I looked "chiton" up on Google Image Search. This is not a chiton. It almost looks like some kind of bloated sand-dollar given the distinct five-pointed ridges across its dorsal surface. That, plus the bulky arm-like processes that attach to the rock surface, makes me think it's an echinoderm. It's the strangest creature I've seen on the island so far. Today I saw an anole lizard scamper across a rock, two small white herons, and sandpiper. We traveled to a really beautiful part of the island called "Needle Rock," and I was horrified to realize that I'd forgotten my camera. We'll probably go back with camera in tow, because you guys really need to see this formation.Maui, for those who haven't been here, is kind of like Racoon City--the walking dead parol every street and every shopping center. This is like a rich (old) man's Florida. Tomorrow, snorkeling, and I bought a waterproof camera specifically for such adventures!
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Ah-ha! Shingle urchin (Colobocentrotus) even cooler than a chiton, which actually I didn't realize was possible. Your echinoderm instincts were right, (though I notice wikipedia calls it a crustacean...bad wikipedia).
Have fun on the islands! I'm jealous.
Someday I'd like to do enough tropical snorkeling so that I could get it in perspective and figure out whether or not I like it more than sex. You lucky dog.
And I've got a food suggestion for you -- Jonny's Burger Joint. My dad brought me back their T-shirt and praised them to the sky...
... and a while later when I was at an estate sale, standing in line with the missus, there was this cute chubby redhead taking people's money. When it was our turn to pay, she saw my T-shirt and flipped out -- "That place is fantastic! When you order fries --" and here she used her hands to shape an imaginary mound of fries that looked to be in-between the size of a basketball and a severed head, "-- they give you FRIES."
Mmmm, and a plate lunch with grilled spare ribs and a side of kim chee...
(Heh. My word verification for this comment is 'hater.' It's like reading my mind, man.)
Noice. Crustaceans rock. Let me know how the food is. I may skimp out on London in 2012 to go to Hawaii instead!
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