May 2nd 2014

It is that time of year again, and we have to say goodbye to the Humpback Whales, as they are leaving Maui. We have had the yearly pleasure once again, scuba diving with the sounds of the Humpbacks complimenting or dives. But they have been getting fewer and farther between. I did not hear anything on our last dive yesterday

I will be giving more updates when the Whales are returning to Maui later in the year

September 30, 2013May 30, 2024

Latest Water Temperature In Maui By Month

September 30th 2013 is 81 degrees Fahrenheit
November 18th 2013 the water temp is still pretty warm in Maui this time of year. I took a reading down in Wailea and temp gauge read 78 degrees at 45 feet.
December 2nd 2013 Water temp off Maui is 76 Degrees in Makena at 30 Feet.
February 15th 2014 Maui water temp checked in at 75 degrees in Kaanapali
March 2nd 2014 Maui water temp checked in at 75 degrees in Lahaina
April 7th 2014 Maui water temperature was 76 degrees in Kaanapali at Black Rock
May 5th 2014 Maui water temperature in Kaanapali was 77 degrees. So, it is definitely getting warmer now. In Wailea in a normally warmer area it was 80 degrees.
June 28th Scuba diving black rock today water temp was was 80 degrees. So, we are pretty much at max temp we get here in Maui during the summer.
July 29th Airport beach in Kaanapali we had 81 degrees feels much warmer in the shallows
August 20th 81 degrees and an 82 degree reading at Airport beach Kaanapali. Divers that do not want to wear a wetsuit are feeling warm even after two dives Whoop Whoop!!!!
Sept 30th 2014 Exceptionally warm water I am getting 82-84 readings in all locations
October 31st 2014 Starting to notice a very slight cooling. Water temp today was 80 degrees still can’t complain huh?
November 12th 2014 Water is definitely cooling down. In Kaanapali today it was 79 degrees and in Lahaina at Mala Wharf it was 80 degrees
December 3rd 2014 and now I am getting 76- 77 degree readings in Kaanapali
August 20th 2015 We are having a nice warm water temp of 82 degrees
September 20th 2015 The water here in Maui is still exceptionally warm and hanging around 83 degrees.
Scuba Diving in Maui this year has been a real treat, and no wet suits have been the norm for most divers.
October 20th 2015 Maui ocean temperature is still abnormally warm at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit