Amelia, one of two of the new dive boats at Aquatic Life Divers. Aquatic Life Divers

Kona’s newest dive operation celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 3 at Honokohau Harbor. We had a chance to dive with the crew of Aquatic Life Divers earlier this year, where we enjoyed a full day of diving, including tiger shark and dolphin sightings. Since then, a lot has happened. Aquatic Life Divers acquired two new, state-of-the-art dive boats, launched a new website and hosted its first EcoDiver training course with the Reef Check Foundation.

Aquatic Life Divers is quickly making a name for itself by implementing new programs with a focus on coral and marine conservation in Hawaii. After diving with the crew earlier this year, founder Heather Howard shared that “she wakes up every day, living her best life.” A veteran to the dive industry with more than 11 years working and guiding on the Island of Hawaii, Howard says she is “doing the right thing, in the right way and at the right time.” This is her interpretation of a native Hawaiian phrase “Kina’ole.”

Divers surveying the reef during the three-day EcoDiver course. Aquatic Life Divers

Aquatic Life Divers completed its first Reef Check EcoDiver training program on Oct. 21 and is currently in process of developing a PADI specialty in partnership with the Reef Check foundation.

As the creator of this new specialty, Aquatic Life Divers is in a unique position to partner with other operators to help certify instructors and spread the message of conserving coral in the Hawaiian Islands. This falls right in line with the operator’s mission to educate its clients and community on topics of coral and ocean conservation.