Mike Severns Diving * Recommended reading

cover "...is a hymn of praise to the small volcanic island cradled in the calm protected waters created by the close proximity of Maui, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Over the past sixteen years Mike Severns and Pauline Fiene have had the opportunity to observe and photograph Molokini and its marine life on an almost daily basis.The more hours spent underwater, the more Molokini revealed, surprising visitors and scientists alike with its abundance and variety of marine life. Its mature coral gardens have been described as the most beautiful in the state. Rare and unusual inhabitants, some of which have never been photographed by divers, are captured on film, in addition to the more common residents and their behaviors. The lure of Molokini has been great in recent years, yet there is still little understanding of its ecology and its need of protection. This book entices and educates, presenting the diversity and uniqueness of the marine life to open the eyes of Hawaii residents and visitors alike." ------ Pacific Art and Travel.

Molokini Island -Hawaii's Island Marine Sanctuary. Softcover.

Diving Hawaii and Midway
A Guide to the Aloha State's Best Diving

by Mike Severns and Pauline Fiene

The fascinating introduction of this book sets the tone for a totally different kind of Hawaii dive guide. Bringing the experiences of thirty years of diving Hawaii from a biologist's perspective, this guide includes descriptions of the underwater environments to be found in this isolated chain of islands as well as special features on everything from humpback whales to profiles of Hawaii diving personalities to wrecks of the islands to a tongue-in-cheek octopus harassment quiz. Maps and beautiful photography round out this exceptional guide.

Hawaiian Seashells

by Mike Severns

Seashell lovers finally have a solid, full-color guide to identify 360 species of Hawaii's seashells, both common and rare. Each of the 63 families begins with a stunning photograph showcasing distinctive features and capturing the artistic beauty of the shells of each family, and is followed by an introduction to that family's characteristics, habits and ecology. But where this book becomes a truly valuable resource is the species photographs. Every species photo is a double exposure showing both the back and underside of the same shell, making identification crystal clear! Species range from those commonly found in tide pools to some that were brought up from as deep as 1,000 feet and are rarely seen. Mike Severns, a biologist whose primary interest is Hawaiian tree snails, has taken 25 years of work with Hawaiian seashells and combined that experience with his knowledge of photography to produce an invaluable and artistic reference.

Sulawesi Seas -
Indonesia's Magnificent Underwater Realm

by Mike Severns and Pauline Fiene

Sulwesi Seas "Mike Severns is an astonishingly talented underwater photographer who clearly holds a deep understanding of his subject. Now he and wife, Pauline Fiene-Severns, have produced a picture book that is stunning to the eye and captioned throughout with succinct, readable anecdotes from which flow accurate, sophisticated information. This is no superficial coffee-table book of clever images. The photographs and their subjects are so beautiful that a thousand words would not convey the impression their image has on the viewer. Severns is a master of his craft and his book demands to be looked at. Here is a feast of clarity, balance, shape, color, texture and simplicity." --- Garuda Magazine.

Sulawesi Seas -Indonesia's Magnificent Underwater Realm. Hardcover. 160 pages, 9" x 12", 150 color photos. ©1994. StaplesEcenbarger Publishing. $50.00 Get a signed copy direct from author or Amazon Books

Shore Fishes of Hawaii

by Dr. John E. Randall

cover "There are living giants in every field of science, and Dr. John E. Randall of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Hawaii and the Bishop Museum reigns in ichthyology, the study of fishes. No one has more knowledge or experience concerning the fishes of tropical seas. Drawing on his knowledge of Hawaiian fishes and his skill as a fish photographer, he has produced this compact guidebook on the shore fishes of Hawaii. It covers 342 species, hence virtually all that a snorkeler or SCUBA diver might see in the Hawaiian Islands. Each species is illustrated in color. When there is a difference in color of the sexes, as often in the wrasses and parrotfishes, or when a juvenile is very different in color, all stages are portrayed. I have no doubt that this book will long serve as the premier guide to the reef and shore fishes of Hawaii." ------ Dr. John E. McCosker, Chair of Aquatic Biology, California Academy of Sciences.

Shore Fishes of Hawaii. Softcover. 216 pages. 5" x 8", 429 color photos. $14.95 Sea Challengers

Hawaii's Fishes

by John P. Hoover

"It's a guidebook and more. In addition to providing basic nuts and bolts information on Hawaiian fish likely to be encountered while prowling the reef, Hoover includes many tidbits culled from ancient Hawaiian stories and fishing lore and hints for aquarists. Hawaii's Fishes also includes chapters on the state's undersea environment, fish anatomy, and where to snorkel and dive." ---- Jim Witty, Hawaii Tribune Herald.

Hawaii's Sea Creatures
A Guide to Hawaii's Marine Invertebrates

by John P. Hoover

The book that Hawaii's divers have long awaited! This is THE book for identifying over 500 species of invertebrates found in Hawaiian waters. This hefty 2 pound volume is filled with excellent photos of both the common and rare. But where it truly excels is in the quality and depth of information provided. John Hoover rooted out not only the scientific and Hawaiian names of each species, but what the names mean. He scoured the scientific literature for the latest proposed scientific names. He discovered sources of fascinating anecdotes, past uses, and Hawaiian perceptions adding depth to what is known about the animals. This well researched book is the first comprehensive Hawaii invertebrate book since Edmondson's 1944 Reef and Shore Fauna. Truly, it sets the standard for all regional invertebrate books to follow.

Hawaii's Sea Creatures. 383 pages. 6" x 9", 600 color photos. Softcover $23.95. Hardcover $29.95. www.hawaiisfishes.com

Hawaiian Nudibranchs

by Scott Johnson and Hans Bertsch

The only book specifically covering the Hawaiian nudibranchs. 79 species are illustrated, including several Hawaiian endemics. Included at the beginning is a good introduction to the most beautiful group of animals in the sea!!

Hawaii's Humpback Whales

by Greg Kaufman and Paul Forestell

cover "This book will appeal to the interested lay reader and researcher alike. It serves well as a general introduction to baleen whales and even better as a detailed update on the humpback as it includes information on current sexing techniques, social dynamics, a synthesis of research on humpback songs, and a chapter on interpreting behavior....the content is thoroughly reliable and shot through with personal anecdotes and encounters." --- Delphine Haley, ed. Marine Mammals of the North Pacific.

Hawaii's Humpback Whales. Softcover. 176 pages, 6" x 9", 140 color and b&w photos. 1995. Island Heritage Publishing. Amazon Books

The Diver's Guide to Maui

by Chuck Thorne

A shore diving guide with maps and descriptions of more than 50 shore diving and snorkeling sites. Dives are rated for beginners to advanced divers. Essential for shore diving Maui and getting the most out of your dives. Includes seasonal weather information.

The Diver's Guide to Maui. Softcover, 80 pages, 6" x 9", 59 b&w photos and maps. Amazon Books

Sharks of Hawaii -
Their Biology and Cultural Significance

by Leighton Taylor

Excellent, comprehensive guide to the shark species found in Hawaiian waters. Photos include sharks, Hawaiian artifacts and aspects of shark biology. The author combines modern scientific knowledge with information from Hawaiian oral tradition and artifacts to present a richer natural history of sharks in Hawaii and their place in Hawaiian culture. He also describes how Hawaii's waters can be enjoyed without exaggerated fears of sharks in addition to giving us a fascinating case by case account of all recorded suspected shark attacks in Hawaii since 1779.

Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific : Animal Life from Africa to Hawaii

Exclusive of the Vertebrates

by Terrance Gosliner, David Behrens & Gary Williams.

The most up-to-date, accurate guide to Indo-Pacific invertebrates available. Covers over 1,100 species! Essential for any dive trip to the Central and Western Pacific.

Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific. Softcover, 314 pages, 8" x 10", over 1,000 color photographs. 1996. $60.00 Sea Challengers

The Manual of Underwater Photography

by Heinz-Gert De Couet & Andrew Green

This is THE book for underwater photographers, covering the practical subjects of equipment and how to use it, as well as physics and more technical aspects particular to underwater photography. Comprehensive..

A Field Guide to The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific

by H. Douglas Pratt, Phillip L. Bruner and Delwyn G. Berrett

Sponsored by the Hawaiian Audubon Society, this book will be useful not just for Hawaii, but for other dive destinations farther out into the Pacific such as Palau, Fiji or Truk. The Hawaiian bird fauna is put into perspective using maps and color plates of the bird species as they change throughout the Pacific. Great size, full of information on behavior, vocalizations and ecology. All three authors have extensive field experience in the tropical Pacific.

Maui Handbook

by J.D. Bisignani

An excellent reference for first time visitors to Maui and repeat visitors who want to know more about Maui and what it has to offer. Very useful for planning accommodations in all price ranges and getting an idea of the layout of the island. This book has been updated every couple years since 1986. Included are introductions to the land and its flora and fauna, the history of the islands, the people and the Hawaiian language and how to conduct yourself among the locals. The book is broken down into areas of the island and the accommodations and restaurants and attractions of each. Activities such as camping and hiking, recreational activities, arts and crafts, museums and events are covered as well as plenty detailed maps, photos and drawings and lots of pricing information. This book will definitely enhance your vacation with its many tips and listings of activities, places and island specialties that you would not even know to look for!

Maui Handbook. Softcover. 393 pages, 5" x 7", 1995. Moon Publications. $14.95 Amazon Books

Hawaii's Birds

by Hawaii Audubon Society

This is a pocket size guide to the birds of Hawaii, both native and introduced. Divided into marine, wetland, open country, forest, and widespread and urban birds, it covers every species that a birdwatcher is likely to see here. Also discusses how the native bird fauna was radically affected by the early Polynesians and what other changes have occurred since the arrival of Westerners.

Hawaii's Birds. Softcover, 112 pages, 5" x 7", 49 color photos. 1993 Fourth Edition. Hawaii Audubon Society. $9.95 Amazon Books

Maui's Floral Splendor

by Angela Kay Kepler

A friendly color guide to the island's native and introduced flowers. 388 species (70 native and 317 introduced) are arranged by flower color to assist in identifications. This is no dry ID book, however. It includes Hawaiian uses and photos of the lei made with some of the flowers, name origins and modern medicinal uses. The only book we can think of that pictures almost every flower that is likely to be encountered here.

Maui's Floral Splendor. Softcover. 144 pages, 6" x 9", 453 color photos. 1995. Mutual Publishing. $12.95 Amazon Books

Ordering information:

Autographed copies of Molokini Island and Sulawesi Seas are available directly from Mike Severns Diving. Just fill out an online secure order form and email or fax it to us.

An excellent source for marine-related books is:

Sea Challengers Natural History Books for the SCUBA Diver, Marine Biologist, Student and Underwater Photographer. A GREAT source for marine life books that you won't find in most bookstores. Their phone number is (925)327-7750, Fax (925)736-8982.

Mike Severns Diving HOME

Mail to: severns@mauigateway.com

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Molokini - Hawaii's Island Marine Sanctuary

Diving Hawaii and Midway A Guide to the Aloha State's Best Diving