Stunning
Coastlines: The Hawaiian Islands are well known for their
stunning coastlines. While some are world famous, such as Waikiki
Beach or the Napali Coast of Kauai, many are virtually unknown and
unvisited, even by locals. The waterfall-laced North Shore of Moloka`i
(the “Back Side” to locals) has 3800’ sea cliffs; by far the highest
in the world. Pelekunu Valley, a deep gash in the cliffs, opens into
a huge bowl of unequaled beauty. It is an earthly paradise; completely
uninhabited.
The
west end of Moloka`i has Papohaku Beach, a golden arc of brilliant
sand stretching south for five miles out of Kaluakoi Resort. It is
almost always deserted.
For
exotic diving, there are the Five Needles off Lana`i, an underwater
cathedral of towering formations, rarely mentioned in guidebooks.
Waipio Valley is stunning; Kaua`i’s Hanalei Bay is idyllic, and Maui’s
Hana Bay is delightful. These are but a few of the places of great
natural beauty that can only be appreciated from a yacht.
Our
Sailing: If the landfalls do not provide enough allure, try
surfing down 10-foot waves trailing foam in a steady 25-knot breeze,
an experience found in few other tropical seas. Our strong steady
trades result from our location at the fast turn of the Great North
Pacific High circulation. Cold air from Alaska, tugged towards the
equator by the Earth’s rotation, streams past the West Coast and curves
through the Islands before slowing up in the Western Pacific.
The
sailing in Hawai`i is fast, exhilarating, and dependable. When the
trades are up, avoid going to windward, or make night crossings when
the winds lay. Watch the weather and sail accordingly. If the channels
are too rough, sail the more serene leeward shores.
Our
Islands are all tall volcanoes, producing microclimates and unusual
sailing conditions. The trades accelerate in the channels between
these volcanic mountains. In their lee are “wind shadows” that extend
miles out to sea and provide ideal conditions for power yachts. The
Big Island’s Kona Coast, for example, has few sailboats but many fishing
yachts and many big game fishing tournaments.
No
Taxes: A little known advantage of owning a yacht in Hawai`i
is the complete lack of taxes. No sales tax (except for new boats,
at 4.166 percent), no excise tax, no use tax, no registration tax,
no County tax, no State tax, no federal tax. No taxes on boats. Period.
The
policy
reflects the Hawaiian attitude towards the ocean. We have more than
12,000 trailer fishing boats that provide food for the tables of many
locals, and you can’t tax one without taxing the other. The State
seems to regard yachting with “benign neglect”, an attitude that many
will find refreshingly easy on the wallet.
The
State-owned Ala Wai Marina is located at the gateway to Waikiki, between
the beautiful Ala Moana and Waikiki Beach Parks. It marks the end
of the Ala Wai Canal and the entrance to the Pacific Ocean. The marina
provides moorage for most of the non-trailered private watercraft
on Oahu, and is the home of the Waikiki and Hawaii Yacht Clubs.
Perfectly
set along the beautiful Leeward coastline of Oahu, the privately owned
Ko Olina Marina is Oahu's newest marina. Its location allows easy
access to Marriott's renowned Ihilani Resort & Spa, seven blue
lagoons, and Ted Robinson's championship golf course. From recreational
sailors and sport fishermen to the refined yachtsman, the 43-acre
private marina can house practically any size vessel.
For more information,
click on the photo above to visit the Ko Olina Marina web site.
Contact
Information for all Oahu Marinas:
Ala
Wai Small Boat Harbor
1651 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815
Tel:973-9727, Fax:973-9739
Harbor includes areas used by Hawaii Yacht Club, Waikiki Yacht
Club and Royal Hawaiian Ocean Racing Club. 699 berths, 85
moorings, dry storage.
Keehi
Harbor
4 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Tel:(808) 832-3464 , Fax:(808) 832-3419
Keehi_harbor@hawaii.gov
Located on the south coast of Oahu, approximately five miles
from Waikiki Beach by the international airport. The state
run marina has 389 berths, with moorings also sometimes available
at Keehi Lagoon.
Keehi
Marine Center
24 Sand Island Access Road , Honolulu, HI 96819
Tel:808-845-6465 , Fax:808-841-6610
http://www.keehimarine.com/, office@keehimarine.com
Private marina and boatyard. 160 berths, vessels up to 60
feet, visitors berths available. Water, electricity, 24 hour
fuel dock. 150 ton travelift, repair facilities.
Ko
Olina Marina
92-100 Waipahe Pl., Kapolei, HI 96707
Tel:679-1050, Fax:679-1055
www.koolinamarina.com, info@koolinamarina.com
Located at Ko Olina Resort on the western shore of Oahu. Full
service private marina, yachts to 150' accommodated. Fuel
dock. Vistors berths available.
Rainbow
Bay Marina
Pearl Harbor, Oahu, HI
Tel:808-422-1016, Fax:808-471-9680
Located near the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center. Some transient
berths available
Haleiwa
Harbor
66-105 Haleiwa Road, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712-0178
Tel:(808) 637-8246 , Fax:(808) 637-8247
boroh@aloha.com
Located on the north shore of Oahu. 64 berths, 26 moorings.
Heeia
Kea Small Boat Harbor
46-499 Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
Tel:(808) 233-3603 , Fax:(808) 233-3062
bobohk@aloha.com
Located on the southwestern shore of Kaneohe Bay. 21 berths,
54 moorings - anchorage by permit only.
Makani
Kai Marina
45-995 Wailele Rd., Kaneohe, HI 96744
Tel:235-4416, Fax:235-4101
www.mkmarina.org, mkmarina@hawaii.rr.com
Privately owned berths; rentals available.
Lahaina
Small Boat Harbor
675 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
Tel:(808) 662-4060 , Fax:(808) 662-4062
Located on the northwest coast of Maui in Lahaina town: 16
berths, 83 moorings, fuel dock.
Maalaea
Small Boat Harbor
RR 1, Box 371, Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel:244-7041, Fax:242-1815
89 berths/moorings, harbor office, dry dock. Fuel available
by truck delivery. US Coast Guard station.
Contact
Information for Hawaii (Big Island) Marinas:
Wailoa
Sampan Basin and Boat Harbor
400 Hualani St, Hilo, HI 96720-4783
Tel:(808) 933-0414, Fax:(808) 933-6002
50 moorings.
Gentry's
Kona Marina
74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy., Honokohau Harbor, Kailua-Kona, HI
96740
Tel:329-7896, Toll free 1-888-458-7896, Fax:329-7372
http://www.gentryskonamarina.com, boat@aloha.net
Full service marina, haul out up to 50 tons, dry storage,
repair facilities, chandlery.
Honokohau
Small Boat Harbor
74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2704
Tel:329-4215, Fax:326-7896
Located just north of Kailua-Kona. 260 berths, haul out facilities,
fuel dock. Visitors berths sometimes available.
University
of Hawaii Meteorology
Link to Oahu Surf Observation and Forecast/Coastal Forecast for Hawaiian
Waters. Many other types of Marine Weather Forecasts for Hawaii and
Hawaiian waters are available at this site.
National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Extensive marine weather and charting information is available at this
site. Routine forecasts are issued for the Hawaiian Coastal Waters,
the Offshore Waters, and High Seas.
NOAA
Mariner’s Forecast
Coastal Forecast for Hawaiian Waters from the National Weather Service
Forecast Office
in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Stunning
Coastlines: The Hawaiian Islands are well known for their
stunning coastlines. While some are world famous, such as Waikiki
Beach or the Napali Coast of Kauai, many are virtually unknown and
unvisited, even by locals. The waterfall-laced North Shore of Moloka`i
(the “Back Side” to locals) has 3800’ sea cliffs; by far the highest
in the world. Pelekunu Valley, a deep gash in the cliffs, opens into
a huge bowl of unequaled beauty. It is an earthly paradise; completely
uninhabited. 
The
west end of Moloka`i has Papohaku Beach, a golden arc of brilliant
sand stretching south for five miles out of Kaluakoi Resort. It is
almost always deserted. 
Our
Sailing: If the landfalls do not provide enough allure, try
surfing down 10-foot waves trailing foam in a steady 25-knot breeze,
an experience found in few other tropical seas. Our strong steady
trades result from our location at the fast turn of the Great North
Pacific High circulation. Cold air from Alaska, tugged towards the
equator by the Earth’s rotation, streams past the West Coast and curves
through the Islands before slowing up in the Western Pacific. 
No
Taxes: A little known advantage of owning a yacht in Hawai`i
is the complete lack of taxes. No sales tax (except for new boats,
at 4.166 percent), no excise tax, no use tax, no registration tax,
no County tax, no State tax, no federal tax. No taxes on boats. Period.
