Hui Waʻa Kaukahi

Nui a lehulehu na mokupuni, ʻaʻole lawa ka manawa

So many islands, so little time!

Author: Terry Shimabukuro

Hale‘iwa to Runway Beach 2024

Story and Photos by Terry Shimabukuro

June 30, 2024

As we rendezvoused at the Hale‘iwa War Memorial the beach park was already bustling as early birds began to arrive for the 25th Hale‘iwa Arts Festival. While I’m sure the festival offered lots of nice things to see, three other paddlers and I opted to enjoy the beauty of the ocean instead.

The wind and ocean were calm leaving Hale‘iwa. Stan Dalbec, Bill Murphy and Harry Chiu decided to take a route inside the reef. I stayed outside the breakers as I was dragging a lure and hoped that the predicted uptick in wind would be strong enough for sailing.

Harry Chiu passing Hale‘iwa

North Shore O‘ahu from Waialua to Kaena

The forecast was accurate as a steady breeze came up just after eleven. I opened my Wind Paddle and began a slow sail. Initially, I moved just a little faster than the paddlers, but the wind picked up and, as Bill told me later, I “shot ahead”. The wind got so strong that I dropped the sail for the last quarter mile because the cross swells were getting large and I had to weave my way through several groups of free divers.

As we approached the Dillingham Airfield a group of about six skydivers floated down from the clouds.

Sailing with a Wind Paddle

Skydivers over Mokuleia

I waited outside of Runway Beach for the rest of the group to catch up, but only Bill appeared. The inside passage had closed out before our landing spot and while Bill was able to punch his way out Harry, who was on just his second club paddle, was not as fortunate and had his first huli. Bill said that while he learned about bracing into a wave when he was a beginner this was the first time he had to put it into practice. That tells you something about the conditions.

Harry’s happy to reach Runway Beach

Stan came to Harry’s aid and they regrouped on shore. From shore they spotted a path through the surf and decided to paddle on. While this paddle was more challenging than Harry expected he was smiling at the end and looks forward to more adventures with the hui.

June 30, 2024
Summer Solstice Celebration 2024

Story and photos by Terry Shimabukuro (except as noted)

June 21, 2024

The kayaking part of this event was canceled because of a Small Craft Advisory (SCA), but a small group of us gathered at Electric Beach to snorkel, picnic and watch the sunset. Ruby and I were joined by Norm Chun, Mary Ann, Jled, Beth and Won Yee Cheng-Leever and Susan Wilcox. While there was a steady breeze it was nowhere near SCA level nearshore so we were disappointed that we could have been kayaking.

A small pod of spinner dolphins cruised back and forth a little beyond the power plant outflow and kept us entertained with their acrobatics before sunset. The conditions were perfect for snorkeling so Norm, Beth and I jumped in. The warm water at the outflow attracts a wide variety of fish and it was fun to watch them “playing” in the current.

Picnic spot overlooking the ocean – photo by Beth

Waiting for sunset – photo by Beth

We enjoyed our picnic dinners and getting to know Susan who was attending her third club event. Good ol’ Sol did not disappoint and painted the horizon in a relaxing, warm orange glow. A wonderful end to the second longest day of the year (the solstice was actually the day before).

Even the feral cats line up to watch sunset!

Beth and Won Yee silhouetted at sunset

We waited for La Luna to rise, but a hill masked her appearance so we packed up and headed home. Once we drove around the hill she shined big and mesmerizingly beautiful! Too bad we didn’t see it while on the water…maybe next year!

June 21, 2024
Tracks to Pokai Bay 2024

Story and Photos by Terry Shimabukuro

June 2, 2024

Advisory level trades threatened to cancel our paddle, but the SCA ended early Sunday morning so it was a go for six paddlers, including new member Bill McCarthy who was on his first paddle on the open ocean.

Small swells rolled up the beach at Tracks, but they weren’t breaking so we all launched without incident. As we began our journey up the coast a lifeguard on an Ocean Safety jet ski pulled along side me and asked where we were headed. When I replied Pokai he responded, “Whoa!”

He warned me that there was surf breaking along the coast so he suggested that we stay a little outside. I passed the word along as the lifeguard zoomed in to intercept Stan Dalbec who was already busy with his usual close inspection of the rocky coastline.

Leaving Tracks, approaching Nanakuli

Nanakuli Valley

Our dolphin escort failed to show up for this paddle. I think they knew that Beth, Eileen, Nikko and Sandy weren’t with us so they went to look for a better audience. I didn’t see much wildlife except one large honu and a few ‘ua’u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater) flying by.

Without wildlife to entertain us the Waianae mountains filled the void with a glorious show. The heavy May showers produced lush green valleys and hillsides. High clouds framed jagged peaks from Makakilo to Makaha. Normally, at this time of the year the leeward coast is more brown than green so we relished this rare treat.

Bill Murphy and Lisa C

Majestic Ma’ili Point

While I don’t claim that these photos are works of art try viewing them on the largest screen that you can (or at least read this in landscape mode) to get a better sense of what we saw.

Passing the Waianae Valley

Approaching Pokai Bay with Makaha Valley in the background

Bill McCarthy stands a lanky 6′-4″ and he folded himself into his used Scrambler for this 8-mile trek. His long reach gives him a powerful stroke that allowed him to keep up with us, at least until the pad-eye anchoring his seat back popped off. I noticed that he had another pad-eye forward of the failed one so I attempted an on-water repair with some spare line that I carry. We clipped his seat back to the line and I cinched it up and, “Ping!”, another pad-eye launched into the sea! Disappointed in my failed McGuyver moment, Bill shrugged it off, engaged his core and soldiered on.

6′-4″ Bill in his Scrambler

Coming in to land at Pokai Bay Beach Park

He was running low on gas by the end of the paddle, but we cruised safely into Pokai Bay. In spite of his struggles Bill remained in good spirits. Earlier, when we took a short break after rounding Ma’ili Point Bill took a moment to soak in the vista. He turned to me and said, “It never gets old.” Bill gets it. This is why we paddle. Welcome to the Hui Bill!

June 2, 2024
Makai Pier to Kailua 2024

Story and photos by Terry Shimabukuro

May 26, 2024

Seven kayakers answered the call to trek seven miles from the Makai Range Pier to the Kailua boat ramp with a rest stop on Moku Nui. We welcomed new paddlers Steven, Nicole and Zachary. Breezy tradewinds kept most of us inside the reef with only paddle leader Steve Harris and his guest, Zach, braving the outside swells.

Partial cloudy skies tempered the tropical sun and the constant breeze kept us cool throughout the paddle. Nicole whooped with glee whenever their tandem crested the occasional trade swell.

Steven and Nicole passing Waimanalo

Heading toward the Mokulua Islets

Kelvin approaches Moku Nui with world famous Lanikai Beach behind him

This was Kelvin Tom’s first time paddling this route and his first time on the water in a few months. He handled the journey with ease although I heard him discussing the effectiveness of ibuprofen at the break on Moku Nui.

At February’s surf clinic there were four monk seals on the beach at Moku Nui. This time only a solo pinniped sunbather lazed on the sand. It must have been content as it didn’t move an inch except for an occasional head bob.

Frequent wails and moans came from the abundant ‘Ua‘u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater) resting under shrubs or in burrows. The breeding pairs had gathered on the islet to lay their single egg for the season.

Lone monk seal resting on the beach

‘Ua’u kani laying under a shrub

Steve’s 11.5 pound omilu ulua

Steve was stoked with his catch of the day, an 11.5 pound omilu ulua! He caught it on a popper after freeing his lucky SP Minnow lure on his other line from the reef.

May 26, 2024
Cinco de Coptic Easter Camp

Story and photos (except as noted) by Terry Shimabukuro
Cover photo by Bert Wong

May 3-5, 2024

About two dozen hardy souls braved strong winds and occasional downpours to camp Friday and Saturday nights at Kualoa’s small group campsite. The sporadic rain did not dampen our spirits as we still enjoyed a relaxing weekend at the beach. Plenty of time to talk story and share meals together. A few keiki attended and added some youthful energy. The strong winds did put a damper on kayaking, however, so the paddle to Kahana Bay was canceled and only a few folks ventured out on short excursions on Saturday.

Ruby, Steve, Tim, Norm, Stan & Rob

Paul and Rob talking story

Saturday evening campfire

With the days of Christmas tree bonfires behind us (fun fact, the Kualoa group campsite permit now specifically bans the burning of Christmas trees…I wonder why?) we instead had a responsible-sized campfire with kiawe logs provided by Chuck Ehrhorn. Unfortunately, Chuck wasn’t there to enjoy the fire so we didn’t get to hear his shark story…again. The fire was perfect for toasting marshmallows for s’mores and Alan Matsuo’s wife, Teresa, left us an ono banana cream pie so we stared into the dancing flames with a nice sugar rush. Norm Chun strummed his baritone ukulele and serenaded us with dulcet tones crooning traditional Hawaiian songs. Lono must have decided that it was our bedtime as he unleashed a downpour to douse the fire and send us scurrying to our tents.

Keiki at the campfire

Sunday began with a well attended “Intro to Kayaking” clinic lead by Kevin Ching and Joe Hu. After listening to oral instructions Kevin took the class onto the water where they practiced their strokes and self-rescue. Satisfied that they were bay-worthy Kevin lead them to Mokoli’i. The pupils must have been satisfied too as five of them became club members after the clinic including a legacy member, Lois Rhinelander’s daughter Kelly Miyashiro, along with her partner James Tingco. Another new member, Bill McCarthy, will vie with Stan McCrae for tallest club member honors.

Intro to Kayaking clinic participants

Kevin demonstrates kayak self rescue

The wind calmed down enough to safely hold our Easter egg hunt with Tim Sawyer and Paul Tibbetts doing the egg laying honors. About twenty paddlers took to the water to gather the eggs. Several of us swept the area to make sure that no eggs were left behind, but we didn’t count them this year so we’re not sure if we got them all. Since we want to be responsible stewards of our beaches and ocean we are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic eggs in case we do miss a few. Let us know if you have an idea for a biodegradable alternative. It should be egg-sized, but doesn’t have to be egg-shaped. It just has to float high enough on the water and be colored so that it can be seen.

Kayakers starting the Easter egg hunt – photo by Bert Wong

New member Carolyn on her first Easter egg hunt

Auctioneer Chuck starts the used gear auction

Chuck’s donated Cobra Re-Vision

Our potluck lunch was interrupted by a rousing “Rally! Rally! Rally!” cry from Chuck signaling the start of the used gear auction. Chuck generously donated his Cobra Strike+ Re-Vision for the auction. Bill Murphy (via proxy Sandy Johnson) won a furious duel with Bert Wong and added the Re-Vision to his fleet. The auction made $672 for the club so a big mahalo to Chuck and everyone else who donated gear. Also, mahalo to past member Caroline who donated $100 and to Elliott Wong for donating custom laser etched club swag.

Elliott Wong’s custom club swag – photos by Elliott

The day’s festivities ended with the Easter egg prize distribution as our first, and probably only, Cinco de Coptic Easter Camp came to a close. The day ended on a slightly sour note as we didn’t have a good team clean-up effort of the pavilion. A big mahalo and apology to Lois, Kelly and Stan Dalbec for clearing the potluck leftovers and for taking home the leftover auction items. Shame on us! Let’s do better next year gang!

Kimberly enjoyed her prize bubbles

Steve caught a 2.5 lb omilu after the festivities – photo by Steve Harris

May 5, 2024