Franko Maps, Big Island Reef Creatures, Fish ID Card

Franko's Hawaii Reef Creatures Guide
Side 1 shows a mini-map of Hawaii, The Big Island with a few of its best diving and snorkeling spots located. The map is a scaled-down version of Franko's Map of Hawaii, showing the island greenery and magnificent volcanoes and the beautiful surrounding Pacific Ocean. The ocean has humpback whales, spinner dolphins and Hawaiian monk seals, and thus they are depicted on the blue ocean. Hawaii's main towns, such as Kailua-Kona and Hilo, and its highways can be seen. On the mini-map are two fabulous photos, one showing the cutest green sea turtle, and the other showing Franko's wife Cindy, as she floats in crystal clear Hawaiian waters above a school of yellow millet seed butterfly fish. This is representative of Hawaii's unbelievable snorkeling opportunities. The Big Island is fantastic for all levels of snorkelers or scuba divers.

Side 2 shows the wonderful reef life of Hawaii, The Big Island. Hawaii has such great snorkeling and scuba diving that it must have its own quality fish card. This picture of Hawaii's fish is the result of personal exploration and inspiration, as Franko has snorkeled and scuba dived all around Hawaii. The fish card, which measure 5.5" x 8.5" (14cm x 21.6cm) 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.

The reef creatures depicted on these cards are taken from Franko's own artwork on his Map of Hawaii, The Big Island. A few creatures have been added or edited 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. Franko's favorite is the Humuhumu Nukunuku Apua'a, Hawaii's State Fish. What is your favorite? He also loves the giant manta rays that grace the reefs, mostly at night. One of Franko's favorite dives of all time was a night dive to watch the manta rays soaring gracefully through the waters feeding on plankton which were drawn to the night-diving lights.