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Moving to Hawaii in January!! YAY

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BobJHS

New Member
Mar 6, 2007
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Hello all, I recently got accepted to Hawaii-Pacific University to study Marine Biology! I'm sooo excited about it! I can't even tell you! But anyways, I have a feeling my life as a freediver and spearfisherman is about to pick up. So, to the point, for Chirstmas I just got a new Cressi-Sub Technica 3.5 mm "farmer jon" two piece. It's really cool cause it's got this awesome camoflauge scheme , however, I'm a little worried it's going to be too warm for Oahu and for Hawaii in general. I know that cause it's a two piece it's really like having a 7mm in the body. I don't seem to have a problem with flexability with it, but I'm new to Hawaiian waters, never been there before and I'm coming from Massachusetts (I know that seems a little ridiculous, :duhbut I guess I'm the kind of person that will just move some place crazy like that w/o ever having been there once.) Anyways, I have no clue what to expect when it comes to water temps. and what is usual in terms of wetsuits for Hawaii. My father [also a freediver] who got me the wetsuit was originally going to order a 5mm, but he changed it to 3.5. When he told me he changed to the thinner 3.5 mm I thought he probably made the right decision because Hawaiian water temps typically range between mid-70's F and low-80's F. I'm just wondering whether or not the wetsuit is overkill. I'm both a freediver and scuba. I'm pretty confident a 3.5mm two-piece will be fine for scuba dives. I'll probably be plenty warm with it either way. I'd love to hear from somebody who has any experience at all with Hawaiian waters. Thanks for your time and I would appreciate any responses. Thank You! -- James H. Stewart
 
Howzit Bobjhs

A 3.5 mm suite is difinitely going to be a warm one but I wouldnt worry too much about it. The outer areas of oahu tend to be exposed to deeper colder water but the temp will usually be in the mid to low 70s. I live on Maui where the water is a bit warmer due to the lagoon effect we get from the surrounding islands(lanai, molokai, and Kahoolawe). Until recently I have always dove with a 1.5 two piece suit but just baught a closed cell 2mm. I actually got a little chilled here yesterday.

I think if the farmer john set up is too warm around the chest and stomach you can always cut the top of the bottoms off at around the naval height so you dont get too much of the 7mm. I know a lot of guys do that here anyway just incase they cet the call of the wild while on a long dive. That being said, dont go shooting any brown trout over here:blackeye

You might chime into the hawaiiskindiver.com forum. There are a bunch of guys from Oahu on there that Im sure would be happy to take you out on a dive and give you better suited advice about their waters. If you ever make it over to Maui send me a PM. Id be happy to show you the ropes.
 
I can't give you any advice about Hawaii but I'm very jealous! Sounds like a great gig - I opted out of studying Marine Biology nearly 20 years ago and I still wonder, "what if....?". Good luck on the move and keep us posted!
 
Aloha Bob,

Congratulations on your acceptance to HPU and decision to move to Hawai'i. That's way terrific news.

I live on O'ahu. On the open ocean, sea temperature here has an avg. of 26ºC at 8m. My friends and I spear/freedive with a 2 piece - 3mm suit. On sunny days with no wind, the 3mm Yamamoto 45 gets warm - so I'll wear a hood-less 2mm, short sleeve, one-piece (Rip-Curl Elasto-max).

If my work schedule does not change, I'll be on-island the first half of January 2009. When ready to go check out the water, you're welcome to contact me too.

~ Tobin
 
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Thanks for the replies, my flight leaves for O'ahu on Jan. 14th. Maybe when you get back from work, you can show me whats good around O'ahu. I'd also love to check out Maui. I'll drop you guys a PM when I get there. Look forward to meeting you!
 
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