Posts by makoa

  • ghetto float

    Try it out. Not sure the size of cooler you're using. If you're diving from a boat and want the board strictly for a float for shooting big fish with a floatline attached I wouldn't do any mods to it other than attaching hardware for the floatline, tuna clip etc. If you're looking for a shore diving gear float then the limitations to what you can do should be determined by practical considerations like how hard will dragging this thing loaded down with gear affect your swimming? Remember, our goal is to relax and not make what we do energy intensive. I've never worried about keeping my fish in a cooler while on a shore based or kayak based dive. I usually have the fish on my stringer in the water and clipped to my float or in the bow hold of my kayak. I think a cooler is not a necessity. I've only hunted from a boat when in Florida and we always just threw our fish in the boat's coolers. Too many bull sharks on the spots I've hunted to keep fish on a stringer. But not a problem in Hawaii. Bahamas, Caribbean, pesky reef sharks chasing my stringers so I don't use em there either.


    On the float I made for boat diving and pelagic hunting I only rigged the board for the floatline and put a rope handle on the stern and on the aft port and starboard sides to help in grabbing my float to begin bringing in my fish. The other great thing about a boogie board float is that if you've got a hard fighting fish the board allows you to lie on it with your chest while you clip off and bring up your fish. Make sense?


    Keep it simple or build an all inclusive diving support vehicle. It's your board Bruddah. After each trip you can add or subtract. The quality and size of boogie board is also a consideration for how effective your build will be.



    Makoa

  • ghetto float

    I've made and used several boogie board floats but not sandwhiched together. These were good quality Mike Stewart boards that we had and were several years old. So weren't being used for surfing. I imagine the two layer board would ride too high in the water and would be a pain to haul around with wind and swells. A single boogie board should be good enough. The important thing I found is that the tow line set up needs to pull from underneath the board so that the board rides flat on the water and doesn't pearl when towed. The great thing about converting a boogie board for us in Hawaii is you can use to assist in riding a swell or wave as you swim in from a long outer reef dive. You can attach rescue handles on the sides, netting for gear, whatever you want. It's a great way to custom make a float/gear platform for long shore dives.

  • MAKO Spearguns - Poor quality made in China

    Labor costs. BMW engines...German engineered, Chinese built! I ride my BMW Sertao off road the way I race my dirt bike, harder than it was designed it to be ridden off road, and never a problem! But BMW regulates and monitors closely the Chinese manufacturing of their products. As soon as foreign companies that have their products manufactured in China or India or Mexico, etc stop closely monitoring the process and end product then the Chinese (and the others) will depart from the established quality of materials and procedures. There is great stuff coming out of China that allows a product to be affordable to more people. At the same time there is a ton of garbage too that comes from China.


    Like Marco, I have purchased products from Mako and have had both good and bad experiences. I'm not a fan of their gun designs, but that's me and my bias to what I prefer in a handle, barrel, etc. But I know guys that slay fish with those guns and love em. I bought a couple gear bags from Mako years ago and they fell apart halfway to Fiji. I've since purchased the improved bags and they are great. Los Ninos fins are my 9 year olds first freediving long blades. Awesome. Flasher tape, blue bulk rubber, a spare low volume mask for my youngest son, Rash guard with 1 mil neoprene a favorite for warm water diving, and a Riffe inspired knife that cost me three times as much from Riffe even when I was a Riffe dealer! I'm always dropping knives or loosing them on ragged reefs when getting pounded from a giant swell, so why spend tons of money on knives when I know I'll be buying another in a few months? Same shafts from South Africa as Wong, RA, etc. but cheaper in price. But I'm a buyer on the consumer end of a free market and I will look for value in price and quality. Some times you get what you pay for, some times you end up with a greater value than you pay for. I've also had good experience with customer service from Dano.


    I recently wrote a positive post regarding Speardiver, and meant every word. I've purchased a reel, a 3 mil wetsuit (my absolute favorite open cell...Even over my Riffe), a carbon barrel, and did so first because Dan had them at a more affordable price than other sites, and the service was great. That's also been my experience with Mako. For those of you that like to shoot "black riffles" know that almost all AR-15 lowers and uppers, internal mechs all come from the same one or two factories regardless of the name stamp, with the exception being the custom builders that can mill and machine their own parts. So to fault a company for searching for products to put their name on (assuming patent laws, etc are not violated) doesn't make sense to me. Call me a Walmart shopper. What is too expensive for me to buy, I build or buy used. Sometimes I regret the cheaper products. But most of the time I. usually make out with great gear at a lower cost to me (my Speardiver gear and many Mako products) than others that have the money to burn on the high priced products from stores looking to maximize profits through over pricing. As the patriarch of a family full of sons that are all watermen, I appreciate the shops that provide an alternative to the big name high pricing...as long as the products I buy are of value; price + quality= win. If I get burned on a product I have the freedom to shop somewhere else.


    Dan, you have great stuff. I will continue to support your store by purchasing what is of value to me, And also because of your great service. Likewise I will also continue to purchase the items I have found value in (price+quality) from Mako.


    Spearfishin World has been a great forum. Reflective of great policies and moderating. Thanks Dan for an alternative venue for enjoying the spearing and freediving community.


    Aloha!
    Makoa

  • Wahoos! You're not the only one George....

    Hey Marco, ALOHA! Sounds like you already found a recipe for Hawaiian Poke. I posted some pics and a recipe under the Hawaiian Forum labeled Hawaiian Poke earlier in the year in case you're ineterested. There are so many different kinds of poke made with various ingredients from a very simple traditional Hawaiian style of raw fish (ahi, nenue, etc) mixed with Hawaiian Salt (course salt harvested from the ground, course sea salt can be used too) and limu (a Hawaiian seaweed), and more exotic pan-pacific style poke using sesame oil, shoyu (soy sauce), red chili peppers, Maui onion.... The point of poke is to take succulent raw fish and make it even more succulent by adding these ingredients. Unlike ceviche or Tahitian poison Crüe (Tahitian ceviche made with lime juice and coconut milk/cream) the meat stays raw and uncooked by the ingredients. Lime juice in ceviche "cooks" the fish and changes its consistency. Poke keeps the fish raw and is even better enjoyed with fresh Waipio Poi! CHEEHO!


    Looks like a bigeye. I've shot lots of small yellowfin we call Shibi, and they all had the same appearance as yours only not so large eyes. :crazy:

  • Daryl Wong in the news


    Dan, I agree and I am impressed that you are able to maintain a neutral position. That's an admirable quality of character, to not jump unkowingly onto the bandwagon. Glad there is a voice of reason and calm. Stay the course as I'm sure there will be need for a moderator of sorts to this story. I'm afraid that outside the small circle of family of the "sons of Moloka'i" few on here if any can vouch for their character. There are hundreds here that can vouch for Daryl's. So while I would love to have everyone agree with me, I absolutely appreciate and respect the opinions and "call to reason" that your position calls for.


    That said...and again with the utmost respect:


    I know Daryl has sold fish. I have sold fish. My dive buddies have sold fish...all as after thoughts to cover gas, or gear, etc. I think what makes this acceptable is the fact these sales weren't the reason we went hunting. It was the benefit of having a good and blessed day of successful hunting. My preference is to give to family and friends, my island Ohana, the excess of fish that I have on my kui at the end of a good day. I know Daryl has also given away fish and not just sold when he's had extras. He has also given away guns, gear, time and resources to a host of people. The issue is not if he sold fish but is he responsible for unethical, unrestrained harvesting of fish in Moloka'i waters justifying criminal and unethical means of confrontation? The great thing about Hawaii Nei (that's all the islands of the kingdom!) is that local farmer's markets selling goods, products, and FISH by locals who make and gather those commodities is a way of life. Its a way of life, an island way of life.So selling your fish is not unethical, criminal, Kapu (taboo), or even frowned upon but welcomed. From Maku'u Homestead (Kanaka Maoli...) to Hilo's Farmer's Market, it's a service locals flock to for homegrown products and resources that are fresh, locally independent from Supermarkets, etc. But to assume that Daryl is responsible for harvesting the quantities that would rival the big indiscriminate commercial operations (the ones scooping up fish by the tons!) to the extent that he alone is a threat to Moloka'i waters is absurd and not well thought out, considering his success at two occupations. Again, there are other issues here that involve the "sons of Moloka'i" and that issue is not Daryl.


    Out of MY respect for my kupuna and Hawaiian family, and for those of our brothers on Moloka'i, I hope we are successful at protecting the resources of our islands. If that truly is THE issue, there is a way to bring the kama'aina together and establish sensible practices that can help us "self-govern" the way of life of those of Hawaii Nei. Ho'oponopono...to make right...a tradition before Ohana begins a meal all conflict should be set right, apologies made and accepted and aloha prevail before sharing poi. If this conflict truly was about unethical fishing in Moloka'i waters, then there is a better way to resolve. A more Akamai way.


    Sorry for the discourse, but I believe Daryl, and the "Mother's of the sons of Moloka'i, deserve more than just the cry of outrage. I define character as "the thoughts, words and actions you exhibit when no one else is there to see you." It's what you do and think about in your most private times. That's what we teach our children. (Those that know me know I have 8 kids. So I teach it ALOT!:thumbsup2:) The outward indicators of your character is manifest by your actions and the way you treat others. Dan, that's why so many can stand behind Daryl. While no one can know, except Daryl himself, his true character, we have all been spectators and receivers of his kindness, skill, and experience. I know a Big Island diver that Daryl has been a mentor to more as a father as well as a hunter. These are all outward manifestations of a good and moral character. He goes beyond selling you stuff. He's given my boys and me shafts, knowing we were headed off on a spearing trip and money was tight. He's paid for many meals, Joe and I have taken out his boat and never asked for gas money, and he's treated my sons as one of the crew. It truly is hard to find someone as big and successful as Daryl, treat you as though you were bigger and more successful than he. That's Character. What kind of acts by the "sons of Moloka'i demonstrate the kind of character they have? Anyone know? Oh yeah, wait. They forced their way onto a boat, stole a gun, tossed a military guy overboard, threatened his wife, and intimidated an elder.


    I hope all get their day in court...literally. I also hope that some of what I'm getting through the "coconut wireless" gets the same publicity as the sensationalist issue that has become "all about Daryl".


    I'm all for ethical hunting. Im all for protecting local waters for Kama'aina and those that treat Hawaii and her waters with respect. I'm also all for inviting unethical fishermen, divers, spearos, who disrespect locals' way of life, to leave and go find another reef to rape! And I'm all for inviting Daryl to spear my local spots. I have so much to learn from watching him hunt.


    HAWAIIAN!!


    Aloha,
    Makoa

  • Daryl Wong in the news

    I WOULD like to get involved. I KNOW Daryl, Joe, and the kind of people Daryl surrounds himself with. I also know he is successful as a Dentist, a custom gun builder, and has no need to profit from selling fish at market, so I am suspect of those complaints. I also am related to pure Hawaiians, Kanaka Maoli, Keiki o Ka'aina, Children of the land. I understand the principle of "Aloha Aina, Aloha Kai" (love for the land and love for the sea.) I understand both sides of the argument and am familiar with the kind of personalities involved. I am usually accused by my family as being too pro-Hawaiian, Kanaka...Hawaiian Sovereignty...etc, but this is just plain wrong and stupid for these "sons of Moloka'i" to show unlawful and worse yet, disrespect for one Kumu, or teacher/master/ ambassador of Hawaiian Spearfishing. If there is a concern or dislike for off-islanders fishing your spots there is a more effective way to deal with the issue. Daryl's not Captain Cook coming to conquer Moloka'i, he's a fellow diver and fisherman...ethical fisherman. Knowing Daryl, I'm sure that if overfishing off Moloka'i is a real concern then he would more likely accept the offer to be involved in a community discussion of that issue. I know a few local boy thugs myself and this is the exact kind of behavior that makes them thugs. If they want to be true to their Moloka'i heritage, they should have honored their Kupuna by displaying the strong and royal character that is Hawaiian and showed respect...especially after they found out who's boat they had invaded (and it sounds like that if the letter written above is correct, they knew all along who' s boat they were boarding). But instead they steal one of Daryl's guns, push an Airforce Airman overboard and threaten his wife. THATS NOT THE PROUD HAWAIIAN HERRITAGE THAT I KNOW.


    "UA MAU KE'EA O KA'AINA I KAPONO O HAWAII" "The breath/life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness of Hawaii". Hawaiian State Motto


    Aloha!
    Makoa

  • Daryl Wong in the news

    Yeah, unreal off Moloka'i. Ulua in shallow reef! There have been problems with the exotic fish industry with guys on scuba collecting choke fish and depleting exotic species...these guys have been chased from the waters here on BI and other islands...usually kooks from the mainland looking to make money! But local spear fishermen usually get respect no mattah where you dive. We all have our secret or family hunting grounds, but when other divers show up its all in the attitude of ethics and respect for a spot and its fishermen before any conflict arises. And then it's usually the commercial guys that get quoted in the news...you know the ones that are hauling in fish by the tons! A divers kui is not usually what's responsible for depleting the fish. It's usually higher volume fishing operations. I've hunted reefs in Fiji, Samoa, Carribean, that have been fished out by constant harvesting and no conservation methods for replenishing fish populations. But that's usually reefs of a village where the sustenance fisherman and divers don't venture very far away from their spots. I've found even in these areas that there are still fish, they're just very smart and make themselves hard to find. But as I've ventured beyond local reef spots further away from the overfished village areas, the fish populations get thicker. In Samoa, the villages now have preserve areas within their reef that are off limits to any fishing. Akamai! Smart. The funniest thing I've seen was in the Bahamas. One local Bahamian swimming with a rubbish can scooping up lobsters during the closed season! But I digress.


    Daryl guys are not the problem. And from talking with my cuz, it sounds like the localism was more to keep guys away from "other agricultural and harvesting" ventures! :nono:

  • Daryl Wong in the news

    Spoke with my Cuzin Diver Joe today and these local boy Moloka'i thugs are being prosecuted to the full extent of the law. There's a lot of concern over issues trying to keep people away...even kama'aina from other islands like uncle Daryl, because of activities associated with pakalolo and such. Daryl has Ohana on Moloka'i and never should have been treated like one outsider. Daryl doesn't overfish, and is always a gracious host to anyone who comes to Hawaii. He's a total gentleman and ethical hunter. This was nevah one issue about fishing "a spot"...it was about localism/tribalism like what has plagued surfing and allegedly about "other" activities.


    BTW, anyone boards my boat like that, or even my kayak or float, they would get a first hand close up experience from my Glock!


    Respect the kupuna and the 'aina... I'll back Daryl, no questions asked! But that's just me and my boys.

  • Props to FreediveStore

    Not sure what forum to post this, but I felt inclined to give my "props" to Dan and the FreediveStore for the excellent service. I've ordered from them in the past (a 3 mil wetsuit that has become my absolute all around favorite wetsuit!) and had recently ordered a carbon tube and two sets of plugs for a couple gun builds for two of my boys. I received the barrel but only one set of plugs...an easy mistake as one barrel requires only two plugs and I had ordered four. I have another barrel that I need plugs for. I emailed FreediveStore to notify them that my order arrived incomplete. I sent the email at 4:20 pm on the weekend after all the Thanksgiving celebrations, and received an email at 4:53 pm advising me that my original order had already shipped, then another email at 4:54 pm advising me that my missing set of plugs had shipped along with a couple complimentary decals (always a plus as I have decals from builders and shops around the world on my workbench, speargun racks, and garage wall!) with an apology for the oversight. No questions asked, no delay until Monday to respond to my email, and the unrequested addition of decals are the kind of "little" things that build loyalty to a business. Thanks Dan. While price is always a major factor in where I shop for gear and accessories (father of five hardcore watermen from 26-10 years of age equals enough gear to fill my own Spearfishing and dive shop) your great customer service goes a long way to convincing me to shop for gear with FreediveStore first.


    Big MAHALOS from a mostly quiet but dedicated Big Island waterman!


    Makoa

  • DIY Aimrite Roller

    Anyone convert an Aimrite railgun into a roller? I have a 140 Super Venom I want to cut down to a 100-110 roller gun for an all around reef to blue water travel gun. I've looked at Marou and MVD muzzles. I like Tinman's R&D with the roller, but am looking for a muzzle that is already available. Ideas?


    Mahalo,
    Makoa

  • Hawaiian Poke

    Yeah, mo bettah...I relish a rough sea! Always get rough conditions at da point with the trades blowing...only local and dedicated watermen out shooting fish.


    You'll enjoy the nenue poke style. Old school poke...:thumbsup2:


    Aloha

  • Hawaiian Poke

    Yeah, Hawaiian nenue depending on the age and size are between white and gray flesh.


    Nice pronunciation clarification!