flying into honolulu, where to kite?

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

My family won a free trip to Hawaii and we're leaving this Saturday. The package included a house on Waimea Bay next to Pipeline and we're going to be staying there a week and wanted to know where is a good place to kite?

My wife also wants to kite there a few times but isn't the best in waves, any recommendations that would also suit her needs?

Just getting all packed and super excited!!!

Thanks for any help.

Bryan

J_Matic · Since 14 Oct 2011 158 Posts InDaHo Stoked

Head South to Kailua/Lanikai for mellow beginner-friendly beaches.

Head North past Haleiwa to Mokuleiwa for Waves and Epic clean wind.

Rip it up, have fun!

Nak · Wed Nov 20, 13 9:33 am

Well, the good news is that there might be wind! Very Happy

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=208820
http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/mokapu_point_kailua_bay

There are a number of spots you can kite on Oahu. On tradewinds, the the two big spots are Kailua and Moks.
http://localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Hawaii?site=1200012842608&static=1
http://localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Hawaii?site=1202233819714&static=1

Moks is more of a wave spot, and is more of an advanced spot. If you go there definitely watch the scene and locals for a bit before you head out. Talk to folks too. There can be thermal winds there that can raise the wind speed above the prevailing trades.

Kailua sounds like the spot for your wife for sure. Fun for you too. Smile

Head to Kailua beach park. Enter the park by the little store--it has an awesome deli!--right where the road curves right and enters the park is the kite launch. Parking will be a bitch on windy days especially, but also on any sunny day. Get there early. There are signs to help you figure out the kite launch. Stay out of the swim area marked by buoys. Very friendly, safe, beach. Head out on an upwind tack. If you go downwind at all from the launch you'll be in the "Black Hole" wind shadow and will be walking back if the wind is iffy at all. Rig on the grass and carry your rigged kite to the beach. When you're done, carry your kite back to the grass. Beach space is limited. the area near to the launch, and downwind of the launch is sandy bottomed. Out where the waves are breaking, and upwind in front of Lanikai beach, there are reefs--some very shallow. Keep your eyes open. In general, Kailua is an excellent beginner through advanced spot, but can be beset by light winds. Think Sauvie Island. If the winds allow, do at least one dawn patrol. Be out on the water before sunrise, and watch the sun come up while riding. Truly a magical experience at Kailua Bay. Often times, the wind picks up about an hour before sunset.

If the winds swing to Kona's, southerly, head to Hawaii Kai!

There are other spots too. There are a lot of reefs around Oahu, so I'd stick to places where you see others riding, and talk to the locals first.

Bring BIG kites for sure. Both of the above forecasts are generally optimistic regarding wind speed. In all of the years I've kited Oahu, I've only seen one day where I wanted anything smaller than a 10. It happens for sure, but rarely enough that the odds are way against it for visitors. Looking at the current forecast, I'd bring a Turbine--17--and a 12. (I weigh 210.)

Have fun!

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

Sweet, thanks guys. I'm super excited. Any recommendations on cool things to do there besides kite and diving?

DimE · Since 14 Jul 2005 6 Posts Russia Kook

Kite at mokuleia beach park on the north shore. Bring a 9m or smaller kite and a surf board and you will be powered there. Other main spot is Kailua, wind is light and waves arent good. Check out Goat island near Laie also. Nice waves and usually pretty windy.

Theres not much to do other than kite there. If you know someone with some good weed I'd suggest purchasing some and smoking it on a beach before kiting.

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

Snorkel Hanauma Bay, go early, calm is better
Waikiki beach is always worth a stroll
Hike to light house, near Hanuman.
Surf
Walk Kailua beach, Check out Lanikai beach, swim
Other snorkel spot Shark cove/bay
Eat at Buzz's steak house.
Bishop museum @ Honolulu
Pearl harbor tour
Punch bowl cemetery
Diamond head hike to beach,
dive with sharks, Haleiwa.
Hang and enjoy. Very Happy

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 203 Posts Stoked

Take a sailplane ride at the airport out Mokuleia beach park. I did the acrobatic ride a few years ago - loops over the surf are fun but you need a strong stomach....

bosco · Since 07 Dec 2005 4 Posts Kook

You will want to go to Kailua. Beginner friendly and good for learning. Or Barbers Point if the wind is kona.

When you are done kiting try getting some herb from one of the surf shop employees in Haliewa. Then maybe get a plate lunch at a local restaurant or volunteer to help homeless people for a day.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 898 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Lucky dog to win a free trip to the North Shore. Mokes is the main spot on that part of the island, but winter is the least windy time of the year. Do make a point of spectating the surfing action especially at places like Pipeline, Sunset, and some of the other spots along the 7 mile miracle. You will see the world's best surfers charging at those spots and it can be pretty impressive to watch. Enjoy your time there and be humble and the locals will give you some aloha.

Very Happy

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Leonard's Bakery

933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Malasadas.

N8te · Since 02 Mar 2010 4 Posts Hood River Kook

Kite at diamond head if it's blowing otherwise Kailua if you aren't good.

When you buy weed don't let the locals rip you off. They'll tell you're a howley from Idaho a mile away.

Nak · Wed Nov 20, 13 9:18 pm

If it isn't windy, there's so much to do you'll never do it all.

Snorkel Hanauma Bay.
Party all night in Waikiki.
See Pearl Harbor.
Drive from the North shore to the Windward side. Snorkel & surf along the way.
Eat sushi at Genki Sushi.
Rent a Kayak and paddle out to one of many islands.
Get a guide book & hike in to a hidden waterfall.
You MUST go listen to Henry at Dukes On Sunday. Do NOT miss this. 4:00 PM to sunset on Sundays.
Play darts at "The Shack" in Hawaii Kai.
Watch the fireworks in Waikiki on Friday. Then check out the street performers.
Have a "chocolate monkey" at the Hale Koa.
Have a burger at "Teddys Burgers" in Kailua.
Run--walk--up Koko Head.
Run around Diamond head.
Rent a BIG surfboard at Waikiki. Paddle out on one board with your wife/SO. Do not surf a single wave. Very Happy

Hit the beach at Sandy's, watch the surfers/body boarders enjoy the day. Go ahead and surf, but watch the locals carefully first.
Find a secluded beach, enjoy an intimate moment with your wife/SO well after dark. Bring a damn flashlight for getting back to the car!!
If there's a big swell, watch the surfers at Waimea Bay. Traffic will be bad, who cares? Get there early, bring food and drink.

Anybody who thinks there's nothing to do but Kite on Oahu isn't really a kiteboarder. You don't go to Oahu to kite; too often there's no wind. You go to Oahu to party in Waikiki, and to get the hell out of Waikiki which really isn't Hawaii anyway. You go to feel Island time just a little bit. You go too watch the sunrise on the windward side to satisfy your spirituality and then watch the sunset in Waikiki while you party your brains out. You go to sneak into a hotels hot tub in Waikiki, and to get thrown out of that same hot tub. You go to be Hawaiian, just a little bit Hawaiian and just for a short time. And then you remember that for the rest of your life, and just maybe you're a little bit more satisfied with your life, a little bit happier, and a little bit of a better person. And if you're really lucky--I mean really, really lucky--you find yourself on Kailua bay as the sun comes up. There's barely enough wind to ride, and you realize you don't care. You see the sun rise and the mountains turn red--just for a moment. And you realize, it was all worth it. Everything you've ever done, it's all been worth it just to get you here for this one moment. And you know, you'll never be able to explain to anyone why. But if they've ever been there, at just that moment and been out on that bay all by themselves and seen those mountains turn red, if they've ever been there you won't have to explain, because they'll know too.

N8te · Since 02 Mar 2010 4 Posts Hood River Kook

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

acai bowl at bogarts cafe for breakfast. mmmm

Nak · Wed Nov 20, 13 9:33 pm

N8te/Dan K/Proktor,

You just proved again who you are and that you've never kited a day in you life. LMFAO Very Happy

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

and DO NOT feed that troll!

N8te · Since 02 Mar 2010 4 Posts Hood River Kook