Hanapepe Bay

Source: Naval Air Pilot, 1936.

DESCRIPTION

Location: Hanapepe Bay, adjacent to Port Allen.

Depths: 6 to 18 feet.

Tidal range: 1.1 feet.

Character of bottom: Sand and rocks.

Currents: Weak, westerly.

Shelter: Affords shelter during the trades with fair holding ground under normal conditions.

LANDING AND TAKE-OFF AREA

Location: Hanapepe Bay or open sea.

Area: Hanapepe Bay, N./S., 1/2 mile; E./W., 3/8 mile.

Shelter: Practically an open roadstead.

Obstructions: Breakwater under construction. Buoys. Swells usually off entrance. Breakers on west side of bay.

FACILITIES

Provisions can be obtained on several day’s notice. No repair facilities. Numerous lighters and towing launches.

Beach: Sandy beach at head of bay, continuous surf.

Communications: Telephone. Steamers make regular calls.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Aspects: The shores of Hanapepe Bay are low rocky bluffs except at its head.

Landmarks: Eastern side of bay is marked by three large and three small white oil tanks, several large warehouses, and a flag pole near the inshore end of the break water. Radio towers 1/2 mile northeast of Hanapepe Light. Conspicuous gray stack and buildings of mill 1.75 miles east of Hanapepe Bay, the lights of which are good night mark.

Tender anchorage: Vessels usually make fast to mooring buoys. There are no wharves for large vessels.

Boat landing: The landing is on the easterly side of the bay just inside the breakwater.

Health: There is a quarantine officer and a privately owned hospital.

Importance: Best point on the south coast of Kauai for emergency use. Port Allen is the shipping center of the south coast.