Cruising Hawaii

[savoir]

Originally Posted by collisionatsea

All of this having been said against cruising in Hawaii, (and all of it true) I do have to say that there is nothing quite like being moored at the Ala Wai, especially on 800 row by the breakwater, with a view of Diamond Head and Waikiki on one hand, and Magic Island on the other, the iconic rainbow of Hilton'w tower (think Hawaii Five-O, old school). The melting pot of Honolulu offers a wide variety of people and cultures, the ease of walking to the or taking the bus, the entertainment provided by local surfers, fishermen, tourists snapping photos of the sunset and weddings on the beach, -- and the Hawaiians partying in the parking lot, plunking on ukuleles or sometimes electric guitars and drums -- is always interesting, always Hawaii. In many ways it IS paradise.

The mooring fees are still inexpensive (cheap actually, although some of the docks are condemned) but the Hawaii Yacht Club is friendly and right there in the harbor, as others have pointed out. The HYC has a voyagers and cruisers society that promotes interisland sailing (which is not easy as anchorages are in short supply, as are slips). They are open to everyone, from beginners to circumnavigators, and if you don't own a boat you can go along as crew on someone else's. And then there are the Friday night races... In spite of the lack of facilities and the hurdles put up by the state, the people themselves are very kind here, if you show aloha you will receive it in kind, and more.

After doing some interisland sailing ourselves, followed by our sail to French Polynesia in 2000, Topaz, our trusty Luders 36, is now our Waikiki waterfront condo. We'll enjoy our weekends on her until we find the adventurous person or couple who wants to buy Topaz and live the dream, or sail her away.

Did they ever connect water and electricity to 800 row ?