Hawaii Recomendations

Eric P · Post by **Eric P** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:51 pm

I need some help. I took up kiting basically this winter and got out quite a bit. I'm leaving for Hawaii in about a week and will probably not get a chance to hit the water before I go. Is it at all a good place to learn on the water, if you have some kite skills? Is it posible to rent gear there, and if so, where is the best place? Any other cool info whould be awesome. I'm mostly going as a vacation, but if I can get in some kiting while there that whould be even better. See everyone on the water at Malmo this summer. Peace.

Eric P

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:01 am

Eric, which island are you headed to? If Oahu, then Kailua is the spot for kiting. Luke Dunklee, a former White Bear local, lives there now. Look him up. He taught kiting and windsurfing there for a while. He would help you out. When I was there 3 years ago Naish would not rent kites. You could only fly during a lesson with an instructor. Boards were available though. Maybe this has changed.

Have fun!

kitingfox · Post by **kitingfox** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:03 am

Eric -

If you are heading to Maui, kite beach is an ok place to learn and get on the water. Certainly better than learning in Minnesota, but not nearly as good as S. Padre. Kite Beach is kind of small, and as you drift downwind you end up at a port, which is not a very safe place to land. So long as you are reasonable and work with the instructor, this should not be a problem.

I had a lesson there from the Kitesurfing School of Maui (http://www.ksmaui.com/) in August, which is in the same building as the Windsurfing School of Maui. They would rent gear to me after determining that I was a responsible kiteboarder and after I was certified by an instructor. I had lessons from Darian, who has been giving lessons for 5 or 6 years and is a close friend of Aaron Sales. He was very nice and helped me work on a few problems that I was having.

If I remember correctly they have some way of measuring levels of kiteboarding that are standardized. You get a little card that will let you rent gear from other places that also use that standardization.

Have a great time in HI!

Michael Fox

adamel111 · Post by **adamel111** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:50 pm

Eric P -

I am also headed to Oahu for a week (April 17-24). When are you heading out?

I am staying in Kaneohe the first two days and then staying in Kailua for the rest of the time. I am going mostly as a vacation with my girlfriend, but I also plan on renting windsurfing gear from the Naish store (I don't kite) and sailing at least 3 or 4 days I am there. I will sail Kailua Bay but might check out diamond head if there is a good day there (not too trecherous).

Any recommendations for sailing are welcome as I have never been to Hawaii before.

Adam

SCOTT RIDOUT · Post by **SCOTT RIDOUT** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:11 pm

Hey whats wrong with Minnesota kiting....Just kidding actually if you have never been to Malmo on Lake Milacs your missing out it's a fantastic place to learn, knee deep water and no weeds mostly sand.

adamel111 · Post by **adamel111** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:25 pm

Was the Malmo recommendation directed towards me? Thanks for the tip. I had intended on learning to kite this winter but work kept me from doing so. Maybe I'll get some time to try it this summer. I just invested my money in updating my sail quiver though - so I may not have money to put towards a kite.

Eric P · Post by **Eric P** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:05 pm

Thanks everyone. I couldn't find anywhere to rent a kite. I suppose the liability would be murder. I plan on getting in the warm water as much as I can. We should get together over there Adam. I'll be there between the 18th and 28th. Kailua looks like the place for me. I also windsurf, but mostly want to get kiting. Sounds like a lesson will have to be on the itinerary.

Can't wait for the water up here to warm up a bit. Malmo is still covered in ice, at least it was yesterday.

Adam, give me a call befor you go so we can hook up. 320-684-2055

Eric

adamel111 · Post by **adamel111** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:05 am

I'll give you a call before I fly out on Sunday. I really don't have any set plans for the trip. Me and my girlfriend are just going to lounge on the beach, snorkel, and check out a couple of the sites like the north shore, waikiki, hike up diamond head, and try to stop by "Dog the Bounty Hunter's" baild bond business.

As for sailing, I can't leave my girlfriend stranded on the beach by herself, but I'm going to try to get out as much as I can. I'm going to check the forcast for the week when I get there and then decide if I'm going to get a weekly rental or just rent equipment on a couple different days.

I've been checking iwindsurf for over a week now, looks like 80% of the days build to 15-20 in the afternoon. Perfect kiting weather - I'm hoping it gets a bit windier for windsurfing.

Feel free to give me a call as well. 651-226-8595

Adam