It wasn't a total surprise, the forecast had been calling for the wind to drop out by the weekend. This is because the high pressure systems that sits just north of Hawaii and causes the trade winds moved south. The forecast was calling for the trades to start blowing again on Tuesday. With an added bonus for a 2.5m north swell arriving on the same day. None wind activities were needed to fill in the days.
Feeling like we still needed to burn some energy we went back to Kahalui to rent some stand up paddle boards so we could go for a surf. It was about 5.45pm when we jumped into the water at Kanaha. The beach at Kanaha is normally the place where all the kites and slalom windsurfers go out, because there is a large lagoon like area in front of the waves that is almost a kilometer long. It took probably 20mins or so to paddle all the way out to the break, we also had to battle a 10knot head wind. Joel and I made it out first and caught a couple of pretty average waves. Phil was lagging about 5mins behind. When he finally joined us he got taken out by the first big bit of white water that he had tried to get over. As he fell of his leg rope also broke and took his board about 50m away from him. Joel and I paddled over to help him. I paddles to his board, and Joel went to Phil. Just as we reunite Phil with his board I notice the there is a huge turtle just behind Joel. We were all sitting within a couple meters of each other. Phil was still trying to re attach his leg rope when I got a little closer to inspect the turtle, when I notice that the turtles body was starting to look less and less like a turtle. I yell, “Shit, that’s not a turtle!” At this point I’m paddling backwards, Phil has managed to jump on his board. In a panic we all look back at the shadow to confirm is definitely a shark about 2m long thrashing around in the water looking a little aggravated. At one point it came strait for us and then turned sharply. We all paddled together to try and look bigger. I don’t think I ever paddled so fast in my life. So much so my left shoulder is still sore. It took about 12 or so mins to paddle in. SCARY! Later on after looking at some shark photos on the internet, we decide that what we saw in the water was a 2m Tiger shark. Not cool.
Just after lunch we went to Lanes, a surf break just to the west of Ho’okipa for a surf on the stand up paddle boards. This was pretty fun, the waves were pretty fat so perfect for the SUP. The bigger waves were probably head high. The only problem was getting in and out of the water. On the way in I managed to jump on a sea urchin, getting a big spine in my heal and also slicing a good sized flap. Hmmm…
Monday 3rd: Early morning, up at 4am. In the van by 4.30 headed over to the Lahaina mariner over the west side Maui so that we could go fishing with the guys from Real Hooker fishing charters. Awesome day for it, not much wind and pretty calm seas, well for Maui standards anyway.
All 4 of us went out, we were lucky enough to get the whole boat to our self’s. Unfortunately we didn’t see too much action. We were blue water fishing, and I guess sometimes that’s just the way it is. We were after: Yellow fin tuna, Blue Marlin and Mahi Mahi.
I was the only one to see any action. I brought a nice 15kg Yellow fin tuna. Which was pretty cool, the biggest fish I have ever caught.
An littler later the deck hand prepared the freshest sashimi I have ever eaten.
Once we got home we feasted on the fresh fish. I made sushi rolls and Joel made some crunchy shallow fried tuna steaks.
Yellow fin tuna is going to be on the menu every night for the rest of the trip now. We have so much fish to get through!
I am so sick of Tuna already
ReplyDeleteYeah, nice James. Good to hear you're that you were "the only one to see any action" on your "real hooker" charter tour. I guess you get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteAdrian