Greeting Conch-Lers Doing a search on Conch-L the archives, I see that about once a year someone asks for advice on how and where to dive for shells in Hawaii - usually (like me) before taking a family vacation there. Since places and people change over time, I thought I would try a new post on this old topic. I will be in Oahu over the long weekend of Friday March 9th through Sunday March 11th, so I could fit in one day of diving there and possibly two. The From March 11 - 18th I will be in West Maui and in between family vacation things, will have time for a couple of dives. Does any reader have any suggestion on who I might contact who lives in Hawaii and is active in diving for shells? Also, based on others' past experience, is it possible to find a comercial dive operator who would be willing to let a recreational diver look for shells? I am especially interested in finding any of the endemic Hawaiian gastropods, starting with any of the Cypraea, but also any other species that are endemic to Hawaii, or have a range that is limited to the central Pacific. I am also game to try snorkelling or inter-tidal collecting, if there are still accessible and productive spots - but I suspect most of the unusual Hawaiian shells have to be found by diving (please correct this impression). I would be grateful for any and all suggestions. Feel free to post a reply or email me directly at: [log in to unmask] Michael Small Canberra Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------