maui

mkiteboard · Since 23 Oct 2007 17 Posts

i was wondering where the best kite spot in west maui is.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Well, I don;t know what the best spot is. When I was there, the beaches really didn;t have much wind at all so we jumped of a cliff...we weren't reall worried about getting back as we did the maui molokai crossing....I was more worried about bleeding profusely from a cut in my foot as we rode across.

a.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Kihei is a pretty big spot, but kind of a tough launch and real gusty. If you catch a Kona wind day then its real nice there. Also seen people launch just south of Lahaina

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

hokipa big waves and easy lanch!! its sick!

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

iwhen we were there in sept of this year, kihie was going off when kanaha was light. the wind is a bit gusty at kihie, if you look at the island you can see why: the wind whips across the island between the mountains and kind of eddies as it travels south along the west coast. but, if you've kited the gorge the gusts in maui are simple child's play.

the best beach was probably kanaha, wide and sandy and although light on the inside, great little kickers out on the reef. cool scene. the launch at kihie is sketch with a lot of shadow from palm trees.

hooikipa: looked pretty scary to me bra. bring you're A game.

jimmi

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

As a long time Gorge kiter who now lives in Maui I can tell you that Maui defines gusty kiting. When it goes east here, it is freaking hell and a northerly day at Rufus is relatively sane.

DO NOT KITE HOOIKIPA, and both launching and landing are not allowed at the beach park... Unless it is completely empty of both surfers and windsurfers. Lanes and down to Kuau are where the kiters have been relegated. Better come with the A plus game as Jimmi mentioned as there is no help to be had if you mess up.

The best kiting beaches are just east of Kanaha (three decent launches), on the south shore from the Maui Sunset (there are others, but more difficult to find and explain), and way way over in West Maui there are possibilities from a few of the Hotel beaches. But those take a very northerly day for the wind to wrap around. Kona winds are best kited in Keihi. Although we did get out at Lanes on the last Kona, but if your not up for it... you could end up in Alaska if something goes wrong. After coming in from our session, we watched a visiting kiter drifing out to sea as the wind died. The lifeguards at Hooikipa were getting quite the laugh and waited about half an hour before calling the Coast Guard...

My advice would be to wait until spring (March/April) before heading over. Right now the winds have been fickle and the weather pretty cloudy and rainy.

Bams

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jan 01, 08 4:26 pm

great info Bam! Always nice to have local input to help prevent the rumor that Gorge kiters are boobs. Very Happy

NateDogg · Tue Jan 01, 08 5:56 pm

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed