Going Postal On The Coastal 2012

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Kailua is on Oahu and is an easy launch. It's a pristine beach with a perfect launching area. They recently avoided a ban of all commercial activity at this location, so if you go make sure you talk to a local about where you can kite and where you can't.

Launching at the Event Site in Da Hood is easy compared to Kanaha. Specifically Ka'a, or ProBeach is a really big shadow and can Led Zepplin any kiter. Be Aware...

My strategy for kiting this place was to observe the people who know what their doing with binoculars for about an hour. This is also a great way to check out the local beach going wildlife, lol. The wind shadow is due to the NE wind shifting more East and being disrupted by the upper part of Kanaha Beach Park( all windsurfing area, no kites allowed.)
There are basically 3 major areas where kites are allowed to launch and they are all in the wind shadow. The teaching spot is actually in the worst part of the shadow and many of the instructors walk their client's up the beach to more solid wind before having them body drag or start board work. It's cool to watch them teach as they use paddle boards to trail their students while they work on body drags, or upwind board superman, or riding.
Yesterday was another solid 8 meter day, but if you aren't careful you may be tempted to rig a 10mtr. just to avoid the wind shadow. The big trick is to just get your kite up and run straight out to the wind line. Problem is that there are quite a few kites in the way and you have to time it perfectly.

Most people here have somebody launch them, but when they come in they self land. This is always puzzling to me as it's hard on your kite and mishaps occur more frequently. It's a bit sketch to have somebody pound their kite above you in gusty 20 mph wind. The gusty conditions make it tough to do a nice mellow self landing.

So, here is one of several Turdles I've seen at Kanaha. LOL, their turds are really big and look like massive tootsie rolls, but there not.

The best snorkeling is West Maui. Pretty much any beach area with some lava points can and will have awesome fish. Oahu is in my opinion is a better place for swimming, snorkeling and overall beach beauty. It's less windy so bring your biggest kites.
Maui is windy as hell and you'll need your small kites, but it's more laid back feeling kind of small townish.

Well, time to go SUP'n,
Aloha Hui Ho's,
R
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bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

This really nice local guy was SUP's with his dog on the tip of his board. The Dog surf's with him on an regular basis.

Some dog's fetch balls this dog chases turtles. His owner told me that his dog was surround by a pod of dolphin's at Makena beach last winter.

Fun stuff,

Aloha Hui Ho's,
R [img]