YELLOW TANG: "lau´ÿpala" (Zebrasoma flavescens) The species name means "yellow," the Hawaiian name, "yellowed-ti-leaf"
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The ti-leaf (kÿ-leaf) is a woody plant (cordyline terminalis) in the lily family, narrow-oblong leaves, the Hawaiians had many uses for the kÿ (house thatch, food wrappers, hula skirts and sandals).
The Yellow Tang is unique to Hawaii; but the range can be "as far away as Japan and Guam." The juveniles are very thin, delicate and almost transparent, having greatly elevated dorsal and anal fins.
The adult bodies are high, compressed and covered with small scales. Large specimens may reach a length of eight inches. They live near shore line to depths beyond 100 feet. They are more common on the leeward sides of the islands.
The Yellow Tang is one of the most beautiful of all the fish in Hawaii.
(Shot taken by Jim Robinson with a Nikon N90 with 105 macro in a Antis Nexus Housing using Fuji 100 Provia film and Nikon SB-104 strobe. Camera settings F16/F8 at 125/TTL).
LONG LAVA TUBE (South of Kailua Pier at 9.7 miles, 30 min.)
Thousands of years ago, there was a great eruption on Mauna Loa, sending an enormous downward lava flow. This flow, with time, and with aid from mother nature, created the geological location what referred to by Hawaiians as Keawakaheke Bay.
We know it today as Red Hill, an area of many dive sites. One of these sites is called "Long Lava Tube."
Lava Tubes extend into the ocean. Such conduits form when the outer surfaces of a lava flow cool, creating a channel for hotter, more liquid rock flowing within. These channels (tubes) lay beneath the surface of Red Hill and are a diver's delight.
This dive site lays at its west entrance in about 45 feet of water. The tube is about 87 feet long and it exits in about 25 feet of water. Moderate surge may be present during some parts of the year. The most forward part of this tube, just beyond the exit has been closed off, caused by thousands of years of wave action that collapsed the vent.
The area that surrounds the Long Lava Tube has some of the finest Stone Coral (polillopora meandrine)and Cauliflower coral. As you swim by these beautiful coral formations take a closer look.
The marine life that inhabits the coral will enchant you. Here is some of the marine life I found and photographed. The red and white-spotted trapezia crab, brittlestar, the territorial ark-eye hawkfish and many other species of juveniles that use the coral as a place of refuge. This photo of a leaf scorpionfish waiting for a meal to come by is typical of what divers may see here.
The Long Lava Tube is alive with marine life, from countless Red Bigeyes, Squirrelfish, Iridescent Cardinalfish and yellow Goatfish schooling near the entrance, to cowries, urchins, starfish and wide variety of crustaceans, and other invertebrates.
Half way through the tube there is a shaft of light coming from an open vent in the ceiling. For you shutter bugs, like myself, I find this place perfect to take photos of divers swimming through the light. Also, the area is excellent for macro and video shot.
Return of Fish and Dive Location table
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The adult bodies are high, compressed and covered with small scales. Large specimens may reach a length of eight inches. They live near shore line to depths beyond 100 feet. They are more common on the leeward sides of the islands.
Lava Tubes extend into the ocean. Such conduits form when the outer surfaces of a lava flow cool, creating a channel for hotter, more liquid rock flowing within. These channels (tubes) lay beneath the surface of Red Hill and are a diver's delight.