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.
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.
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.