Fish are biting-- literally
 

Just back from paradise (Kailua-Kona, Big Island [Haiwaii]). Had a wonderful time, but I do want to offer a few tips.
Snorkeling-- I had a blast on a 1/2 day Body Glove snorkeling trip. Would do it again in a heartbeat. But I actually saw lots more fish (and greater variety) snorkeling off a beach about 20 minutes south of Kona. The county has an arrangement with a non-profit that rents everything you could possibly need to snorkel for $13.50 for the entire day. The only requirement is that you watch a five minute film on respecting the reef. I was told that reaching the Cook Monument area for snorkeling can be difficult so we went here instead with the promise of easy access from the beach. It was RELATIVELY easy to get out to the reef. The problem is that a number of people, including me, were bitten by trigger fish. (Ironic that the state fish is eating the tourists.) It's a pretty bad bite and I was bitten twice over the course of three hours. When I ask the non-profit folks about the fish bites, they said it is becoming more common. This aggressive behavior is attributed to tourists who are chumming the water to attract more fish and to protection of a nesting area. This was the only beach where I saw lifeguards and they were completely indifferent when I asked if I should be worried about my bleeding bite wound. While we were there a Russian woman was bitten on the finger and a three or four others came out of the water saying they had been being bitten. Tip number two is to buy and wear a rash guard if you want to spend a lot of time in the water. It gets cold after a while. I don't know if the rash guard would ward off fish (both of my bites were on my legs), but I'm not certain I could have stayed in the water had I not brought one.
Lodging: We rented a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo. I gave it an A++ for location and a B+ for physical plant. And we got an INCREDIBLE deal. My travelling companion thought it was a "ghetto." Her chief complaint was that there was AC (wall unit) only downstairs; the bedrooms, which were upstairs, didn't have AC. So if AC is important to you and you are not staying in a big resort hotel, ask if the place has central AC. Also, if you have any difficulty in handling your own baggage, stay in a hotel with bell hops. We were in a second floor, two-story unit. Lots of stairs. I did okay. My friend did not.
Mauna Kea Summit trip: An absolute must. But go with a group. Your car will never make it up to the top. Highly recommend Mauna Kea Summit Adventures. Great food, too!

Good advice - and I hadn't heard that about the Trigger fish - who are very aggressive with other fish - so it doesn't surprise me if they are throwing bread crumbs, etc - to draw them and then they want more, etc.

Such a shame people spoil the peaceful environment.

We were diving in the Bahamas - and our dive master had a plastic bag full of bread crumbs/torn up bread - and just put his hand in and pulled out some - and he was instantly a fish ball - covered totally by some small yellowtail.

They would just nibble - not bite hard - but it's easy to see the habits the fish can form when somebody keeps feeding them.

<<But I actually saw lots more fish (and greater variety) snorkeling off a beach about 20 minutes south of Kona.>>

What beach was that, cnelmor?

I didn't bring my notes with me to work today. Will get back with you.