SHORE DIVING MILOLI`I BAY

MILOLI`I BAY
19°11.08N by 155°54.42W

DIRECTIONS
Turn right (south) on Hwy. 19 (becomes Hwy 11). You will drive up to 2000 ft. elevation and through old villages such as Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Captain Cook. Along the way there are many interesting and historical sites. When you've passed mile post 90, take the next right near mile post 89 (about 33.4 mile from KCD). There will be a well marked intersection indicating Miloli`i turn off. A tortuous, twisting 5.0 mile single­lane road winds down the steep, exposed ridge of Mauna Loa. By keeping to your left, you will arrive at the small fishing village of Miloli`i. The dive site is located just right of Miloli`i's only grocery store.

SPECIAL CAUTION: watch out for head-on traffic and children playing in the roadway. PLEASE do not make any attempts to pass any other vehicles. (you would not like to end up in the stew pot.)

Miloli`i is a very traditional and family oriented village. There are no public utilities (electric or running water). Their electrical needs come from sun and wind, their water is either brought in by truck or from catchment (rain). The only things they would ask from you is to respect their properties, privacy, and their way of life. Do not act crazy; drive carefully, smile and remember ­ not everyone is on vacation.

HISTORIC FOOTNOTES

In April of 1946, a lava flow from Mauna Loa completely overran the neighboring fishing village of Ho`opuloa (less than a mile from Miloli`i), destroying all of the homes and forcing all residents to relocate. Some of the families settled in Miloli`i. It took 56 years for the State of Hawaii to resolve their land issue, before the refugees and their descendants of Ho`opuloa village could regain any parcel of land . The state finally subdivided lands just north of Miloli`i. Today the new, isolated shoreline fishing community of Ho`opuloa is referee to as Miloli`i.

Their way of life still maintains a firm hold on traditions. Many of the older residents still speak Hawaiian among themselves. But the Western civilization is beginning to display changes, as in new construction of homes, canoes made with imported lumber and powered by outboard motors and/or replaced by fiberglass boats, but the old traditional fishing methods are still practiced by a few.
If you are interested in knowing more about Miloli`i/Ho`opuloa's past history and old photographs, stop by the Kona Historical Society Museum located between mile marker 112 & 111 on the makai side of the Hwy. in Kealakekua.

MILOLI'I DIVE SITE:

There is ample parking at the parking lot at the grocery store (first get the property owner's permission). The wharf area offers parking for a few autos. The shoreline waters at the dive site are protected by an outcropping of pahoehoe reefs. The clear blue water and easy entry and exit, makes the drive worth it.

1. TYPE OF ACTIVITY: Scuba and Snorkeling

2. POTENTIAL HAZARDS:

  • A. Surf: Bad weather and storms hundreds of miles away could cause surf, making this site unusable.

  • B. Reef and Shoreline: There are a lot of lava outcroppings west of the wharf. Submerged reefs west and south. Broken Pahoehoe lava rock with very sharp edges that could cause harm to you upon exiting the dive site when the surf is not acceptable for diving conditions.

  • C. Winds: Strong winds from the south and west could make diving condition unusable.

  • D. Currents: Beyond the 60 foot depth and with either strong winds and high surf your chances are good that there will be a strong current moving in either direction south to north or north to south. "BE AWARE"

  • E. Roads: Roads are paved to the dive site.

  • F. Seasonal Weather: Summer and Fall are the best months for this dive site. If in question, call the Big Island Weather and listen to the surf report for the WEST side of this island.

                        A LITTLE WORD TO THE WISE - One does not dive this area without the use of a dive flag in tow. There is lots of boat traffic in Miloli`i Bay at all hours of the day. Stop & Listen for the high pitched scream of the boat motors before surfacing.

                        3. SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to advanced.

                        4.FOR SCUBA AND SNORKELING: There are two ENTRY points. The WHARF or the BEACH on the makai side of the road nearest the store. There is an additional snorkeling ENTRY near the County Beach Park at the SOUTH end of the road.

                        5. WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SITE: Nice crevasses and ridges along the drop off. Small pukas and archways along the ledge protecting the inner reef, beautiful tropical fish, crustaceas and invertebrates.

                        THE PEOPLE OF MILOLI`I WOULD LIKE THEIR SHORELINE TO BE A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION AREA. PLEASE HELP THEM. (NO SPEAR FISHING OR COLLECTING OF ANY MARINE LIFE). Respect their wishes and just blow bubbles, take pictures and leave only foot prints.

                        6. WATER DEPTHS: Inside the dive area to the drop off (15 to 60 feet).
                        Snorkelers will enjoy the shoreline waters 5 to 15 feet; there is a lot to see.

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

                        8. SITE FACILITIES: Shaded picnic tables and portable toilets are available at the County Beach Park about 3/4 of a block south from the dive site. There is NO running water. Bring your own water. You can purchase soda, gas and snacks at the store. Check with one of the local residents as to the store business hours.

                        Hawaiian Dictionary
                        Palani: A surgeonfish, also the Hawaiian name for Frank
                        Kua-kini: Innumerable, the name of the person who was in charge of building Moku-`ai-kaua church in Kai-lua, Kona. (1823)
                        Ka-i-na-liu: Bail the bilge, the name of a canoe for Keawe-nu1-a-Umi.
                        Ke-ala-ke-;kua: Path [of] the god.
                        Mil-oli`i: Fine Twist, direct reference to fiber cordage once produced at the Village from coconut trees and bark fibers of the olona shrub.
                        Mauna Loa: Long mountain, name for a Hawai`i island volcano.
                        Ho`opuloa: Put in together (for a) long (time).
                        Makai: Ocean side.
                        Pahoehoe: is characterized by smooth, billowy or rope surface lava.
                        Pukas: Holes.

                        EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

                        Police, Ambulance & Fire: ..... 911
                        Coast Guard: search/rescue (toll free): ...... 1+800.552.6458; 1+800.331.6176
                        Hyperbaric Center (bends treatment) Honolulu: .. 1+808.587.3425
                        DAN (emergency): ............1+919.684.8111

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