From: lang@wharfin.mit.edu
Subject: Re: Any info on Maui?
Organization: Massachvsetts Institvte of Technology
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 16:34:44 GMT

In article <1992Nov11.192735.28023@CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU>, parabosc@eclipse.Stanford.EDU (Stefano Paraboschi) writes:
> Hi windsurfers,
> I will spend my holidays in Maui (I will arrive by December 14th and
> leave on January 12th or later). I have never been there and I find it
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> Piero fraternali
> 
> E-mail: fraterna@ipmel2.elet.polimi.it
Hi Piero,

Got some good news/bad news. December and January can see some rather calm
weather in the latitudes around the Hawaiian Islands. I know this because I
have been there in December, and there was _NO_ wind.

This is not all bad news. If it is very calm, the snorkeling is excellent. I
suggest taking one of the charter boats from Lahaina or Kihei (Kihei is
preferred because it is closer) out to Molokini. There is some really awesome
snorkeling there.

The dead wind of the winter months also means Kona winds. These generally blow
nearly opposite from the trade winds, due to large offshore storms.
Occasionally, these storms blow in, and it rains like crazy! But, the advantage
to this situation is that the storms produce _BIG_ waves. Thus, December/
January is awesome for regular surfers.

Beaches for windsurfing: Kanaha Beach Park. It's near the airport in Kahalui.
Great on-shore, some wave jumping out about 1 km at the reef. All levels can
sail here, but you should be able to waterstart if you head to the reef.
Sprecklesville. Off road to Hana (route 360) about 5 km from Kahalui, not
marked, look for 4-wheel drive vehicles (with winsurf equipment on them)
entering road from the ocean side, conditions there are a bit more challenging
than Kanaha because the reef is very close to the shore. You should be an
expert or very good intermediate to windsurf here. Hookipa. Awesome waves
(right to left break, 10 to 12 foot), on-shore wind and _very_ dangerous cross
rip. Do not attempt to windsurf here unless you are a _real_ expert. It's a
great place to watch if your not up to the conditions. Other noteworthy
locations are Kihei (only good if the Kona wind blows, and there are a lot of
coral head _very_ close to the surface, not for beginners.) Lahaina, lame is
the only way to describe it...light offshore breeze, places that rent send out
a rescue boat if you go more that a few hundred meters from shore.

There are a bunch of equipment rental places near the airport, they can fill
you in on other locations. Beware, pay attention to signs that say "swimming
only" or "surfers only" or "fishing only". They mean it, and there has been a
lot of tension between locals and visitors over "rights" regarding the shore in
Maui. Respect the local laws.

Get your hands on one of the Fodor's type travel guides and check out some
tourist type activities while you are there...the road to Hana is really
beautiful!

Have a good trip.
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