May 2014: Maui and Kauai

[cbouza3]

I tried skimming and searching this forum and found one topic within the past few years here discussing Maui in January:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22251


Maui:
Staying in Lahaina.
Surfers:
Me : 33yo, 10 sessions as of today, will have hopefully many more by May 2014. Currently can get to feet on my 10ft longboard probably 50% of the time. Can gain control probably 10%. Happy to get better on the longboard and stay on a longboard for my surfing career. I personally am interested in the glide rather than ripping.

Girlfriend: 33yo, probably 4 sessions. Hasn't had a controlled ride yet but isn't as obsessed with getting there as I am, or obsessed with surfing in general. Hopefully she gets the bug in the Spring. Happy to take another lesson most likely unless I can talk her into 5 days of M&M Surf School at Seal Beach before the trip.

My buddy: 35 yo maie Aussie, hasn't surfed in over 5 years. Wants to get a lesson.


I took my first surf lesson ever in Kihei in April 2012. Would this be another good place to get my buddy a lesson? As of now I don't expect I will get that much better, and will be happy just to be with the group and surfing even if my skills improve. Are there any other breaks that stand out as really good for beginners on the West side/near Lahaina? I fell in love with the idea of surfing while watching the rippers at Honolua Bay. We will most definitely not be surfing there but will hopefully get there to try and push the obsession onto my girlfriend.

Kauai:
Surfers: Me/Girlfriend
Planning on staying in Poipu, but open to staying elsewhere. What are the good beginner breaks on Kauai? I know a bit less about the surf there.

Thanks for sharing any ideas/experiences you all might have.

[Aqualife]

Hi,
I wrote most of the stuff on Maui in that link you posted, so I am not going to repear myself. I think anything south of Lahaina is good to learn in January.

On Kauai - Poipu is pretty but doesn't really break in January much at all. Not too many beginner breaks south side near Poipu. You could base yourself in and around Kapaha and then surf east coast beaches or stay in Princeville (condo city) up north or right in Hanalei. The North Shore of Kauai has got lots of inside reef reforms that you can surf on a big swell, also Hanalei beach break isn't too bad and Waikaloa and also further east and west. Just don't go anywhere on the outside reefs. Kauai is pretty well patrolled by the locals, they will tell you to go right in anyway if you are in over your head.

Kauai is beautiful but totally different from Maui, very localised surf scene, very small, only 60,000 people live on Kauai, not that many travelling surfers go there. Maui has got much more infrastructure and many more longboard/beginner breaks. Kauai is better for advanced surfers, people into quiet and peace, hiking, nature and the more intrepid and advanced surfer. By all means go, but it's comparing Waikiki to say Hilo.
Enjoy.

[oldmansurfer]

On Kauai Wailua beach is often good for beginners and lessons are offered there. Kalapaki beach is also often good for beginners although it's a reef break and lessons are offered there. Hanalei has some nice inside sandbars that are often good and lessons are offered there. If it's not breaking really nice and bigger those places have minimal hassles and are frequented by beginners. If you take lessons then for sure no hassles. But there's some really great surf at those spots at times and if it is really great and you are not in a lesson then you may run into some people who don't appreciate you. By Poipu there is the inside section of PKs that might be good for beginners if there aren't too many other people there and the surf isn't too big.

[cbouza3]

Thanks everyone. I should be set to go. Appreciate the info.

[oldmansurfer]

here is a Hanalei surf cam link http://www.balihai.com/Blog/kauai-hd-webcam/

[hgjames]

May is one of the best months to surf Hanalei, especially for beginner and novice surfers. It's the beginning of the summer season but there are still some smaller winter swells rolling through, and with all the breaks in the bay there is something for everyone. The beginner breaks on Kauai are very friendly, so no need to worry about a local scene.

But for a beginner I would only recommend Poipu, Kalapaki and Hanalei, and possibly Kahili on the north shore during the summer. The east side spots like Wailua and Kealia are messy (wind swells) and riddled with strong currents. PKs in Poipu is a nice spot but it's a reef break and honestly you don't have enough experience for reef breaks yet

Here is surf cam that shows PKs. It gives an idea of what's up on the south shore. It will be flat now, but around May things will start to improve.

http://www.alohasurfcam.com/

[cbouza3]

Even more good info. We ended up booking a place in Hanalei, so I'm sure I'll stick around there. Found time to get a quick trip into Oahu in a month so I'll get a small taste before May.

Thanks again everyone.

[hgjames]

You're going to love it. My ultimate surf vacation would be to spend April and May in Hanalei. I don't know what training you do but when I haven't surfed in a while I start doing stretches and training a month ahead of time so that my back/neck/shoulders don't die on day 1 when I hit the surf again.

[billie_morini]

Dear cbouza3,
I've worked and/or lived on 4 of the islands in HI. HI is a wonderfully storied land that embodies the Aloha Spirit. Please be respectful and honor the land. Please do not be rude or impatient. Please don't act like a hoale or like the fat, entitled mainlanders that have invaded Maui. You will see and enjoy more, if you abide by these simple do's and don't's.
Mahola,
billie

[cbouza3]

No sarcasm intended at all in the following post, so please do not read it that way:

Interesting point Billie. I do carry myself in a respectful way when previously living abroad, traveling on the mainland, internationally, and my previous visits to Oahu, Maui (my favorite place on Earth) and the Big Island. I was disappointed to see reefs being manhandled while snorkeling and diving.

Did you (understandably) take this as an opportunity to make a forum member (myself and/or others) aware of the Aloha Spirit or conversely, did you read something in my posts that eluded to my being a potentially ignorant traveller? I would like to before self aware if it was the latter situation. Thanks.

[billie_morini]

Dear cbouza3,

You are going to have a wonderful time again in this beautiful land. I did not read anything concerning in your posts. I was at work and attempting to quickly convey my love for this land, as well as to all, what is and is not appreciated there. I did not know you have been to this beautiful land before and hold it sacred (too).

My wife and I were married on the shore in Maalaea, Maui, more than 25 years ago. We have many wonderful experiences working with local business and a community college and exploring the wonderful nature in land and in sea on Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.

Here is a Maui locals' tip: Go to Tasty Crust restaurant at 1770 Mill Street, Wailuku, for the largest pancakes you may have ever eaten. You may very well be the only non-locals when you arrive. So, brace yourself and bring your patience. Then, enjoy because the food is Ono!

Here is another Maui tip, especially because it is Winter: take a whale watching tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation (http://www.pacificwhale.org/). This fabulous organization is dedicated to preserving the largest mammals on earth. Their tours are highly educational. They will often stop the motors, drop hydrophones, and pipe whale singing throughout the ship's speakers! We took my wife's Mother on this adventure in December 2003/January 2004, and saw so many whales (babies, too!) that we almost got tired of looking at them.

If you happen across any local fisherman casting nets in freshwater streams in the lowland forests in Kauai, they are catching a type of shrimp. I have not seen this done since about 1989/1990, and I do not know if there are any more of this shrimp remaining. It was certainly something new for me.

If you fly into Kauai, you'll land in Līhuʻe. Be sure to drive about 6 miles north to the village of Kapaʻa. Then see about getting some of the freshest coconuts possible because you'll be among plantations in the Coconut Coast. Don't be surprised if you see chickens roaming about in Kapa'a. They are refugees from the original Polynesian settlers. The chickens are wild and easily have a population of many thousands. Sometimes you'll even encounter them in the lowland forests near Kapa'a and Lihu'e.

Mohalo!
billie

[oldmansurfer]

well most of the chickens are actually descendants of escapees from chicken farms and fighting chicken breeders after the last couple of hurricanes we have had. The thing about locals is they feel displaced by all the new people. So if you want to get along with them don't cause them any problems and give them room. If they don't give you the stink eye or tell you to get out of the water you are doing well However there are a few newbie friendly areas depending on the surf. If high school is in session then week days before school gets out will be better and early morning "dawn patrol" sessions will be less crowded. Since you will be staying in Hanalei if there is a swell you may be able to go to Pine trees or the bowl early in the morning before the crowds. Plan on early morning sessions there then go travel around and see our beautiful island. I hear the crowd gets worse after 9 am. Hopefully the weather will be good in May.

[scsurf]

If you're planning to rent boards I recommend TAMBA surf co in Kapaa. They always hook me up when I visit Kauai.