OLD KONA AIRPORT STATE PARK

MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
SITE II

19° 38.49N by 15° 600.46W


OLD KONA AIRPORT STATE PARK SITE II is a marine life conservation district. All plant and animal life is protected by law. Just look, do not disturb flora or fauna.

DIRECTIONS:

OLD AIRPORT SCUBA & SNORKELING SITE II: From KCD turn right on hwy 11 and go to Palani Rd and make a right. Take a right at the stop light onto Kuakini Rd. Stay on Kuakini to its end. Make a left, go about 100 yards, and you will be on the ocean edge of the runway. Look for the State on Hawaii Marine Life Conservation District sign, located on the left and about 15 yards off the Old Airport Runway, ocean side. Park near the sign off the runway and look for the trail to the ocean. Follow the trail to a lovely cove that has easy, safe entry and exit areas. (You can tell if you are at the right cove; you will notice a pipe on the shore line near water exit area.)

HISTORY:

Just after the end of World War II (1945), the Territory of Hawaii constructed the Kona Airport. By 1960 the Kona Airport had become obsolete for the type of aircraft and volume of traffic. In 1970 the Kona Airport was finally closed. The State of Hawaii converted the 120 acre site of the Old Airport into "OLD KONA AIRPORT STATE RECREATION AREA" and in 1995 the park became a MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

OLD AIRPORT SITE II

A short walk, about 75 yards, from the parking area along a gravel, coral rubble and pahoehoe trail. Watch your footing, particularly if you are carrying equipment. Once you are at the entry site, the entry into the water is just one big step into seven feet of water. The coral gardens near shore are excellent for snorkeling or scuba. There is an interesting drop–off to one hundred feet about three hundred yards from the entry on a compass course of 240 degrees. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DIVE WHEN SURF IS ENTERING THE COVE. A few beach heliotrope trees offer some protection from the sun, but most of the shoreline is open and unshaded.


1. TYPE of ACTIVITY: Scuba, Snorkeling and Sunbathing.

2. POTENTIAL HAZARDS:

  • A. SURF: Hawaii is world famous for big winter surf. These waves are generated by storms hundreds of miles away. The surf usually continues for two or three days. Between these periods of big surf, waters are calm with visibility of about hundred feet plus.

  • B. REEF and SHORE LINE: Heavy surf breakers on the lava shoreline east and west of the cove when there is a surf from the south, southwest and west. These conditions cause problems when exiting, especially for an unexpected emergency exit.

  • C. WINDS: South and west winds will sometime cause afternoon surf, making the area unsafe. It is wise to dive during the morning hours to avoid unpredictable afternoon surf.

  • D. CURRENTS: Usually there are no near shore currents but strong westerly winds have been known to generate an eastward current. TO BE SAFE, DO NOT DIVE WHEN STRONG WINDS ARE BLOWING.

  • E. ROADS: All roads are paved.

  • F. SEASONAL WEATHER: Since Kona is just 20 degrees north of the equator, it offers year round mild tropical weather with summer high of 85° and a winter low of 65°. Ocean temperatures range from 76° to 82° for latest weather and surf conditions call or stop by KCD.

    3. SKILL LEVELS: Intermediate through advanced.

    4. SCUBA and SNORKELING: Scuba reminder: Keep your dives within the recreational dive tables especially if you explore the drop off. Remember, the deeper you go the less time you will have to enjoy your dive.

    5. WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SITE: When exiting the cove you will notice, on the left, a lava tube through the reef with a skylight. DO NOT ENTER WHEN THE SURGE IS STRONG. Outside the cove in all directions, one finds usual coral formations that are home to the beautiful Hawaiian reef fish. There are nearly 650 species of tropical fish here in the Hawaiian Islands and at least 30 percent of the those species are endemic to the Islands.

    6. WATER DEPTHS: Inside, the cove is ten feet. Outside, the coral gardens range from twenty to forty feet. The drop–off levels off in white sand at about one hundred feet.

    7. TYPE of TRANSPORTATION to the SITE: Any automobile will get there. No public transport is available other than taxicabs.

    8. SITE FACILITIES: No showers, restrooms, water, telephone or picnic tables are available at the dive site. All amenities can be found at the nearby base ball park. (Check it out first before making your first dive.)

    Hawaiian Dictionary:
    Palani: A surgeonfish, also the Hawaiian name for Frank.
    Kuakini: Innumerable, the name of the person who was in charge of building Moku–àikaua church in Kailua, Kona.
    Pahoehoe: A type of lava, characterized by smooth, billowy or rope like surface.

    EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

    Police, Ambulance & Fire ..........................................911

    Coast Guard: search/rescue (toll free) ............................1–800–522–6458; 1–800–331–6176
    Hyperbaric Center: (bends treatment) Honolulu ................1–808–587–3425
    DAN- Divers Alert Network (emergency........................1–919–684–8111


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