vmkchdev allows you to assign PCI devices to either the service console or the VMkernel. If you want to "disable" a VMkernel HBA, then you'd simply reassign it to the service console.
\[root@ESX1 root]# vmkchdev -h
Usage:
-s (scan device)
-c (give device to console)
-v (give device to vmkernel)
-l (list device state)
-L (list device state with details)
\[0x][bus[:slot\[.func]]]
You need the PCI bus:slot.func ID which is obtained via lspci
Paul
