Franko’s Maui Reef Creatures Guide

Side 1 shows a mini-map of Maui with it’s best diving and snorkeling spots. Snorkeling is Maui’s top attraction. The map is a scaled-down version of Franko’s Map of Maui, showing the island greenery and the beautiful surrounding Pacific Ocean. In the map’s ocean you’ll see a humpback whale, spinner dolphin and a Hawaiian monk seal. Maui’s main towns of Lahaina, Kihei and others and it’s highways can be seen. Below the beautiful mini-map is a fabulous photo of Maui’s Molokini Island, with a beautiful view of this crater island and the uprising Haleakala in the background. This is one small example of Maui’s incredible scenery. Molokini is visited by hundreds dozens of snorkels and scuba divers every day who come on tour boats. This helicopter view shows off Molokini’s ultra clear water as well. Snorkelers are often treated to 200+ feet of visibility. I just had to put it on the fish card to represent Maui’s fabulous underwater exploration opportunities.

Side 2 shows the wonderful reef life of Maui. Maui has fabulous snorkeling and scuba diving and this comprehensive, authoritative fish card will aid the visitor in knowing what he or she is looking at. This picture of Maui’s fish is the result of personal inspiration, as Franko has snorkeled all up and down Maui leeward side. The fish card, which measure 6" x 9", is printed on plastic and then laminated so that it is stiff, shiny and waterproof. It has a hole for a lanyard, so you can actually take it diving or snorkeling. A thick rubber band is an effective lanyard for me. The reef creatures depicted on these cards are taken from my own artwork on Franko’s Map of Maui. A few reef creatures have been added since the first edition. The fish shown include over 80 species, including a dozen or so that are found nowhere else on earth. The Hawaiian fish shown are selected from about 435 species that exist in Hawaii, and are based on Franko’s personal exploration. The colors and the means of showing them are based on personal observation. The naming of the fish in Hawaiian as well as English is helped by the experts at the Maui Ocean Center, The Pacific Whale Foundation, Hanauma Bay rangers, The Waikiki Aquarium, and local knowledge. You’ll see all of your favorites, including the ever interesting Humuhumu Nukunuku Apua’a, Hawaii’s State Fish. I love these reef creatures!