Hawaii - Facts

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  • Catastrophic wildfires ripped through Maui in August 2023, estimaged to be the largest natural disaster the state of Hawaii has seen. The blazes have killed dozens, displaced thousands of others and wiped out communities. The historic town of Lahaina on Maui, a tourism hub, historic whaling village and popular with cruisers, has been burnt to the ground and approx. 80% of the community has been destroyed.
  • Hawaii, the 50th state of the USA, is, in fact, an archipelago stretching across the North Pacific from the remote Kure and Midway atolls to the more developed and heavily populated islands in the east including Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
  • Hawaii is very different to the rest of the Pacific, mainly due to the strong American influence, also being very developed and commercial, such as the world-famous Waikiki Beach, although the old ways to survive in some places.
  • The ideal landfall and start of a cruise in Hawaiian waters is the small port of Hilo on Big Island as it is upwind of the entire archipelago. Hilo is a very pleasant place to unwind after the long passage from mainland USA and also to visit the interior of the spectacular Big Island.
  • The prevailing winds are the NE trades which offer boisterous sailing between island groups as wind and waves are exaggerated by the high mountains (venturi effect).
  • In most places in Hawaii, only part of the sightseeing can be done from the cockpit, as many of the interesting places are either inland or difficult to reach by boat. The Big Island is an excellent introduction to Hawaii with its magnificent Kilauea Volcano, orchid gardens, cane fields, and scenic coastline. A definite stop on the lee side of the island is at Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook lost his life in 1778.
  • The former whaling capital of the Pacific, Lahaina on Maui island is another popular cruising stop, as is the marine park at Hulopoe Bay on Lanai with its superb underwater scenery. Busy Honolulu with its excellent facilities has many tempting sights which should include a visit to the Bishop Museum, especially for those planning to continue their cruise to other Pacific islands, as many of the art treasures from these islands have been collected there.
  • A good place to take one’s leave from Hawaii is the northernmost island of Kauai and its spectacular Hanalei Bay, the setting for many a South Seas movie.
  • It is currently not permitted to stop at the more remote locations of Midway (or the National Wildlife Refuge or Battle of Midway National Memorial) or Wake Atoll.
  • The number of marinas in Hawaii is less than one would expect in such a developed place and, on the whole, yachting facilities are below US standards. The number of cruising yachts is not very large, except in the summer when many yachts make their way across from the mainland and facilities are stretched to the full.
  • With a few exceptions, marinas are state-owned and operated. This means that they are subject to standard regulations and also that docking fees are lower than in private marinas. Berths are assigned on a first come first served basis, but one may reserve a place either by writing a letter or telephoning in advance. The first three days are no longer free for visitors. Yachts registered to the state of Hawaii are eligible for the lower residents rate at marinas and moorings. Some yacht clubs also have docking facilities for visitors.
  • Major repair work and services, such as hauling out and hull, engine and sail repair, are available only at Honokohau Harbour on Hawaii (Big Island), at Kewalo Basin, Keehi Lagoon and at Ala Wai Boat Harbour in Honolulu on Oahu Island. Smaller repairs can be made at Hilo, Lahaina, and Nawiliwili.
  • Marine supplies in the main yachting centers are good and there are several chandleries with a wide selection, including charts. Whatever is not available locally will be ordered from the mainland and air freighted to Hawaii in 48 to 72 hours.
  • Provisioning is good everywhere and Hawaii is a good place to victual the boat, especially if planning to cruise the outer islands of Micronesia or the South Pacific. However, the prices are 25 percent higher than on the mainland so all non-perishable stores should be bought before leaving the USA.

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Hawaii was last updated 3 months ago.

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  1. February 9, 2023 at 9:38 AM
    michell says:

    Effective February 14, 2023, and until further notice, the DOBOR Kauai District Office and Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor Office will have limited hours of 7:45am to 1:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  2. June 13, 2018 at 3:09 AM
    Data Entry says:

    It is possible to clear in at Ko’Olina Marina (Barber’s Point) on Oahu. Officers came from Honolulu to board us and clear us in within 2 hours of arrival on both of our visits (April & June 2018).

    We were required to pay for a local contractor to dispose of all garbage deemed “foreign” by the Agriculture clearance agent when arriving from overseas – the cost of this was VERY expensive: $150 + $90/bag, max bag weight 20lbs.

    We were advised that the only trash that could be guaranteed not to be deemed “foreign” and require expensive sterilization/incineration was clean beverage containers suitable for recycling that no animal or vegetable products had ever touched – i.e. soda and beer cans, water bottles, etc.

    Even clean washed empty cans, glass jars (pickles, jam, etc) and clean plastic wrappers were required to be incinerated.

  3. August 13, 2017 at 9:02 PM
    Data Entry says:

    It is not possible to haul out in Ala Wai. Keehi Marine Center (Honolulu) on Oahu and Ko Olina (Barbers Point Harbour) offer haul outs, Keehi is cheaper.

    If you need a slip, get one at the Yacht Club, better facilities and security patrols constantly.

  4. October 7, 2013 at 12:05 PM
    Data Entry says:

    Mike Fossl reports that it is no longer possible to clear in at Nawiliwili / Port Allen.

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