The making of an Artificial Reef on Oahu, Hawaii

September 13, 2007 – Off the Waianae Coast of Oahu, Hawaii

Securely resting near 70 feet just off the leeward coast of Oahu “29 Down”, Oahu’s newest “wreck”, found a home where Hawaii scuba divers and sea life alike benefit from habitat created by a new artificial reef...

The journey to the current location began in 2004 when Mike Axelrod, owner, BOT Inc and more famously the “South Seas II” was invited to the set of a new television show that was being shot on Oahu for Discovery Channel Kids by Hawaii Film Partners
Mike recalls “When I visited the set I saw the plane on the beach and recognized it as one that I had for some years been trying to acquire to sink as an artificial reef. One of several 1950's DeHavilland Herons, previously used by Hawaii Air Transport Service and mothballed at Honolulu International Airport, was waiting for me and I couldn’t find anyone to hook me up to get one." Mike found the “new” owners and told them “he wanted the plane” when they were finished. “They thought I was nuts”. After the third season, the show ended and Mike and the producers agreed that if he could cover removal and transportation costs the plane was his at no additional charge. Golden State Trucking was kind enough to lend a hand moving the plane. They picked up the fuselage and transported it to Waianae Boat Harbor, where Loren Johnson of Paradise Tree Service supplied the heavy lifting to store the craft next to the Ice House, Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Mike and Ocean Concepts approached the state of Hawaii for permission to sink the prized possession to create an artificial reef within a “pre-approved box” off the Waianae Coast. The state examined the plan and agreed. BOT and Ocean Concepts Hawaii prepared a secure resting place for the plane in the designated area.
Assisted by Captains Mike Webster, Josh Cole, Melvin Baum, Don Oberheu, and Ocean Concepts professionals Joanna Mikutowicz, Stephen Vincenti and Patrick Metzger a series of old broken concrete pier pieces from a prior harbor renovation were “lift bagged” to make a cradle to secure the aircraft.

Moving the 50 foot 2000 pound fuselage to the water was the next hurdle. Fortunately, Sea Engineering Inc. was renovating piers in the harbor and project manager, Ikaika Kincaid and his crew, with permission from the owner, graciously lifted the plane to the loading dock and onto their work boat the “Huki Pau”and launched for the designated artificial reef site.
Upon release “29 Down” glided swiftly through the blue Pacific Ocean and settled nose down in its pre-determined area. After several lifts, moves and adjustments over several days the fuselage was secure in its new home. The saga continues…on October 25, the wings temporarily stored in Waialua were transported to Waianae Small Boat Harbor for staging and inspection. Once inspected and when the stars align again, the wings will be placed as close to their correct orientation as possible to create additional structure and complete the final phase of creating another great dive site on Oahu. Ocean Concepts visits "29 Down" every Friday, more often on afternoon and night charters. Check our Oahu daily dive schedule, and read the "29 Down" dive site description.
Special thanks to The State of Hawaii, William Aila, Harbormaster, Waianae Small Boat Harbor, Hawaii Film Partners, BOT Inc, Lee Bell, Ocean Concepts Hawaii, Sea Engineering, Bob Cherry and The Flying R Livestock Ranch, Paradise Tree Service and Golden State Trucking for their cooperation, hard work and generosity in creating what is rapidly becoming a well inhabited new dive site on Oahu, Hawaii. Photos by Stephen Vincenti, Ocean Concepts Hawaii.