Lahaina and Pali Coast Dive Sites

Lahaina and Pali Coast Dive Sites
Mala Wharf Mala's dive site is the collapsed remains of an old peer at the north end of Lahaina. The easiest way to find Mala is to drive behind the Lahaina Cannery mall then turn south on front street. Cross the bridge, and turn right just after the "Jesus coming soon" sign. Don't park in the boat trailer stalls. I've seen divers entering the water here from at least 4 points. But of them there are really only 2 that keep you out of boat traffic and one of those is over shallow reef so damage to the reef and you gear are inevitable. I put 2 entries on the map below. Entry 1 is from a black sand beach on the right side of the ramp and minimizes boat traffic interference. Use a dive flag on this dive. It's the law. Entry 2 is from the rocky breakwater and eliminates boat traffic interference. Entry 2 is best for those experienced in rocky surf entries and are wearing dive boots full wet suits and gloves. Watch for wana (spinney urchins) on the rocks. Another caution if you wear full foot fins from Entry 1.
			The Pavement gets really hot close to noon on clear days so it is best to dive this site with boots or put a pair of slippers at your exit on in your BC pocket.

		The Peer wreckage is not cleaned for wreak diving and discretion should be used when passing under or even near wreckage as there are sharp metal edges and rebar everywhere.
	The wreckage supports lots of coral growth, provides hiding places for nocturnal predators and shelter for coral mounds growing between the leeward side of the wreckage and the ramp's breakwater. White tip reef sharks are commonly found hiding under sections of the old peer. Frog fish are at home here but hard to find (even for dive guides) due to the very busy field of view.
	The dive is shallow (20 to 30 feet max) giving lots of air and no deco time so wear thermal protection, take your time and stay a while. Look west over the sand at 25 -30 feet for Horned Helmet shells. Leave them where you find them. Don't move those in contact with one another.
Olowalu (Mile Marker 14) There is a single sand channel entry to an expansive shallow reef south of Lahaina and the Olowalu general store. The easiest way to find this dive site is to watch for the mile markers. Coming from Lahaina, travel south on Hono Piilani Hwy through the community of Olowalu. The Olowalu general store and Chez Paul's will be one your left. Shortly after you'll pass mile marker 15. Travel another mile to the 14th mile marker. The marker is currently missing but there is a Bike route sign there on the left but facing oncoming traffic. So coming from Kihei count up mile markers after you come through the Pali Tunnel and look for the Bike route sign one mile past mile marker 13. It is important that you enter exactly here. There are other channels but none deep enough to accommodate divers and their equipment. Other entries may damage you but will certainly damage the reef. On the shallow reef there is lots of evidence of coral abuse. You may notice snorkelers standing on reef. Check your rage and gently let them know they are damaging the reef. Park as close to the Rubbish bin as you can and walk straight to the water from there. There are no facilities at this beach but there are port a potties at Ukumehame beach just under 2 mile east, toward Kihei.


	You'll notice the light shade of the sand channel which distinguishes it from the surrounding shallow reef. Wear your shoes or boots on this beach. They will offer some protection from the Kiawe thorns often hidden in the sand. On the dive you'll see large bird wrasse, surge wrasse and both red and blur parrot fish before you leave the sand channel. The channel is also the best place to spot peacock flounder. swimming south you'll come to what looks like a dead end. There is a shallow
	crack just behind the giant finger coral ball. Swim south through it to find a large sand pit about 15 -17 feet deep. Look under ledges here for spinney, white spot and stars stripes puffer fish. A more obvious southward crack leads to the second larger sand pit. Stay to the left until you come to a small rubble pile then turn south across the sand pit and on a bit more to the first cleaning station.
Lots of coral growth, provides hiding places for octopus crabs and eels, which makes them hard to find. The turtles on the other hand aren't. There are 2 turtle cleaning stations. After the first stay south to about 27 feet depth there will be 3 sand channels to your left cross all 3 going east and further on for about a total of 75 kick cycles and you'll find another cleaning station at a drop off to about 45 - 50 feet and a large heart shaped sand pit.
More Sites Coming soon Papawai Point (AKA Scenic Look Out),