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Why do we have Zones and Rules? Maui has a wonderful resource of coastal areas and beaches that are the
gateway to the ocean, The Hawaiian culture respected the Aina (land) and the
Kai (ocean). they knew that the two were linked and needed the stewardship
of the people. There has been a system of rules (Kapu) that have governed
the use of these resources, and to protect the resources from overuse. For
kiteboarders, access to beaches and waters is a privilege, and we must be
aware that we share the resource with many other beach users and water
users. There are many rules that govern our use of these areas. Some are
federal laws, state statutes, county ordinances, and environmental
restrictions, and agreements with other user groups. These rules ensure that
the rights of others are protected, and that the resources themselves are
well managed and protected too. Please do your part to be informed of the
regulations, laws, and agreements that exist on our island, and then you will be
able to participate in the sport of kiteboarding in a responsible and
respectful manner.
Hotlines: DLNR Enforcement: (808) 643-DLNR Police
Emergency 9-1-1
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Controlled Airspace USA airspace around a 5 mile radius of international airports is controlled
by the Federal Aviation Administration. For us, on Maui, 5 miles is a very large area. It stretches from
Waiehu to Kuau, with the Kahului airport tower as the focal point of
measure. Other areas of Maui like Kihei (Ohukai) and Napili (S-turns) may
not be subject to the same FAA restrictions on the boundary of Kahului
airport, but caution must be practiced at all times in these high traffic
areas anyway. All kite flyers - within controlled airspace, are subject to
Federal Aviation Regulations. One FAR
(Federal Aviation Regulation), namely "(FAR) 101",
specifically addresses the operation of kites in controlled airspace.
FAR101 effectively prohibits all kitesurfing within five miles of any major
Airport in the US. |
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FAA WAIVER To allow Kitesurfing within the Five mile controlled airspace, a
special FAA "waiver" has been issued to the kiteboarding association. That imposes
specific restrictions on kitesurfing activities. The existence of the FAA's waiver
allows kiteboarding to continue in these areas. Every two years the waiver
is renewed, and the FAA keeps a close eye on the kiteboarding activities.
There are specific "waiver restrictions" that need to be complied with
in order for us to maintain the waiver, and maintain our access to the north
shore. Among the waiver restrictions is the prohibition of kitesurfing
within the runway's flight path corridor. The corridor is an extension of
the runway, that encompasses the flight path of aircraft after take-off. For
the safety of aircraft, people and property, this corridor is kept clear of
all kites, at all times. |
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DLNR Restrictions Generally
all state beaches are public. This applies to the area up to the high water
mark or vegetation line. However access to the beach is often blocked by
private land. Many ocean access ways and right of ways are marked on maps or
signposted. Take care that you do not trespass on private land when
accessing the beach. There are also other restrictions to the types of
activity and use at these beaches. The state
has a number of restrictions regarding ocean recreation, relating to types
of approved use, areas and times. Every activity has to co-exist together
within the framework of the state's rules. DLNR officers will enforce the
state and federal rules if required to. Hotlines: DLNR Enforcement: (808) 643-DLNR |
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County & Parks Dept They
have yet another set of rules governing access times and usage restrictions
for county beaches, parks and county controlled areas.
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County lifeguards have jurisdiction over water
safety. They have the final word in many cases. They can ask you to leave
the water or close the entire beach if safety is an issue. They can perform
water rescues and searches. To contact the lifeguards in an emergency, Call
9-1-1. |
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Park Rangers are relatively new, and have the power
to report problems, confiscate equipment, give citations relating to Parks and County related matters. |
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Maui Police Dept (MPD) They
have public safety as their major concern. In the case of criminal activity,
thefts, violence, or disorderly conduct, they are the ones who will
intervene. Police
Emergency 9-1-1 |
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Ka'a Point (Pro Beach),
Sign at Ka'a.
This beach is perhaps the best known kiteboarding beach in the world.
Featured in many kiteboarding magazines and videos. the protected cove
allows the riders to come close to the beach, to give photographers a close
view of the action. Ka'a point has flat water close to shore, choppy water
in the middle area, and some nice kickers and jumping waves just off the
point. Just upwind is "Boneyards" with a shallow coral reef that
creates a
great waveriding area when the swell comes up. In winter the waves here can
be massive and the outer reef will be virtually impassable, with 20 foot
plus walls of whitewater. There are some submerged rocks and
hazards that riders should be aware of. Especially at low tide. (Jumping the
rocks here is strictly forbidden). Because of the limited parking, kiters
are asked to park with consideration of others. Also when setting up, keep
your kites close to the tree line, in the wind shadow of the trees. then set
up your lines to the downwind side of the kite, so that they are out of the
way until you are ready to launch. The shape of the beach allows only one
kite to launch safely at a time. So wait for your turn. Get someone to
assist you with the launch. You should walk out as far as you can to the
right, to get your kite into the wind-line. When riding, the incoming rider
setting up for a trick, has the right of way, so outgoing riders should
steer downwind of incoming riders. This is not the place to mess up and drop
your kite in the path of all the pros. Photo shoots often staged here, so
please give the riders and photographers some room to work! (That is how
they earn their living). Also watch out for the rocks at Ka'a Point they
seem to have a kite magnet. There have been many good sessions gone bad,
when kiters got too close to these rocks. If you get hooked up on the rocks,
you had better hope that you have some good friends to scramble out there
and help you get unstuck. Here is a picture of an instructor getting his
student off the rocks, this guy usually just drops off his students and
drives downwind to pick them up. (Good luck with that one). I guess he
forgot to tell his student not to crash into the big rocky headland he was
attempting to navigate around. |
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NASKA (Action Beach) Just downwind from Ka'a Point is "Action Beach",
This launch is home to kite schools and beginner and intermediate kiters.
The wide sandy
area is the launch area, and not a good place to set up your
picnic blanket and umbrella. If you want to put your family in the shade
under the trees that is best. Trees act like an umbrella of safety from
falling kites. The launch gets quite busy around noon, than start s to thin
out in the afternoons. The launch here looks easier than it really is. Check
out how the locals launch. Do not bring your kite directly overhead, because
you will stall it out. The upwind part of the beach is in the shadow of Ka'a
point, so the wind can be very turbulent. To
launch here, keep the kite low on the water side (right) and start moving
immediately towards the water. You will see the locals running sideways to
the water. Do not stand there wondering which way your kite is going to
fall. If you start running sideways you will create some apparent wind and
keeps the kite in the air long enough to get safely into the water. once in
the water, drag away from shore before getting on your board. The launch is
not too difficult when the wind is side-on like in a true north-easter, but
if the wind turns more east, the wind gets gusty and holey, and makes
launching very challenging.
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Kite Beach, Ka'a Point &
NASKA:
 Kitebeach
consists of Pro-beach and Action Beach. The two beaches combined are
referred to as "Kite Beach". The Pro Beach is accessed
by driving to Ka'a point, there is a metal sign marking the entrance to Ka'a
Point close to the storm water culvert and is just to the east of the road
bridge. You will see a break in the metal Armco fence, and will have to make
tight turn into the entrance. The entrance now has two sets of yellow gates.
The road is very bumpy dirt road. You can cross over the berm where the
footpath crosses the parking lot, and you will be able to park close to the
water. There is a fenced parking area with
space for about 30 cars. please
park considerately. Ka'a point is a favorite area for local fishermen. and
they will often park toward the far end of the parking area. the parking
area is shaded by trees and has picnic tables. Please be careful when
setting up your gear. Do not interfere with the activities of the fishermen.
if they are there, you move further down to launch. It is bad form to ask a
fisherman to move, once he has found his spot. If you do mess up a fishing
line it is customary to offer a cash compensation for the damaged lines and
lost tackle, usually about 20bucks. Do not get into any confrontation and be
the first to apologize should any problem occur. Ka'a point is also a
swimming area for children. families will often fish, camp and swim at the
same time. Stay clear of them. There is a "Loko i'a" (Hawaiian fish
pond) located at the point. You should not kiteboard through there, because
it is dangerous to you and others and it is disrespectful to the Hawaiians.
Do not move any rocks associated with the fish pond (loko
i'a) structure or any other Hawaiian artifacts. |
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Canoe Beach (at Kanaha) (CONTESTS
ONLY)
Canoe
Beach at lowers is upwind of "Old hale" and campground. It has the
new yellow lifeguard tower and the Canoe Hale Wa'a. Just opposite the lifeguard
depot, and public restrooms. There are showers here and a
barbeques and volley ball courts. This area is mainly used by the canoe club, and
the practice in front of this beach at all times, especially in summer. Kiteboarding is definitely forbidden at this beach. There are rare
occasions where the contest will be held here and there are special
allowances made, No kitesurfing at other times.
Lowers: The surf break known as lowers is
a crowded surf and windsurf break just off canoe beach. It is forbidden to
kiteboard in this break when any there are other users is in this area. The
majority of problems that kiteboarders had in the past occurred in this
area. The line is defined by the lifeguard tower at Kanaha. |
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Access from the Camp Ground's gravel parking lot
A favorite launch for kiteboarders is the beach adjacent to
and downwind from the campgrounds.
This is sometimes called "old man's beach". The parking is at the gravel lot or along the road. (Always lock your car).
There is parking in the gravel parking lot for about 15 cars (sadly some are
abandoned). On the left there is a short trail to the beach. There are some
nice shade trees and a relatively wide sandy beach. The campground
here is a legitimate camping area. The camping area is grassy and has some
shade trees. There are camping permits are available from the County
building in Wailuku. To obtain a camping permit from
the Director by applying for same in person or in writing to the Department
of Parks and Recreation, County of Maui - Permit Office, 700 Halia Nakoa
Street, Wailuku, HI 96793.and the, War
memorial building Camp permits are issued between the
hours of 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday, at the Permits Office at the
War Memorial Gym. There is a shower here
picnic tables and barbeques. |
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The Keyhole
There are also two rock groins that are located perpendicular to
shore at the western end of the beach. Kitesurfers should be very careful to
avoid crashing here. There is a big problem with homelessness and
theft at these parks, so don't stay around after dark, do not leave
valuables unattended at any time, and always lock your car. Even then it may
not be enough to guarantee any security. Even the sandwich in your cooler
could disappear when you are not looking. Any unattended equipment tends to
grow legs and walk away. And if you do relocate it you will be forced to pay
a finders fee to get it back. When launching at this beach have a human
helper, do not self launch if you can avoid it. Wait till you are clear of
any other beach goers before you launch. This beach can get crowded and has
a large number of beginners, and almost beginners, so be patient and help
other riders when you see them struggling. The lower par of this beach is
also known as "Naish Beach", or "Flash beach", |
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Naish Beach,
aka flash beach, between the keyhole and the old hale which was reputedly (a
former girl-scout pavilion) is quickly
becoming
the most popular kiteboarding beach on Maui. I t is wider and sandier than kitebeach. Just the next beach east of kitebeach/ka'a
point, it has two main entry points. The keyhole is a dirt road the leads to
the western (downwind) end of the beach, and the campground Gravel parking lot, at the
eastern (upwind) end on the beach, Sometimes called "lower-lowers" or lower
canoe beach. It is shared by non-kiters too. This small cove is where outrigger canoes
sometimes paddle, so they have the right of way. Especially when the keiki
(kids) groups are practicing. Kites should not launch when an outrigger
canoe is practicing in the bay. Kites should also try to stay at least 200 feet
away from canoes at other times. There is also a camping ground at the eastern
end. Kiteboarders need to be mindful of the other beach users that come here
to enjoy this area.
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The Old Hale, is the old girl scout
pavilion. This access has its entrance opposite the Ka'a Street/ Alaho
Street intersection. Kiters park here and do a short walk through the trees,
to access this launch site. The Old Hale has been renovated and restored
with a new roof. Kiters park at the roadside and walk along a short path
about 50yards through the trees, and set up in front of the Old Hale. Take
care when sailing directly out
from this beach. The Bone Yard reef is directly in front and gets
dangerously shallow, especially at low tide. Sail around the shallow reef
not through it. There is also a submerged concrete slab in front, look out
for it too. The Old Hale is also used by picnickers, and other beach users
ands is used for special events. So please show courtesy and respect and
stay clear when others are using this area. Always take your trash with you,
and pack out a little extra trash and keep the area clean. Do not abuse the
vegetation here even the dune grass is a native plant that holds the dunes
together. Do not damage the vegetation or drag gear across the grass here. |
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CAMPGROUND
BEACH (No Kiteboarding) The area directly
in front of the gravel parking lot is becoming known as campground beach.
The parks dept has asked us to keep all kites out of this area. The beach in
front of the campground is predominantly for the campers use. please do not
set up or leave your kite gear in this area. The grassy area just beyond the
tree line, is an area of native aki-aki grass, it helps to stabilize the
dunes here and prevent erosion. So please do not trample this grass or any
other vegetation. The very
eastern end of this beach (in front of the campground) is a mandated swim zone. So the area close to
and around the
raised concrete block is a swim zone for many children. Launching kites is
strictly forbidden from this end of the beach. To access the kiteboarder
area of the beach from the gravel parking lot, you should use the pathway at
the western side of the gravel lot, and set up your kites, and launch west
of the pathway.
Sign1 at Campground Beach, |

Watch out for windsurfers at the upwind edge of the
ride area. They can be very territorial and aggressive and might try to run you over. We do
not ride past the rockwall that runs along the edge of the "new yellow lifeguard
tower" and "New Canoe Hale".
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Waiehu Beach
 is a sandy stretch of beach popular with fishermen and
local surfers. Via Lower Waiehu Beach Road. Drive
towards the Waiehu golf course.
The beach is located in a residential community, so drive slow!! The
parking area is along the shoreline on the right. There are a few
porta-poties and not much else. The locals don't really
like kiteboarders, and kiting is not very common here yet, but it is getting
more popular. This spot is best when the wind at Kanaha is too strong and
too easterly. Then Waiehu has lighter steadier wind. Kiters at Waiehu will be
riding a kite size or two larger than they would at Kanaha on a given day.
The wind blows side-on from the left (port tack), because of the valley's Venturi. The
beach is very narrow so don't crash into a trees or houses. Stay away from
fishing lines, and stay away from prison inmates on day leave, hitting golf
balls at you (they are the one wearing orange jumpsuits). Waiehu has good backside waveriding conditions, and is not
suited for beginners. Often kiters will cross over to Waiehu from Kitebeach,
ride at Waiehu for a few hours, then ride back to kite beach. Others will do
a one-way crossing and have their buddy drive over to Waiehu to pick them
up. PS Always lock your car and take your key with you! (don't hide it in
the gas cap). |
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Kahului Beach (Method Beach)
 Is the last sandy beach before the rock
wall at Kahului Harbor. Downwind from the water plant, it is
where many
boards and kites end up after being blown away. The wind down here is
slightly more onshore and is steady to ride. Access is difficult so it is
virtually uninhabited except for a few bush people, and some of the curious
cruise ship passengers. There is a whole world of riding possibilities in
this area, almost any day. This most likely where the future expansion of
kiteboarding areas is likely to occur. Take care at the downwind end of the
beach where some hazardous portions of eroded concrete pilings from a former
pier and sometimes exposed. The trailhead is in the Kahului harbor
Industrial zone. Downwind of Kahului Beach is the harbor's break wall. Beware
of the Kahului harbor break wall, it consists of huge concrete blocks called
"jacks'. These jacks get slimy and treacherous. Even if your board gets
stuck here you may not want to retrieve it. There is no easy exits here at
all, so take care not to get too far downwind. |
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Sprecklesville / Stable Road (Private Houses).
NO KITE LAUNCHING ALLOWED
Downwind
(west) from
Camp 1 is a group of luxury homes at the end of Stable Road. They have
vacation rentals and ohanas for rent that are popular with windsurfers. The residents here have long claimed the right to launch from their
private launches. However this area actually lies within the half mile clear
zone of the Runway corridor. So technically there is no launching/landing
allowed from this area. The is virtually no public access here, unless you are
renting one of these houses. You must
respect the ocean rules; no windsurfing before 11am, stay clear of non-kiters,
and do not ride upwind into the runway corridor, or downwind into the
windsurfing area at Kanaha. This area is not suitable for beginners and
only for intermediate or advanced riders who can stay upwind and launch in cramped spaces. |
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Camp 1
NO KITEBOARDING ALLOWED
Camp
One is the area located right off the end of
the main runway, it is also a protected fishing area. At the far left along
a dirt track was a windsurf launch that was popular years ago. This launch
was well know to windsurfers. In the middle area however Windsurfers and Kitesurfers
are totally restricted from launching. There is a protected fishing area
here. See the signs posted there (pictured
on right). But for kiting all this area lies too close to the Airport Runway. Kites launching
or riding here would be
directly in the flight path of planes taking off. You should never attempt
to kiteboard here under any circumstances. The federal Aviation Administration
can fine you up to $3,300.00 if you interfere with the airport runway clear
zone. |
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Sprecks Beach, (also known as Euro beach),
NO KITEBOARDING ALLOWED
Sprecklesville has
been very well know to windsurfers for many years. It is accessed from
Stable road and then a winding dirt road that follows the shoreline under
the kiawe trees. The road ends in a sandy parking area, there are porta-potties
(toilets) and shady trees. The beach is long and sandy with a shallow
reef just offshore. Recent errosion has caused much of the sand to disappear. The wind here is usually strong and side-shore. But
unfortunately for kitesurfers, Sprecks lies inside
the Airport Runway corridor. The Sprecks beach is off limits to kiteboarding. Kites
launching here would interfere with the airport runway clear zone. Sprecks
Beach lies within the mandated corridor that is specified in the FAA Waiver
that allows kiteboarding on Maui's North Shore.
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Sugar Cove (Private Launch).
NO KITE LAUNCHING ALLOWED
Located
upwind of the FAA no-fly-zone, are a few private
residences at Lobster Cove and Sugar Cove, that have access to the water. Kitesurfing
was done from
these private residences, however all complaints from the FAA tower now stem
from this location. The Airport Corridor cuts past this beach at fifty feet
from shore and goes sharply upwind. It is not possible to launch from here
without transgressing into the no fly zone, You can not ride downwind at
all because it will place you directly in the Runway flight path. Skilled
riders only. This beach is a favorite with long time windsurfer vacationers,
because they can rent the condos right on the beach and keep their
equipment rigged and ready, then they can step onto the sand and launch.
When there is a wind shadow, they will swim out to the wind-line. Complaints
from local residents have made this launch off limits to kiteboarders. If
you know of anyone who wants to kite here please tell them not to go here
and to launch at Kite Beach or lanes. |
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Sugar Cove Beach (Public Launch).
NO KITE LAUNCHING ALLOWED There is one
public access way to the
beach at Sugar Cove, to get there, Turn off highway
360, halfway between Stable Road and Baldwin beach, you will see Nonohe
Place. Drive to the end of Nonohe and turn left at the "T". Drive to the end
of Paani Place and park. There is not much parking, so do not block any
driveways, and then you can walk down to the "Shoreline Access" path to the
right, it that leads to a sandy beach at Sugar Cove. Try to launch away from
the turbulent wind at the upwind end of the beach. the beach is narrow at
high tide. You must only ride upwind (East) from this launch area. to ride
downwind would put you in the no-fly zone of the runway flight path. Please
be respectful of local residents, and local rules. |
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Kuau
(NOT RECOMMENDED)
Kuau is a residential area close to Hookipa, and it is popular with
windsurfers. It is a rocky headland packed with houses that line the
waterfront. Kuau's shoreline has a rocky launch that is well known among
windsurfers, it is a horrible (almost impossible) place to launch a kite, even if you are very
skilled, have a reliable kite launching buddy, you are desperate, it is
virtually impossible to ride here, but don't come crying to anyone if you drop your kite
and get munched into the rocks, and trash your gear etc. This is definitely
an un-patrolled zone. There is virtually no parking here so you may need to
get dropped off. There is a shoreline access sign, and a narrow path that
leads to the ocean, and a very rocky shoreline. There is a keyhole through
the reef that may make a slightly easier place to launch (for windsurfers). once you get out
there could be some serious wave conditions just offshore. When there is a
decent swell running, this wave is not to be trifled with, and is for
advanced wave riders only. See the picture on the right for an idea of the
wave action you might find there. |
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Lanes (Wana Beach)
EXPERTS
ONLY
Lanes
is for experts only. Lanes consists of a rock shelf and a keyhole for launching. It
takes skills to launch here without getting dragged across the rocks. A good
idea to wear booties. Have a reliable person launch your kite for you. You
will have to wait for a good gust before you launch, because there is a bit
of a wind shadow here. Just a few hundred yards offshore is a reef-line that
creates the well formed waves. Some of the largest kite-able waves on Maui
are found here. There are several deep channels that allow the rider to get
out the back when the waves are big. This is an experts only area. With
serious consequences if you bail in big waves. If you stall out your kite on
a big wave and get slack lines, get out of there, go sideways if you can,
but you do not want to get wrapped in your lines. On smaller days this spot
is relatively easy to ride. It is the launching and landing that presents
the biggest challenge. Also it could be "possible" to ride lanes in a Kona
wind (side offshore), but it is extremely dangerous if you get blown out to
sea. Which is a definite possibility. So it is generally not worth the risk.
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Ho'okipa (kiting only allowed during contests)

Characterized by a rocky shoreline and strong currents. This beach is popular
for
surfing and windsurfing. The sandy part of the
beach is actually not that big so it gets crowded very
easily. A Ho'okipa there is a "ten man rule", which means that if there is more than ten surfers
in the water,
you can not go out on your windsurfer. In the morning the beach is the
domain of divers and surfers. There is no windsurfing before 11am (11
o'clock rule), No windsurfing if there is
more than 5 surfers at the "H'poko" break. This means that there is no room left for
kiteboarders. That is why we do not kite there except for during
kiteboarding contests. Ho'okipa is an important beach for watersports, the
crown jewel of the North Shore, and it
should not be overused or abused. For Surfers, there are three main breaks at Ho'okipa,
From west to east they are, H'poko, Middles, and Pavilions. Pavilions is a
surfing only break, and is usually in a wind shadow anyway (that's why it is
a good surfing break), Windsurfers will find the waveriding is at H'poko with some
cross-over to middles. the waves can be ridden upwind, then a
downwind bear-away wave-ride towards the rocky point and a last minute exit out the
channel.
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Memorial Park (Ohukai Beach),
This south shore beach has excellent
fishing, swimming, windsurfing and occasionally kite-surfing. Facilities include picnic
tables, showers and restrooms. Wintertime whale sightings are almost
guaranteed, kiteboarders and windsurfers must keep clear of whales by at
least 200ft. This small beach park has been a favorite venue for windsurfers
for years. When the wind is northerly it can blow strong side-shore from the right.
There is a shallow reef (3-5 feet) just offshore that throws off some nice small waves
too, especially during a nice summer southerly swell. The beach and launch
area is narrow and limited, and the park is tree lined, which helps to keep
errant kites from getting too close to the road. The tree barrier is located
along the widest section of beach. The best place to launch is near
the blue pavilion, or at the sandy point just north of the pavilion. Do not launch too close to the
road, or close to other beach users. When exiting, bring your kite down
early and self-exit if necessary. In the early days, a few kites went over
the road here, so be super careful. There can be a deceptively strong shore
break here, even when the waves are small. this beach is good when the winds
blow "Kona" too. Kona winds blow from the south west, and create
side-onshore winds. |
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Whale Sanctuary
The sandy beach north of the blue whale house is a good access point in kona winds. The sandy beach
is one of the wider launch areas on the south shore. There is a small river
mouth here. The beach is surrounded by sensitive dune areas and wetland
habitat, so please only use the proper pathways to access the beach here. As always care must be
taken when riding these areas close to roads and houses. these south shore
beaches are short and separated by rocky points. so access between the
beaches is often limited to the roadway. Only confident upwind riders should
ride at this location. If you get down-winded on another beach you may have
to walk back to your launch site along the side of the busy roadway, take
care to carefully pack up your gear into a small tidy package before
attempting to walk along the roads shoulder. There are no sidewalks along
this stretch of road. Do not get hit bay a passing car. |
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Wailea Keawakapu (Sidewalks)
Keawakapu
is a long sandy beach that is often packed with
sun worshippers, and children at play. If you can find a wide open area to
launch from it is possible to ride here. but it is better as a place to
launch when doing a Kona down-winder to Kihei. keep clear of other beach
users, and never launch over the heads of non-kiters.
The central entrance to Keawakapu Beach is also known to surfers as
"Sidewalks", perhaps after the sidewalk you have to walk down to get to it. Keawakapu literally means "The Forbidden (or Sacred) Harbor" in Hawaiian.
Keawakapu Beach is the last beach on South Kihei Road. As you are
driving south on South Kihei Road, you will pass the Kihei Boat Ramp on the
right, and then a sign for the Maui Mana Kai. There is a gravel parking lot
on the right just after this sign. The last entrance (south) has showers and
a porta-potty.
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Waipuilani, Maui Sunset

Maui
Sunset is a
popular windsurfing spot. and has been a local kiteboarding launch for
several years. It has a lot of shallow reef and numerous palm trees along
the shoreline which can make launching and landing kites difficult. The park
is very nice with 20acres of grassy lawn. Not a good place for beginner kiters at low tide because of scrapes to feet and other extremities. The
locals make riding here look easy, but they have figured out where all the
rocks are, and stay away from shallow areas. If you do crash here, stay
shallow. Do not dive into the water head first, or perpendicular to the
water. Try to splat and stay at the surface. there is limited parking for
about 20 cars, so it fills up quickly. Lock up your valuables, because the
incidence of theft in these parking areas is very high. Just call the cops if
you have any problems. This place is best in a northerly
of southwest Kona wind. This spot is suitable for Intermediate to advanced
riders. There will be a fun wave during a southerly swell. Beware at low
tide. Sometimes the side-shore wind will suddenly turn side-off around
sunset so don't stray too far from shore or you might be in for a long swim. |
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Ma'alaea, mud flats (Southerly
winds only)
Ma'alaea's
beaches can be very very windy. There are no white sandy beaches at Maalaea
Harbor but there is a wave break called Freight Train that is considered to
be one of the fastest breaks in the world during certain times of the year.
Just south of Maalaea Harbor is an area sometimes called the Maalaea Mud
Flats. Most of Maalaea's condominium complexes are located in this area.
It's a rocky shoreline area that is a good board surfing and body surfing
spot during the winter months when the waves are up. There is a rock ledge
just off shore so be careful entering the water. We only kite this place in
Kona onshore winds. and the conditions are very average. Strong stormy
kona winds can get quite hectic, so take care not to boost close to shore,
and always weigh down your kites with plenty of sand. Don't kite here in
offshore winds. |
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Ukumehame Beach Park
Ukumehame Beach Park is on the Hono'apiilani Highway
between the Pali and Lahaina. It is a very small park, with limited
facilities. It has a nice beach, and is a good place to stop for a quick
swim or a picnic lunch. It is only kite-able and working in a kona (southerly)
onshore wind. Take care when launching because the road is close to the shoreline.
Never kite here in a northerly wind, because the strong offshore gusty
conditions will blow you out to sea. The offshore winds are often extreme
here because they funnel down the valleys. |
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S-Turns,
Kaanapali, Embassy Suites, CURRENTLY CLOSED TO
KITEBOARDERS Due to too many incidences this "Embassy" beach is
currently closed to kiteboarders. This West side beach features the Embassy hotel, this is a large beach full of
tourist and has multiple uses. This beach has public restrooms and showers.
Popular for beginner surfing, diving, swimmers and snorkelers, and usually more than its fare share
of sun bathers. This place only works in kona's and northerly winds. There
is a wind shadow in easterly winds. Always
take extreme care when kiting close to non-kiters. Remember that
swimmers have right of way, and that you should stay 200 feet away from
divers. There will often be a marked swim zone, delimited by the yellow/red
flags. And of course there is absolutely no kiting ever allowed close to
these marked swim zones. The photo was taken during the annual Molokai
Crossing, where windsurfers and kiteboarders depart from Embassy Suites and
ride across to the neighboring island of Molokai. (here is a picture of us
waiting for the wind). |
D.T.Fleming
& Ironwood (Shitty's) Beach
These beaches on the "upper
Westside" of
Maui are best
in northerly trades. When the wind comes more onshore. If the trades are
even the slightest bit easterly there the wind will be side-off and will
create gusty conditions close to shore.
Once out in the Pailolo Channel the conditions can get quite rough. Be prepared
for rolling swell and strong winds. Do not ride too far from shore, because
if your kite goes down, it is likely that you will get blown farther away
from shore. It is always best to ride with a buddy. We use the westside
launch
sites when the wind is side-onshore (northerly). You don't want to get
stranded swimming out in the channel after dark. If you get in trouble here
you could get blown to shipwreck beach on the island of Lanai.
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