Franko Maps, Oahu Reef Creatures Fish ID-Card

Franko's Oahu Reef Creatures Guide
Side 1 shows a mini-map of Oahu with a few of its best diving and snorkeling spots located, most notably Hanauma Bay. The map is a scaled-down version of Franko's Map of Oahu, showing the island's lovely shape and green mountains, and the beautiful surrounding Pacific Ocean. A humpback whale, spinner dolphin, and Hawaiian monk seal are depicted on the map. Oahu's main towns, Pearl Harbor and its highways and freeways can be seen. Below the beautiful mini-map is a fabulous photo of Oahu's most popular snorkeling destination, Hanauma Bay. There is nowhere else on earth that is snorkeled by so many. Just beyond the reef line, this can easily be seen in the photo, the snorkeling just gets better and better. There might be 2000 visitors at any time in the shallows, but out where it is 12' to 18' (3.66m to 5.5m) deep there will usually be no one else out there with you. Visibility might reach 80' (24.4m) or more. Franko just had to put it on the fish card to represent the truly fabulous underwater Oahu.

Side 2 shows the wonderful reef life of Oahu. Oahu has such great snorkeling and scuba diving that it must have its own quality fish card. This is it! This picture of Oahu's fish is the result of personal inspiration, as Franko has snorkeled and scuba dived all around Oahu, and especially at Hanauma Bay. The fish card measure (H x L) 5.5" x 8.5" (14cm x 21.6cm), is printed on laminated plastic 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 my own artwork on Franko's Map of Oahu. 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 loves them all, but maybe his favorite is the Humuhumu Nukunuku Apua'a, Hawaii's State Fish. Card makes a great gift idea.