NativeofPlanetEarth
May 2022
The old axiom, āIf something looks messed up, it probably is,ā seems to apply here. To find the Check-In point, search for the piles of dive-gear laying in the dirt at the Ala Moana Park near the waterās edge. That is how you will locate the three seemingly-disorganized youngsters running this operation, which appears very unprofessional.
There is no shop, no sign, and none of the youngsters will greet you upon your arrival until it occurs to them that maybe youāre a paying customer since for the last several minutes youāve been standing 3 feet from the shambles they call a business and discussing it aloud with your partner. They arenāt rude; theyāre just typical youngstersā¦seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. I prefer someone who is alert if I am going to allow him/her to lead me through a risky activity.
Absent the shop or any other standard indicators of professionalism, I asked myself: āSanitized regulators, masks, and snorkels? Tank purging, proper filling, and proper storage to prevent internal corrosion and Carbon Monoxide build-up? Advanced Diver certification, Rescue certification, and a Divemaster or Dive Leader certification? Business license?ā
There are no indications on-site or on the website to reassure the customer that any of these provisions are in place. The only two things that support the conclusion that this is, in fact, an actual business are a website and participants being required to sign a waiver stating that no matter what goes wrong, including events due to the gross negligence of the tour guides, the dive company and the instructors are not responsible.
Apparently, these tour operators are unfamiliar with a Hawaii State Supreme Court decision, which states: āā¦prohibits owners or operators from disclaiming liability for injuries arising out of negligence; such owners or operators āshall be liable for damages resulting from negligent acts or omissions of the person which cause injury.ā
The unprofessional appearance of this dive tour is enough to convince anyone who knows anything about diving and its risks to walk away without a refund rather than risk injury or sickness from participating. Nothing personal against these three youngsters, but this dive experience provider appears dangerous. If they are, in fact, in full compliance with all diving instructor and tour operator requirements, one would never know it.
My recommendation: AVOID!!!