Crab Hunting!

In the first week that I got to Hawaii, I was invited to go with a couple of my roommates and their friends to go crab hunting! I was excited to go, but I didnt know what to expect. We hopped into the back of a truck, hawaii-style, and rode down to Hauula Beach. It was after dark so we had flashlights, and headed towards the shoreline. We quickly learned that crab hunting is not as calm or easy as we first thought it was. I hope that the video helps show how fun and crazy crab hunting really is!

Firstly, you have to find a little hole that has sand dug out to the side of it. Then, you start digging. The crabs dig in a spiral, so you follow along the little hole until you feel the little guy (sometimes not-so little guy). It sounds so simple....it really isnt. Its TERRIFYING! You are literally putting your bare hands down into a dark hole with a creepy little pinching creature. The crabs dont pinch at you while you are digging, at least they didnt get us. Im sure they were trying to dig deeper. When you feel your fingertips hit the shell, it sends shivers up and down! Im not sure why, but its so intense and you get all sorts of anxiety.
Now comes the brave part. Its very strategic, and there are two options. One is to make sure you know where the front is compared to the back. Hold down the top of the shell so it can't turn and pinch. Dig around the back a little, and pinch the sides of the crab from the back. Done! The second option is to scoop the crab right out of the whole, flinging it onto the shore where the crab goes CRAZY!! It looks like a big spider, only much faster. These guys move so quick. You have to be ready with armfulls of sand and when they start running around, you chase after them, throwing the sand to try to bury and stop them. Once you get them stopped, you dig them out the same way as the first option, only now its easier because you dont have to reach into a deep hole! I prefer the first way though, its less scary.
If this sounds easy, its not! And it brought out a lot of screams, even from the guys! I was so nervous to dig them out and hold them but Im glad I made myself do it. Half of the people that came wouldn't do either. After we collected 7 or 8 crabs in a bucket, we let them go into the ocean. It was so exhilerating, I can't wait to take my family and friends when they come out to visit!