Sailing in Hawaii

[catboat]

I've seen lots of posts about sailing to Hawaii, but I'm curious about the sailing once you are in Hawaii. We have some friends who want us to move there. I'd love to here from anyone who lives, or has spent extended periods of time in Hawaii. (related to sailing...)
Thanks!
Peggy

[Bash]

Sailing between islands can be far more challenging than in places like the Virgin Islands. Many anchorages are not usable year round. Many of the better year-round anchorages charge a fee and are restricted to 90-day use. The water around most islands tend to be a lot more about lava than sand, and there are a lot of places where you might want to dive where anchoring is restricted in order to protect the coral. You'll find mooring buoys in such places, but you can't spend the night on them.

All in all, Hawaii is not the cruiser's paradise you might expect it to be.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Peggy,
Bash is right.
While Hawaii could be the sailing capital of the world, the legislative bodies that be don't like boaters and the state run marinas are the pits. Just now moorings and slips are getting a substantial fee increase and a requirement for $300,000 insurance. 15 year waiting list in the Ala Wai (Honolulu). The fee increase will go into the general fund and never reach the marinas.
Therefore, if you want to sail in Hawaii the best and cheapest is buying a trailerable. Most trailerables are not suitable for channel crossings (Island to island) in anything but the best conditions.
If you are military or retired military there might be a marina slip available.
Sailing between my area, Hilo Bay, and anywhere else where there is a good anchorage or slip is about 100 miles through some pretty rough waters.
Check the search engine listed below my signature for more Hawaii information and discussion.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[SkiprJohn]

Sailing interisland is a challange and finding anchorages is doable. There are very few marinas and slips but anchorage areas can be found. The normal trade winds coming through the major channels from the NE reach 20-25 knots on a normal day. Once you've found an anchorage the swimming and snorkeling is great. Diving and surfing is great and a the weather normally is beautiful.
Good luck in your decision.
regards,

[SkiprJohn]

Our club's newsletter is at www.hilo-sailing.org and there is at least one interisland sail written up in the last couple of months.
regards

[Beverly Stayart]

Thanks for sharing this important info.

[kiapa]

sure, sailing in hawaii is tougher than many mainland or caribbean destinations... but it's great preparation for the south pacific or beyond, and it's beautiful.

april thru september (especially memorial day thru labor day) is best window, as many of the beautiful north shore anchorages are accessible. october thru march, one should stick with developed marinas & harbors.

obviously, due to brisk trades... it's way better to go east to west, Hilo to Lihue, if you want to cover any distance at all. Hilo is great. the Kona coast is great. Lahaina is OK. Honolua bay is spectacular (and surf dependent). Kalaupapa is priceless (and very wx dependent). The south shore of Molokai has a few gunkholing options. Kaneohe bay is all weather, a superb destination. There are enough options near Honolulu, that you can always find a berth or secure anchorage. Ko Olina is a superb marina on SW Oahu, with terrific haulout options. Hanalei bay, in season, is the best. And finally, Nawiliwili is an all weather, year round harbor with room visitors.

in general, all the yacht clubs are welcoming of anyone who sails to hawaii... and can be a great resource. good sailing...

[highseas]

Can someone tell what the anchoring,moorage options there are in Hilo.Also any info. not mentioned by kiapa would be appreciated.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha High Seas,
Hilo mooring is in Reeds Bay. Temporary mooring can be had in Radio Bay. You put down and maintain your own mooring in Reeds Bay and right now the cost is $1 a foot a month, however, there is state pressure to raise the fee by 4 times and that may become effective soon. There is also a new rule in effect that requires $300,000 liability insurance naming the state as additional insured.
To get the real scoop call the DLNR - Boating folks at 933-0414 and the manager at 329-4997 for Reeds Bay and the Transportation folks at 933-8850 for Radio Bay. The area code is 808.
For more discussion about Hawaii use the search engine after my signature.
regards,

[Jmolan]

I would like to sail my 34' Trimaran over in the spring and haul it out and leave it on the hard untill late summer. Anyone have any tips on if this is realistic, or is it too much to expect that I could pull this off? Thanks Ahead.

[SkiprJohn]

Jmolan,
There is Gentry's Kona Marine in Honokahou (near Kona) that has dry storage. It is the only outfit on the Island of Hawaii that does that sort of thing. I think there is a waiting list. Their number is 808-329-7896. Call now to see what would be available. Ask them for numbers of other places on other islands that might help you.
regards,

[Jmolan]

SkiprJohn, Thanks so much I will give them a call. I have tried asking before and got no response, so this tells me it is not readily available.

As a little aside, this is what I am used to. San Carlos Mexico, where they haul and store 600 to 800 boats a year! When I first saw the storage yard, I thought it was another harbor. I store my 34' Trimaran on our own trailor. It gets hauled and splashed by capable crew driving Cat machines

[SkiprJohn]

I certainly wish Hawaii would catch up to Mexico but the government just does not like boaters. Like I've said in many threads this could be the sailing capitol/capital of the world. They just don't get it.
regards,

[kiapa]

the yard at Ko'olina is also a haulout & store option. it's on SW corner of oahu. we've hauled & painted there. the setup might be one of the best between the mainland and new zealand.