Hawaii Volcano

Hawaii's Volcano Quake And Tsunami Man- MidWeek Cover 01-19-2005 | Midweek.com Hawaii's Volcano, Quake &Tsunami Man Brian Yanagi By Alice Keesing Volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. Thats quite an explosive trio and its up to Brian Yanagi at state Civil Defense to prepare Hawaii for the trio of natural disasters. The dynamic nature of his charges has earned the former naval intelligence officer the nickname of Mr. Shake n Bake. On the serious side, its his job to make sure they dont become massive killers. Yanagi would never say it, but there have been frustrating times in recent years trying to keep the public alert and prepared for such devastating disasters. While tsunamis are the No. 1 natural disaster killer in the Islands, a whole generation has grown up without experiencing one. The it wont happen to us mindset has taken hold. But oh, how things have changed since Dec. 26. After the Indian Ocean earthquake and South Asia tsunami, Yanagi and other tsunami experts have been in hot demand. I have been getting multitudes of international, national and local media calls about Hawaiis tsunami preparedness program, Yanagi says. The focus may be on another part of the world right now, but its also time to shake up Hawaiis attitude to the killer waves. Tsunamis killed 221 people and injured hundreds more in Hawaii in the 20th century compared to seven people killed by hurricanes. And Yanagi worries that with todays densely populated coastlines, the potential for death and destruction is even greater. There has been an unusual period of quiet in recent times, but the oft-repeated line in tsunami circles is that its not a matter of if, but when. I would say that Hawaii is more susceptible to destructive tsunamis than the Indian Ocean countries, Yanagi says. Thats because Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically volatile circle ripe for the earthquakes and underwater landslides that can shift the huge amounts of water that trigger tsunamis. The location that most worries Yanagi is the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska an earthquake there could spawn a tsunami that races south across the Pacific at 500 mph and reaches Hawaii in just five hours. Other areas the experts keep an anxious eye on are Chile and Japan. And then theres the potential danger of locally produced tsunamis. An earthquake on the Big Island could spawn a tsunami that sweeps ashore and through the islands in a matter of minutes. The real sleeper is Mauna Loa, Yanagi says. When it erupts, the strong earthquake shaking could generate a tsunami. Thats the one we need to keep an eye out for. Experts predict Mauna Loa will probably erupt in the next five years. The good news is that Hawaii is the most tsunami-prepared state in the nation and many are turning here for a role model in the wake of the recent tragedy. But given that, experts still agree there is a lot more that could be done even here. Yanagi and others hope the South Asia tragedy will provide the impetus for more resources to keep improving the system. In particular, Yanagi would like to see the number of tsunami detection buoys in the Pacific increased from six to as many as 30. Its those eyes in the ocean that help the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center predict the arrival of killer waves. Civil Defense also has spent years producing detailed checklists and developing response plans. When Civil Defense needs to spring into action, its hobbit-hole type bunker burrowed into the wall of Diamond Head Crater is full of ceiling-to-floor charts and maps, communication systems, an emergency radio broadcast facility, a generator and even bunks and supplies so the operation can continue 24 hours a day. Its part of Yanagis job to keep all that information up to date with the latest scientific information and to drill and drill and redrill the response plans. This is what Yanagi wants you to know:When the sirens sound, turn on your radio for the Civil Defense message. If its a tsunami warning, check your phone book to see if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone. If you are, get to higher ground. In the case of Waikiki, where an en masse evacuation would only result in traffic gridlock, the advice is to evacuate vertically get above at least three stories. People outside of the tsunami evacuation zones should just stay put, Yanagi says. Dont get in your car because youll just contribute to the traffic. Parents should also know that DOE schools are prepared to walk their students out. They practice and drill this. So parents dont need to rush down to pick them up. The situation becomes more urgent in the case of a locally produced tsunami. Things will happen so fast that there may not be time for a warning siren. If the ground shakes severely, or the ocean recedes or you hear the sound of a freight train coming for you, says Yanagi, thats Mother Natures way of warning you to get to higher ground. One of the nightmare scenarios for people like Yanagi and one that tragically occurred in South Asia is when people go down to look at the seabed that can be laid bare by the strong undertow-type forces that can precede the wave train. Animals sense danger and they run away, but when humans sense something unusual, even dangerous, they tend to wander down in harms way, Yanagi says. Now (after all the footage from South Asia) theres really no excuse for people to be wandering down to the ocean in the event of a tsunami. Hawaii tsunami expert Walter Dudley credits Yanagi and Civil Defense with efforts to educate the public on the dangers of tsunamis. The division teamed up with the Pacific Tsunami Museum and the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes to distribute thousands of DVDs trying to debunk the myth that a tsunami is a surfable wave. Theyve been very, very proactive in that sense, says Dudley, author of Tsunami! and an oceanography professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Worrying about impending threats has been the story of Yanagis career. Although to start with, he used to worry about manmade threats rather than those from Mother Nature. Yanagi grew up in Kaimuki, a childhood that he wryly says was spent trying to stay out of trouble and earn good grades to please his parents. His dad was Stanley Maui Yanagi, who was head of the Carpenters Union for 25 years in the 40s and 50s when Hawaii was becoming unionized. After graduating from Kalani High (where he was class president), Yanagi received a Congressional nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., from U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga. He earned his oceanography degree before going on to serve as a naval intelligence officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway . Yes, it was real spy stuff, he says. Yanagi lived with Top Gun aviators and briefed them on Soviet Union and Middle Eastern intelligence operations. This was during the edgy times of the Iranian hostage crisis, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war. Yanagi had top-secret security clearance a real eye-opener to the world. The news only reports the tip of the iceberg, he says. I got to see the whole iceberg, what was really happening with politics and the military in the world. After retiring from the Naval Reserves, Yanagi went on to teach algebra and trigonometry at Hawaii Pacific College in the mid-80s. He then worked as a public relations consultant to Turtle Bay Resort promoting golf tournaments, including the inaugural Senior Skins Legends of Golf Tournament featuring Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Sam Snead. (Yanagi is a keen weekend chaser of the little white ball himself.) He joined the state Civil Defense Division in 1990. Last year he won the state defense departments employee of the year award. Thats pretty impressive when you consider the size of this department; thats thousands of people, says Civil Defense spokesman Ray Lovell. Hes very dedicated to what hes doing, Lovell adds. He realizes that the work he does, that were dealing with real life-and-death stuff. That has been driven home by what we saw in the Indian Ocean. We cant let down. When you spend your day thinking about killer waves that could descend within a matter of hours, it probably pays to have some light relief in your life. For this self-described middle-aged DINK (double income no kids), that relief came with an adventure into acting that started in the mid-90s. He got the bug when The Phantom of the Opera appeared at the Blaisdell. You just see how much fun these people are having on stage, Yanagi says. Its one of the great escapes you can have in life. Youre being another person for a while in your life. Its very invigorating. So he sings? Well, yes, badly, but I do sing. And Im trying to dance without falling over myself, he laughs. Yanagi has performed in half a dozen musicals, starring in Flower Drum Song with KHNL-8 anchor Jodi Leong, South Pacific with American Idol s Jordan Segundo and My Fair Lady with KHON-2s Tina Shelton. But these days, Yanagi is more involved with events on the world stage, organizing a visit to South Asia with an international team of scientists. They will be analyzing the damage caused by the tsunami. That information will help prepare Hawaii better for the next destructive tsunami, he says. Like others, Yanagi has been touched by the human tragedy. Even he is floored by the magnitude of the event. It just personally commits me more to this cause of saving lives and reducing property damage. To do that, he says, he needs people to pay attention and be smart too. MidWeek Home Page

MAUI WINDSURFING VANS 415

Hawaii - Maui - Auto/Recreation Rentals (surfboards, kayaks, boogie boards, bicycles, mopeds, snorkel gear etc.) Activities Maui Printer Friendly Version Help us preserve the Islands. Tell our advertisers you found them on Alternative-Hawaii. RENTALS: AUTO & OUTDOOR GEAR (See Also Sports & Recreation ) Automobiles / Campers | Bicycles | Boats / Yachts | Camping Equipment Kayaks | Medical Equipment Snorkeling/Diving | Surfing / Windsurfing AUTOMOBILES / CAMPERS SPONSORS AL WEST'S MAUI VANS 180 East Wakea Avenue, Suite K Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-0090 or 1-800-870-4084 (Reservations) Fax (808) 871-8733 Email: mauivan@mauivans.com Providing rental vans and station wagons to Maui windsurfers, surfers and vacation travelers for over 23 years. Featuring new or dependable used Fords and Chryslers - non-smoking vehicles that include windsurf and surfboard racks, free ice coolers, beach chairs, free child seats and beach toys. Free shuttle pick-up from the Kahului Airport. Photo CAR RENTALS IN HAWAII (Islands of Maui, Big Island, Oahu, Kauai & Molokai) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1835, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745-1835 Tel. 1-888-292-3307 (toll free) Email: info@hawaiidiscountcarrental.com Discounted rates on Wrangler soft tops, Mustang convertibles, SUV's, mini vans and cars through Budget, Avis, Dollar and Thrifty. No Prepayment! Book online. Free upgrades. Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Molokai. Photo DISCOUNT HAWAII CAR RENTALS (Islands of Maui, Big Island, Oahu, Kauai & Molokai) $139.50/wk Economy cars, $274.75/wk Wranglers and Convertibles. Reserve Avis, Budget, Dollar and Thrifty Rental Cars at our pre-negotiated discounted rates lower than booking directly with car companies. Free upgrades. Spouse drives free. Age 21-24 no surcharge. Free overtime. No money up front. No cancellation charges. Photo IMUA CAMPER COMPANY 45 Shipman Street Hilo, HI 96720 (Islands of Maui and the Big Island) Tel. (808) 935-6241 Fax (808) 935-6241 Email: reservations@imua-tour.com Daily, weekly, and monthly rental of Volkswagen Westfalia Campers with gas stove, refrigerator, sink, and sleeping accommodations for four. A pleasurable and affordable way to freely explore the Hawaiian Islands. Rates: $85 per day with weekly discounts. Photo WAILUA BAY DISCOUNT CAR RENTALS (Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island & Molokai) Tel. 1-800-882-9007 Fax (425) 556-1292 Email: info@wailuabay.com Offering corporate discount Hawaii car rentals from Avis, Budget, Thrifty and Dollar on Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Big Island of Hawaii and Molokai. There are no prepayment or cancellation fees. Jeep Wranglers, Ford Mustangs, SUV's and Minivans. Compare rates instantly and reserve online. Photo FRIENDS AA ALOHA CARS-R-US 938 South Kihei Road Kihei, HI 96753 (South Maui) Tel. (808) 879-7989 or 1-800-655-7989 A reservation center representing major car rental agencies offering discounted rates for all Hawaiian Islands. Recommended by Frommers, Fodors and Paradise Family Guides. ACCESSIBLE VANS OF HAWAII 296 Alamaha Street, Suite C Kahului, HI 96732 (All Hawaiian Islands) Tel. (808) 871-7785 or 1-800-303-3750 Rent and sell full size and mini wheelchair and scooter vans by the day, the week, or the month. Their travel consultant can arrange accessible accommodations, activities, sightseeing, medical equipment rentals, or personal care attendants. ADVENTURES RENT A JEEP 190 Papa Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-6626 or 1-800-701-5337 Drive to Hana on the dirt road - go for it in a Wrangler. ALAMO RENT A CAR 905 W. Mokuea Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-6235 Daily, weekly and weekend rates. AVIS RENT A CAR Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-7575 or 1-800-321-3712 Featuring G.M. cars. BUDGET CAR RENTAL Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. 1-800-451-3600 One of Hawaii's top car rental companies. DOLLAR RENT A CAR 946 Mokuea Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. 1-800-800-4000 Daily and weekly rates on all six major islands. ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR 335 E. Wakea Avenue Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-1511 or 1-800-325-8007 Low rates, great cars, free pick-up. HERTZ RENT A CAR 850 Mokuea Place Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-5167 or 1-800-654-3011 Featuring Fords and other fine cars. KIHEI RENT-A-CAR 96 Kio Loop Kihei, HI 96753 (South Maui) Tel. (808) 879-7257 Jeeps and sedans. Daily, weekly and monthly rates. MAUI CRUISERS CAR RENTAL, INC. 1270 Piihana Road Wailuku, HI 96793 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 249-2319 or 1-877-749-7889 Maui's affordable car rental company. Offering decent, clean, well-maintained Toyotas and Nissans. Drive a car that has the "local look" and you'll blend right in. If you want to look like a tourist, call one of the bigger companies. MAUI WINDSURFING VANS 415 Dairy Road Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-0090 Vans with inside board racks, coolers, beach chairs. NATIONAL CAR RENTAL Mokuea Place Kahului Airport Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-8851 or 1-800-227-7368 Wide variety of cars - from economy to mini-vans. THRIFTY CAR RENTAL 542 Keolani Place Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. 1-877-283-0898 or 1-800-367-5238 Featuring Chrysler and other fine cars. WORD OF MOUTH RENT A CAR Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-2436 or 1-800-533-5929 Maui's original low cost rentals in business since 1975. Free airport pick up. Top BICYCLES SPONSORS HALEAKALA BIKE COMPANY 810 Haiku Road, Suite 120 Haiku, HI 96708 (Upcountry Maui) Tel. (808) 575-9575 or 1-888-922-2453 (toll free) Email: staff@bikemaui.com One of Maui's most experienced, most affordable downhill tour companies. Home of the original freestyle Haleakala Downhill. Over 50,000 satisfied customers. Mountain bike rentals available. Photo FRIENDS SOUTH MAUI BICYCLES 1993 South Kihei Road, Unit # 5 Kihei, HI 96753 (South Maui) Tel. (808) 874-0068 Road and mountain bike rentals and repairs. Daily and weekly rates. WEST MAUI CYCLES 840 Wainee Street Lahaina, HI 96761 (West Maui) Tel. (808) 661-9005 Road and mountain bike rentals. Top BOATS / YACHTS SPONSOR HAWAII NAUTICAL: KO OLINA CAT Ko Olina Resort and Marina Ko Olina, HI (All Hawaiian Islands) Mailing Address: 46-471 Hololio Street, Kaneohe, HI 96744 Tel. (808) 234-SAIL Fax (808) 235-6794 Email: hawaiinautical@aol.com Featuring the brand-new 52 foot Ko Olina Cat for dolphin activities, sailing and snorkeling. Guaranteed dolphin or whale sightings. Great crew, great food and drink, great time! The complete source for boats, professional marine services, and recreation packages to enjoy Hawaii's beautiful waters. They provide yacht sales, boat charters, captains, deliveries, sailing lessons, ecotours, slips, and marine surveys. Photo Top CAMPING EQUIPMENT MAUI ECO-ADVENTURES 180 Dickenson Street, Suite 102 Lahaina, HI 96761 (West Maui) Tel. (808) 661-7720 Tents & sleeping bags. Call for information. Top KAYAKS SOUTH PACIFIC KAYAKS & OUTFITTERS 95 Hale Kauai Street Kihei, HI 96753 (Island of Maui) Tel. (808) 875-4848 or 1-800-776-2326 Maui's original kayak adventures. World class guides offering experiences you won't forget. Come paddle with some of the best. Maui's only full service kayak store - sales and rentals. Top MEDICAL EQUIPMENT HAWAII HOME INFUSION 4473 Pahee Street, Suite 1 Lihue, HI 96766 (Islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui) Tel. (808) 245-3787 Offering the following services and equipment to visitors: home medical equipment and supplies, wheelchairs (manual and electric), IV therapy, and respiratory and oxygen therapy. Top SNORKELING / DIVING MAUI DIVE SHOP 1455 South Kihei Road Kihei, HI 96753 (Island of Maui) Tel. (808) 879-3388 or 1-800-542-DIVE Maui's full-service dive shop established in 1978. Nine locations island-wide. Daily diving / snorkeling boats to Molokini and Lanai. Choose between a 48 foot custom built Pro-Diver or two 32 foot Munson Jet-Drives. Continental breakfast, all equipment available. Call for the shop location nearest you. Top SURFING / WINDSURFING SPONSOR AL WEST'S MAUI VANS 180 East Wakea Avenue, Suite K Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-0090 or 1-800-870-4084 (Reservations) Fax (808) 871-8733 Email: mauivan@mauivans.com Providing rental vans and station wagons to Maui windsurfers, surfers and vacation travelers for over 23 years. Featuring new or dependable used Fords and Chryslers - non-smoking vehicles that include windsurf and surfboard racks, free ice coolers, beach chairs, free child seats and beach toys. Free shuttle pick-up from the Kahului Airport. Photo FRIENDS A & B RENTAL 3481 Lower Honoapiilani Road Honokowai, HI 96761 (West Maui) Tel. (808) 669-0027 Snorkel masks, surfboards, etc. HAWAIIAN ISLAND SURF AND SPORT 415 Dairy Road, Suite A Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 871-4981 or 1-800-231-6958 Have helped thousands of visitors from around the world come to Maui. They have it all - windsurfing and boardsurfing equipment sales and rentals, accommodations and car rentals. HI-TECH SURF SPORTS 425 Koloa Kahului, HI 96732 (Central Maui) Tel. (808) 877-2111 Considered one of Maui's best board stores. Carrying the largest selection of windsurfing equipment in Hawaii, Hi-Tech also has the biggest inventory of surfboards on Maui. Surfboard rentals and lessons. Rental includes two sails, roof rack, pads, harness, and lifejacket. Also offer kiteboards, skateboards, logo items and videos, and has a Hi-Tech Online Store. MAUI WINDSURF COMPANY 22 Hana Highway Kahului, HI 96732 (Island of Maui) Tel. (808) 877-4816 or 1-800-872-0999 The choice for all your windsurfing, kite sailing, and surfing needs. Lessons, new and used equipment for purchase or rental, used gear, windsurf vans and wagons. Specializing in windsurf vacations and offering accommodations in every price range - B&Bs, condos, cottages, homes, estates. Top Activities Index | Home Page Contact Us | Sponsor Join Us Form ©Ala Mua Hawaii 1997

Hawaiian Cruise

Hawaiian Cruises - Cruises For Less by cruises4less.com Hawaiian Cruises 1-800-269-7836 (9 am to 9 pm EST - Monday through Saturday) (Sundays - Available to Loyalty Club Members only) WE HANDLE CRUISES ON ALL CRUISE LINES. COME VISIT OUR HOME PAGE PLEASE NOTE: Lindale Travel, Inc. is an agency specializing in the sale of cruises -- the ships, sailing dates, and rates are only a small number of the special rates we have access to through our volume buying discounts. We represent all the cruise lines, world wide. If you do not see what you are looking for here -- please call our office on our toll free number so that we can assist you with your personal selection of a ship, sailing date, and special discounted rate. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to answer your questions and assist with your planning. If you don't see exactly what you are looking for, call us at 1-800-269-7836. We can still get you a great rate for any cruise you are interested in. Click HERE to Browse All Major Cruise Lines! DISCLAIMER: Offers are capacity controlled and based on prices and cabin categories available when prepared for posting to website. Restrictions may apply. Prices are cruise only and include port charges/NCF but not miscellaneous government taxes and fees unless otherwise noted. Actual price subject to market fluctuation and is primarily determined by categories available and prices in effect at time of booking. May sell out, increase, decrease, or be withdrawn at any time. We also have cruise specials for the following destinations: Alaska Australia Bahamas Bermuda Eastern Caribbean Europe Far East Hawaii Mediterranean Mexican Riviera Panama Canal Southern Caribbean Western Caribbean Repositioning Luxury Cruises TO RETURN TO OUR HOME PAGE, CLICK ON THIS: HOME PAGE ©1998-2005 Lindale Travel, Inc. All Rights Reserved This URL: www.cruises4less.com This site maintained, hosted and marketed by: Net Site Marketing Cruises are a great way to celebrate! -- How about a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, retirement, family reunion, special friends, holiday, or just a special vacation. And cruises are surprisingly inexpensive. Compare a land-based vacation with that of an all inclusive cruise vacation. Compare your costs to stay for a week at a First Class Resort Hotel -- travel each day to a new location - eat out for every meal in fine dining restaurants (and all you can eat at that, with no limitations on the food or the budget!) - stop in somewhere for a midmorning snack - go for daily afternoon formal tea, with white gloved, silver tea service, cookies, pastries and finger sandwiches - go for a huge midnight buffet somewhere elegant - take in a live performance every night of top rated entertainers - and then go dancing afterward to an orchestra or band playing your favorite music. We believe that you will agree the cruise is your best vacation dollar buy. There is a cruise for every budget - us help you find just the right on for you. We represent all the cruise lines, world wide, big ships, medium size ships, small ships, intimate sailing vessels, wherever and whatever you desire. All of our cruises rates are discounted and we offer you the best rates with the highest quality of fast personal customer service available anywhere. Our clients are very special people. We work had to see that you have a very special cruise experience at a price you can afford. You've come to the right place - cruises4less.com. Whether you're wishing for a seven day cruise, or a three day or two day cruise. Or maybe you're dreaming of a two week cruise, or even an around the world cruise! Are you looking to cruise the Bahamas, or Alaska, Bermuda, Australia, Mexico, the Mediterranean, or even repositioning to Europe? From the big ships to the more intimate ones, we can give you all the details you need on the Carnival Cruise Lines, the QE II, the Royal Caribbean, the Celebrity, the Princess, the Destiny, the Holland America and the Mercury. Or even the NCL, the Crown, the Costa, the Norwegian, or the Century, and don't forget Disney Magic, your cruise will be a fantasy come true at cruises4less.com, the lowest price cruise specialists. Call us today! Go cruising!

Lahaina while offering all

Best Western Pioneer Inn - Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Pioneer Inn - Maui 658 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761 (808) 661-3636 fax : (808) 667-5708 Home Accommodations Activities Reservations Weddings Calendar Frequent Traveler BestWestern.com MAKE A RESERVATION 1-800-457-5457 THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN® Contact Us Virtual Tour Internet Specials Pioneer Inn News Location Map History Built in 1901 and substantially remodeled to meet Best Western standards , the Pioneer Inn captures the ambiance of the whaling days and the plantation era, with architecture that evokes the tranquil lifestyle of turn of the century Lahaina while offering all the comforts and convenience of a modern hotel. Check out the latest in Downtown Lahaina . More ... A selection of offers and packages from the Pioneer Inn . More ... The Best Western Pioneer Inn is located at the waters edge on historic Lahaina Harbor (once the whaling capital of the Pacific). A few steps from our front door all ocean recreational activitiesare available, such as whale watching, catch the daily ferry to the Island of Lanai, scuba diving, snorkeling, world class fishing, yacht and submarine cruises, para-sailing, and sun worshiping emanate. No other hotel on Maui can offer such convenient access to these facilities. Located in the heart of Lahaina Town shopping and Historical Walking Tours are just outside our front door. Take a Virtual Tour of the Pioneer Inn and local Maui attractions. What could be more romantic that to be married in the Gazebo at the Pioneer Inn with a Maui sunset as a backdrop. More ...

Maui Windsurfing Report Brought

Hawaii Health Guide - Healthtalk Search Health Talk All Islands BIG_ISLAND Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu All Categories Community Environment Personal Health Other Health Talk Archives last week this week today -- all items this month this week Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2003 2004 2005 2006 PLACE YOUR AD HERE Contact Hawaii Health Guide for Advertising Rates & Info. -- PLACE YOUR AD HERE Contact Hawaii Health Guide for Advertising Rates & Info. PLACE YOUR AD HERE Contact Hawaii Health Guide for Advertising Rates & Info. -- All Islands Health Talk Windsurfing Maui A-Z Windsurfing Maui A-Z Sep 20, 2005 / Community All Islands, Maui By Frank "SIMS" Bingel The coloful sails and great winds of Hookipa Related Links www.sims-windsurfing.de/sims.html Learn more about the Author - Frank "SIMS" Bingel Maui Windsurfing Report Brought to you by Maui Weather Today Much has been said and written about Maui, but there remain manyuntold stories and emotions associated with this windsurfing mecca. Look down and thewater is the deepest of blues. Look to your left and you see people taking lessons. Lookfar to your right and you see pros throwing loops off nothing. Everyone who has had thegood luck to sail at Maui long enough (including myself) has a great story to tell, infact, many great stories . . . breaking or losing half of their sailing equipment on theinfamous and dreaded Hookipa "rocks" and the feeling of absolute terror in theimpact zone with not a breath of wind in your sail.On a given day, Maui has a greatervariety of sailing conditions for all levels of boardsailors than anywhere in the world.Maui's motto says it all :"MAUI NO KA OI". Translated it's :Maui is thebest.This is truly a place designed for Windsurfing. Sailing Conditions: For those looking for high winds: visit Maui in thesummer. From May to August, the northeast trade winds average 15 to 25 miles/hr, with manydays in the 20 to 30 mile/hr range. The summer is also when the wave swell is at itssmallest. For those who are looking for Maui's famous surf: visit it when there are bothtrades and waves - spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). From Decemberto February, the northeasterlies are less consistent, but there are still great sailingdays during this time - big wave days especially! During the winter, Kona storms willbring in 10-to 20-knot southwesterlies to the south shore. The sailing is side-onshore,port tack, with conditions similar to lake sailing. Another typical winter occurrence is5-to 15-knot northerlies. These winds funnel between the West Maui Mountains and theHaleakala Crater creating great side-offshore, slalom sailing on the south shore. KANAHA BEACH PARK - Kanaha is abeautiful beach park with long, sandy beaches, grassy area for rigging, fresh watershowers, shading trees, and picnic tables, all located in Kahului on the northshore.Sideshore northeast tradewinds blow consistently during June - August, with typically flatwater sailing on the inside, and good bump and jump conditions on the outside. BetweenOctober and May you can find waves on the outside reefs, ranging from small wind swell toexpert wave riding conditions. Most windsurf schools operate at Kanaha because of theconsistent wind and warm water. All year round it is a perfect place for any level sailor. SPRECKELSVILLE / CAMP ONE - Up the coast fromKanaha there is a residential area called Spreckelsville which has many beautiful sandybeaches. The main area to sail is affectionately known as "Sprecks", whichprovides pristine blue-green water and white sandy beach. Parking is limited, so arriveearly. There are no facilities or showers. The sailing level is typically intermediate toadvanced, with the reef making for more chop and breaking waves. Camp One is a no frillsbeach at the end of the Kahului Airport runway. The place has no showers, no grass riggingareas, no toilet, and barely a trash can. It does have a beautiful beach and the onlybreaking waves for most of the summer. The place is frequented by German's, Australians,Italians, French and local windsurfers. It's a place where you want to be polite andfollow the local traditions and laws to the letter. HOOKIPA - Hookipa is the windsurfingmecca of the world. Host to World Cup sailing and surfing contests, Hookipa rips. Jaggedlava rock, exposed reefs, a gnarly shorebreak, light inside winds and powerful ripcurrents make this north shore difficult to launch off limits for most sailors. Expertslaunch from the Beach Park, just downwind from the pavillion. Expect crowds, with manysailors lulling around the outside and looking for a good wave to rip on the inside. Whenthe water flattens in the summer months, slalom sailors launch here at Hookipa and blastdownwind along the north shore. KIHEI - Kihei is the south shore's mostpopular windsurfing spot. When the tradewinds blow north/northeast the pavillion locatedat the intersection of Ohukai Street and South Kihei Road is a great place to sail. Thereef can be shallow on the inside, especially near the Maui Sunset, so consult the localsbefore venturing out. Kihei is good for all level sailors and has a variety ofaccommodations nearby! Who to call: Al West's Maui Windsurfing Vans: 800-870-4084 Alan Cadiz's HST Windsurf School: 800-YOU-JIBE Coconuts Boy: 808-871-5084 Excursions Extraordinaires: 800-678-2252 Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport: 800-231-6958 Hi-Tech Hawaii: 808-877-2111 Hookipa Haven Vacation: 800-398-6284 Hot Sails Maui: 808-877-4433 Kanaha Beach Windsurfing: 808-876-0157 Maui Windsurfari: 800-736-MAUI Maui Windsurf Company/Cort Larned School: 808-877-4816 Maui Windsurfing Vans: 800358-2377 Sailboards Maui: 800-328-8877 Sailboard Vacations/Club Mistral: 800-252-1070 Second Wind Sail & Surf: 808-877-7467 Second Wind Travel Connection: 800-936-RSVP Surf Rents Trucks & Cargo Vans: 808-244-5544 Vela Windsurf Resorts: 800-223-5443 Windrigger Maui/Club Mistral: 800-345-MAUI Windsurfing West: 8003-580-2377 Windsurfing West Vacations: 800-782-6105 Windsurfing Vacations: 800-635-1155 About Us | -- Site Map | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Resources | Add Link | -- Contact Us | RSS Healthtalk Feed © 2006 Hawaii Health Guide all rights reserved