Page 1463 - Dive the Seas and More-2

Catalina Island. This California island sides 1 and 2 of this Maui map proved that
map was followed by Franko's Map of
Channel Islands, and then others.
When I made the Catalina map I was
already dreaming of making a map of
Hawaii. It turned into individual dive
maps for Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii and Maui,
then fish cards for Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii,
Lanai, Molokai and Maui, plus a surfing
map for Oahu, and Guide Maps for Kauai,
Oahu, Hawaii and Maui. Along the way
I've produced several tens of thousands of
customized fish cards for major resorts,
such as the Ko Olina Marriott in Oahu and
the Westin Maui in Kaanapali, as well as
the Maui Ocean Center, who also had me
make a Hawaiian shark identification
card. A few of the sharks for that card
appear on the maps now.
Franko's Dive Map of Maui, side 1, was
and is a completely unique depiction of
one of the most beautiful, popular islands
on earth. The shaded relief that my
techniques created, first with my
California dive maps and trail maps, and
then with my Hawaiian Islands maps,
depicted the islands in a new, interesting
and extremely pleasing way. It was
technical art - where Franko, the ocean
engineer could join abilities with Franko,
the artist and ocean lover to become
Franko, the cartographer. It is difficult for
an engineer naturally interested in quality
control and perfection to do an artistic
project and actually be pleased with it.
However, taking my original printout of
my maps were really unique and the
interest was high. Help was easy to come
by as the proud Maui folks gave me their
support.
This map was done with a lot of
perspiration and a lot of inspiration. Even
though most people would not consider
my trips to the Hawaiian Islands as real
“work”, I really worked hard on this! But
Maui turned out to be so inspiring! When
I was at home on my computer looking at
Maui and then applying the colors and
captions on Franko's Dive Map of Maui, I
must admit that I was dreaming of Maui
the whole time, and that the colors and all
were truly from the inspiration that comes
from Maui herself. It is hard to say that I
really “worked” at all. The Valley Isle was
such a beauty and joy to ponder or
explore. The captions of the dive sites on
this map began with personal diving and
snorkeling, but eventually were aided by
many local Mauians.
I remember my first snorkeling venture
into Maui's crystal waters. It was at Ahihi
Cove on South Maui, just south of
Makena. My wife and I parked just off the
narrow road and waded into an
underwater masterpiece. I wound up
having a fabulous two hours in the water!
I saw 100 plus species of fish, lots of
invertebrates, corals, sponges, and
enjoyed the alluring song of the
humpback whales, which were playing in
the waters just offshore. And this was just