Hawaii Scuba Diving with Kona Honu Divers

Hawaii Scuba Diving Instructors

Scuba Diving Instructor/Captain: Glenn Anderson

Work experience acquired at Elmer’s Watersports, Evanston, Illinois and Scuba Systems, Skokie, Illinois. Has logged 1000+ dives in Hawaiian waters and worked with other dive operators in Kailua-Kona. With his wife Maggie, they established Kona Honu Divers, because of their love for the UNDERSEA PARADISE that is Hawaii.

Frog Fish Photo by Glenn Anderson

Glenn began diving in 1960 at the local open pit coal quarries around Coal City, Illinois while in high school. He has a B.S. in Education from Eastern Illinois University and a MS. in Education from Northern Illinois University. He has recently retired from teaching Industrial Vocational Education programs for the past 34 years at Niles Township High Schools in Skokie, Illinois. He has now made his new home in Kailua-Kona where he and his wife enjoy raising their kamali’i (children).

Hobbies include: SCUBA, swimming, downhill ski racing, rehabbing real-estate

Maggie Anderson
Co-owner, operations manager, registered nurse & certified Scuba Diver who shares her love of the ocean with her husband and business partner. She will most likely be the one who will help you with your travel plans and dive reservations. You can find her on land and in the dive shop, running the "behind the scenes" paperwork. She is always eager to help answer questions and arrange anything from dives to private custom charters for individual, family or corporations.

Scuba Diving Instructor/Operations Manager: John Haut
After 15 years of developing software in Silicon Valley, CA., John followed his passion for SCUBA diving and obtained his Open Water Instructor and Master Scuba Diver Trainer ratings. Along with his wife, Laurie, he moved to the "Big Island" of Hawaii and joined "Kona Honu Divers" as a dive instructor in 2002. His "office" is now the dive boat, "Honu One", and the dive sites along the west coast of Hawaii where he enjoys diving with Mantas and watching out for chance encounters with whale sharks.

"Hi Maggie, Sorry we did not get a chance to meet you but just wanted to express our gratitude and excitement to Glenn for some of the best diving we've ever done. Captain John and Instructor John were terrific to dive with and very knowledgeable. The Manta dive was unbelievable!!! Thanks so much" The Reno-Tahoe Boys Doug, Tom, & Mike

Captain John Caldonato
"Johnny C" has been driving boats on the Kona coast for over 10 years. He knows almost everyone on and off the water. If you have a question, he's your man. John has a knack for whale shark encounters with over a dozen so far. "Johnny C" is also a divemaster and still enjoys diving when he is not at the helm. John grew up in Philly and Alaska before landing in Kona.

"Just wanted to send an email to thank you and your staff for a wonderful evening manta raysnorkeling experience. Captain John and all the staff on our boat the evening of July 10, 2007 were friendly, caring and extremely professional. They answered all our questions, took good care of us in and out of the water, and made the evening a memorable experience for our family of five adults. Your customer service is exceptional...from the office staff to the crew. Thank you!! Marilyn Saltzman Conifer, Colorado

Captain/Instructor Frank DeYoung
Dive Guide "Extra-Ordinare", Frank has been diving Kona since 1996, he has worked with other dive operators but has joined the Kona Honu Divers team full time as of 5/2003. He loves to share his vast knowledge of marine life with our customers and has been quoted and written up in the March 2004 SPORT DIVER Magazine (pg. 80) the official Padi Publication, featured story by Ken McAlpine. Frank knows his endemic Hawaiian fish and provides to our divers, "one of the best briefings on the island" . He is also a professional massage therapist and in spare time loves to surf and do jewelry making. Recently, Frank and his wife Joy were blessed with a baby boy. Bruein is keeping his parents busy and already knows port from starboard ;-)

Scuba Diving Instructor/Retail Manager: Richie Sanchez
Richie was born and raised in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. He comes to us with a 12 year background in Emergency Medicine working on an ambulance. He taught CPR and First Aid throughout many communities during his career. After discovering a passion for scuba diving Richie began working and teaching part time in a scuba shop in Colorado, Richie followed his dreams and received his Open Water Instructor, EFR Instructor, and Nitrox Instructor in February 2004. In search of a new place to live, he had dreams of living on a beach where he would be warm all the time. He traveled to many locations before deciding that the Hawaiian Islands was where his heart was leading him. Now that he is living his dream here with Kona Honu Divers, you can still catch Richie getting off our boat, the Honu One, with a jacket and a wool hat on. He states it is a different type of being cold, he calls it a "happy chill". His hobbies include riding motorcycles, swimming in the ocean, and exploring his new life here in Hawaii.

Scuba Diving Instructor: Bo Pardau
Bo Pardau was certified in 1990 and became a NAUI instructor in 1996 and an SDI/TDI instructor in 2001. He has spent his diving hours in the ‘cooler’ waters of Monterey and Mendocino training basic, advanced and NITROX divers. His love of the underwater, which includes still and video photography, is shared by his wife, Jamie, and has compelled them to travel the world looking for the finest combination of ocean and land beauty. The Kona coast has given them that perfect mix and is now their new home. Bo enjoys creatures great and small but is particularly fascinated by flatworms, and nudibranchs. So if you see him poking under rocks, take a glance, it may be something grand. When he is not on the boat he continues his career of home design and hobby of kayak diving.

Scuba Diving Instructor/Videographer: Scott Blain
Scott recently took 1st place at the Kona Classic '07 with his video "Sacred Hawai'i ". Scott's current work "Manta Dance", a film featuring Kona's renowned Manta Ray Night Dive has been enjoyed by many divers who have visited the Big Island. In 2006 Scott set out in search of spectacular footage of the underwater world around the globe. He has filmed in places such as the Galapagos, Mexico, The Red Sea, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palau, Chuuk, Australia's GBR, New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii. He is currently working on editing for his project "Vivid Seas" featuring these locations. After completing the Kona Classic 2007, Scott embarked on his next journey of world-class diving, capturing footage for a film on Lembeh Straits, Indonesia, with friend Mark Thorpe of 4k Ocean Stock Productions based in Palau. You will also see his work in an up coming motion picture "Winged Creatures" featuring footage of Manta Ray's at night. He offers his services globally. Please contact him at www.AquaLuminous.com.

Captain: Tom Clark
Tom has been driving boats on the Kona Coast for many years. He is eager to "talk story" with guests and knows the dive sites up and down the coast like the back of his hand. If you have a question about Hawaii, and especially the "Big Island", then Tom is your man. He knows everyone and is glad to add new friends to that list.

Scuba Diving Instructor: Cynthia Hankins
Cynthia's passion for diving was ignited in 1997 during a NAUI Open Water course in the cold water of Monterey Bay, California. Not long after she was traveling to various dive destinations in the Pacific and the Caribbean and teaching scuba at her certifying shop in Auburn, California. She has been teaching and guiding for three years in Kona, Hawaii and specializes in digital underwater photography. Check out her site to see some of the amazing encounters she's had. www.cynthiahankins.com

"Just arrived back in dreary, wet Michigan after spending 10 days on Oahu and the Big island visiting my daughter and son-in-law. I must thank Jason & JR and all the people at Kona Honu who made my diving experience a lifetime memory. I just got certified in Michigan in July so this was my first 'warm' water adventure. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Wasn't sure I liked diving, but now I'm hooked!!! The crew made it so easy and Jason listened to my concerns and made me feel safe and comfortable. My daughter and son-in-law are Marines, are VERY adventurous, and have traveled to many places in the world. It's difficult to have a new experience with them. Having the opportunity to dive with them and experience the beauty of the day time dive and the awesome elegance of the manta dive is something I am very thankful that we could share together and will stay with me forever. Thank you doesn't seem to say enough but, THANK YOU." Sandy Anger, Michigan

Scuba Diving Instructor: Wyatt Lewis photo by Tony Suber
I moved from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the big island of Hawaii to join the Kona Honu Diving family in May of 06'. I've been diving for about 4 years and received my instructor certification at Pro Dive, located in Ft. Lauderdale. I still have a passion for skiing, golfing and competitive sports. Hopefully while on the Big Island I can experience skiing on Mauna Kea. I attended high school at Holderness School, in Plymouth, New Hampshire. My interest in the ocean helped me decide to become a dive instructor as well as choosing to study marine biology. So far the biggest thrill diving would have to be the Manta Ray Night Dive and oh yeah the 12' tiger shark. I enjoy teaching the introductory or Discover SCUBA diving course here in Kona. The conditions are so welcoming for people who haven't been in the ocean before. The energy coming from people diving for the very first time reminds me of the thrill I experienced when I discovered diving.

"We had a great time today on your morning boat. Wyatt was a great guide and showed us a lot of sea life we wouldn't have found on our own. John was also very friendly and helpful with his site breifings. The whole crew made our day exceptional. Here are a few photos from today's dive. We're looking forward to our new adventures tomorrow and Wednesday. Thanks" Barbie & Kevin Lass May '07

Retail Specialist: Dani joined the group back a few months, and has brought lively entertainment to the shop. Earning her Divemaster Certification in Key Largo, Florida, she was looking for more and found Kona met all her adventurous needs. Aside from diving, she loves biking, kayaking, reading travel stories, talking story with friends, old and new, and long walks on the beach. No kids yet, but an itch for travel. Dani has visited many corners of the our earth including the Middle East, Central America, Europe, and the South Pacific. Photography and Music are her focus, and she'll be a new boat captain pretty soon! You'll most likely speak on the phone with Dani, helping you make reservations or answer any questions you may have. Come by for a visit, and we'll see you soon!

IDC Staff Instructor: Janine Maira photo by Tony Suber
Janine was raised in South Africa. She spent her childhood living with a pack of wild apes who were avid SCUBA divers and it wasn't long before Janine developed her own passion for the sport. Giving up the tree house for a dive boat wasn't an easy transition for Janine but she has taken to her new surroundings with much chest pounding and jaw thrusting ;-) As, one of our newer crew members, Janine has shown that she is very likely to become the alpha female. If you have the pleasure of diving with her please be aware that she uses all four appendages when moving through the water :^) We are very lucky to have Janine as part of our Kona Honu Ohana and her passion and expertise will be obvious to those of you who are fortunate enough to dive with her.

Scuba Instructor Rashael Jones: A PADI Instructor since 2005, Rashael has worked all over the globe. As a dive professional she has worked in the Republic of Maldives, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, and now Hawaii. She is still a "good ole girl from Oklahoma" at heart but her love for diving has led her far from the "Sooner State". Her father introduced Rashael to diving when he bought a place in San Pedro, Belize. She was certified when she was 15 and has been diving for over a decade. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Rashel has so much salt water in her veins that, "not diving everyday seems weird to me. I never thought, when I graduated from college, that I would be a SCUBA Instructor. But here I am, and I love it." You will very likely have the pleasure of diving with Rashael during one of our Manta Ray Night Dives as she has developed a special bond with our winged friends.

Scuba Instructor: John Hodson - PADI MSDT, EFR Instructor, DAN O2 Instructor John grew up and learned to dive in Massachusetts. He was introduced to scuba diving by his father at the age of 9. He was formally trained and certified at 14. A corporate relocation took John to Atlanta in 1990 where he continued to pursue scuba diving as a hobby. He became a scuba instructor in 1993 and began teaching classes part time while he pursued a career in business and software consulting. John and his wife Wanda started visiting the Hawaiian Islands in 2000. They fell in love with the Kona Coast and decided to make it their permanent home in 2007. John and Wanda are underwater photography enthusiasts and are thrilled with the rich aquatic environment in Hawaii. Some of their images are posted at www.aapi.smugmug.com. When they are not diving they enjoy snow skiing, tennis, learning about their new home in Hawaii and making new friends.

IT Specialist : Wanda Rowan - Along with her husband John Hodson (also with KHD), Wanda realized her dream of living on the Big Island in May of 2007. Certified as a PADI OW diver in 1996, she & John enjoy world-wide dive travel for adding to their UW photography & videography collection. Please check out their website! www.aapi.smugmug.com. She enjoys working in the dive industry far more than she did her previous career as a software consultant! Currently, you'll see Wanda in our dive shop taking reservations and working in sales or application software. Sometime she's out on our Manta trips as a 'Snorkel Master' but she's working on her divemaster cert so she can share Kona's ocean beauty with our visiting divers. The one thing she would love to share that she can't is just one dive with her father who was an avid diver during his commission as a Navy Seal and an all-around great guy. When not behind a computer or at the dive shop, Wanda likes to play tennis, work with horses, and volunteer.

"Thank you for showing me a great time and my husband thanks you for taking good care of me too. Maggie, thanks for your caring and sharing personality. It was you that convinced me I had the right boat to book my dives with. And Glenn, many thanks to you and your crew. The close attention to detail, abundant helpfulness and friendly atmosphere made my diving experience the best I ever enjoyed. Though a little hesitant to return for the Manta Ray night dive, I am so glad I did! I will never forget the awesomeness of it all. I'm glad Jim, the videographer, filmed the dive. Now I can share it with those who were not as lucky as I. I will be back with gear in hand ready for more of your hospitality. Thanks to all of you, and of course my husband too, I had the best vacation ever." Bari, Long Beach, CA

Scuba Instructor: Jeremy Walsh - Jeremy comes to us from Chicago, the windy city. He grew up in the water with competitive swimming and water polo and many summers tormenting lifeguards at the public pools only to become one himself on the beaches of Lake Michigan. His introduction to scuba involved having to vacuum the bottom of his high school pool when he was 16. Never shaking the itch to dive he got certified in the Mediterranean Sea while visiting Majorca, Spain in 1999. After many dives in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and Central America he decided, "a diver's life for me". Pursuing his dream, he quit his corporate job and traveled to Florida where he received his instructor certifications. Soon after, he found his way to back Hawaii where he is now fulfilling another dream of diving with mantas and sharing his knowledge and love of diving.

Environmental Pledge

Kona Honu Divers expresses a concern to promote global reef and aquatic life ecology. The Hawaiian waters are home to many endemic species of aquatic life and through Kona Honu Divers' efforts, we aspire to educate people about their existence and to protect the environment.

Therefore, we pledge to conduct all charters and tours in a professional manner to ensure ecological goals and values.