The sailor can judge by watching surf. This area becomes dangerous with winds from the southeast clockwise to north. Seas become choppy and hard to navigate. With winds from the northeast to east this area is very calm. South winds in excess of 25 miles per hour create rough conditions.
West winds create a confused choppy sea for the first few hours.
There is no safe anchorage from - Oahu to Kahului, Maui, under these conditions. With northeast to southeast winds this area is calm and waters inshore are ideal for anchorage. With strong north winds, swells and sometimes breakers prevail off Laau Point. This condition is more dangerous for small boats. Operators should proceed a good distance south of Laau Point.