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MW
Since 09 Jan 2006
186 Posts
Hood River, Oregon
Stoked
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 Sat Apr 18, 09 1:49 pm Molokai Kauai Kiteboarding |
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| I am planning a trip to Molokai and Kauai this year and looking for beta on best time of year and locations |
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landfilllonnie
Since 01 Mar 2008
43 Posts
Lincoln City, Or
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| Sat Apr 18, 09 5:57 pm |
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I go to Kauai every year in February...not a good time of the year for kiting. The winds are light, very hard to predict, and you kinda need to be there when they do go off.
I have kited there though, and I know several spots. However, the best way to do it would be to take some screen shots and send them in an email to you.
If you pm me your email address, I would be happy to do it.
I have no personal experience with Molokai, but I read an article on it, and it sounds like I would tread very lightly. It sounds like the locals are much more protective of their island. |
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apctjb
Since 19 Aug 2007
435 Posts
Obsessed
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| Sat Apr 18, 09 6:54 pm |
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Molokai is wonderful if you like laid back old hawaii feeling. There is only 1 traffic light on the entire island.
The east end is windy when the trades are blowing. I have windsurfed there but kiting would be even better as there is a barrier reef and the water is shallow on the inside. Not many big beaches to launch from but enough.
West end gets Kona winds in the summer and has the biggest beach in all of Hawaii. I heard that people have kited from the west end to Oahu (70 miles...)
Respect the locals |
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tautologies
Since 24 Aug 2006
602 Posts
Oahu
Addicted
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| Sat Apr 18, 09 8:53 pm |
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| apctjb wrote: | Molokai is wonderful if you like laid back old hawaii feeling. There is only 1 traffic light on the entire island.
The east end is windy when the trades are blowing. I have windsurfed there but kiting would be even better as there is a barrier reef and the water is shallow on the inside. Not many big beaches to launch from but enough.
West end gets Kona winds in the summer and has the biggest beach in all of Hawaii. I heard that people have kited from the west end to Oahu (70 miles...)
Respect the locals |
a BIG FYI about Molokai.
Most people are very friendly, and they'll be nice to you until someone else shoots your kite out of the air. There is a lot of activism on the island and they are protective of their turf.
So:
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Do not go way north east on the island, they are super protective of their reef / life on the reef and protected reef. I cannot remember which of the milemarkers, but do not go past milemarker I think it is 10...if possible just stay around the Molokai Hotel (it is nice there). The wind turns on at about 11.30, and it'll be windy for a while. When you go out stay away from anyone in the water. You can launch straight from their back yard. It will not work too well on low tide.
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There are just two kiters on the island, one is super nice..the other is...hm...somewhat strange. What ever you do he'll go off on you. It is a super small island they'll know you are there. 
Kauai season is like Oahu, there isn't a set season, the wind blows when it blows. Ask about the rules they have set there and do not go out at places wher no one else is kiting The reason is that like on Oahu, there are certain rules that are made to keep the peace..they are not written down.
Just ask around. Smile a lot and go out where others are. (Wailua, Kapa'a)... |
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MW
Since 09 Jan 2006
186 Posts
Hood River, Oregon
Stoked
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| Sun Apr 19, 09 8:42 am |
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| Thanks for the information. I have been to Molokai and surfed with the locals before, and actually know a few of them, but just didn't have an idea about kiting there. I always respect Hawaiian locals. I have been to Maui and Oahu several times but just wanted some beta on Molokai and Kauai. If you have any names of people I could contact about it, let me know. |
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Navanod
Since 20 Feb 2007
207 Posts
Beaverton
Stoked
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| Mon Apr 20, 09 10:15 am |
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| I'm currently in Kauai... no wind for the past few days. It was good when I first got here and then shut down. The most popular spots are Fiji beach (Kapa'a), Anini Beach (flat water on the north side before Princeville), and Tunnels (Surf riding on the outer side of a cresent reef... definately for advanced surf rider). Like others have said the wind blows when it blows here... pretty unpredictable. |
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tautologies
Since 24 Aug 2006
602 Posts
Oahu
Addicted
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| Mon Apr 20, 09 11:55 am |
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| Navanod wrote: | | I'm currently in Kauai... no wind for the past few days. It was good when I first got here and then shut down. The most popular spots are Fiji beach (Kapa'a), Anini Beach (flat water on the north side before Princeville), and Tunnels (Surf riding on the outer side of a cresent reef... definately for advanced surf rider). Like others have said the wind blows when it blows here... pretty unpredictable. |
Note that there is a little keiki (kids) beach right downwind..and then a wall down wind of that in Kapa'a, so know you can get upwind before going out there.
Also try Wailua..you'll see kites there...I had an awesome session there...if you're willing to risk it a little...even if it looks fairly calm on the beach, you can go about 1-1.5 mile out and down wind, the wind will hit a little harder..there's a nice reef break out there...by the time I had been there for about 2 hours, the wind came back and I could go upwind in the dead spot and back to the beach. Just make sure you have good agreements with people on shore since the next stop is Anchorage.
Be careful at Anini, there is a lot of snorkelers there. It will not work on east winds...
Kauai is a nice island for sure. |
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