Hanalei Bay Seaplane Anchorage

Source: Naval Air Pilot, 1936.

DESCRIPTION

Location: Anchorage in Hanalei Bay is impracticable except when unusually calm conditions prevail.

Depths: 3 to 30 feet.

Tidal range: 1.3 feet.

Character of bottom: Sand and corals.

Shelter: Offers no protection from north and northwest winds and sea. Swells run unbroken into the bay and form a heavy surf on the sand beach at the inner end.

LANDING AND TAKE-OFF AREA

Location: Hanalei Bay or open sea.

Area: Hanalei Bay. N./S. 3/4 mile; E./W., 3/4 mile. Long take-offs would have to be made in the open sea.

Shelter: None.

Obstructions: Coral reef 300 – 700 yards wide, fringes the shore on both sides. During northerly or southwesterly gales the sea breaks across the entrance to the bay.

FACILITIES

Provisions and water can be obtained in limited quantities.

Communications: Telephone. No vessels call here regularly.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Aspects: Hanalei Bay 1 mile wide and indents the coast about the same distance. Along the sandy beach at the head of the bay are clumps of ironwood and coconut trees and a few houses. The village consists of a scattering of houses around the shores of the bay and along the highway close to the head of the bay. Three miles inland the mountains attain height of over 4000 feet.

Landmarks: Puupoa Point, on the eastern side of the entrance to Hanalei Bay is bluff about 50 feet high, back of which green ridge makes inland. Makahoa Point is a black, rocky point forming the west side of Hanalei Bay. Back of the point is a green gill 714 feet high.

Tender anchorage: Enter midway between the two entrance points on a 157 degrees course and anchor in 6 fathoms, sandy bottom about 1/2 mile from shore. The wharf situated 200 yards south of Hanalei River mouth has 6 feet of water on the southerly side of its outer end.

Importance: Emergency anchorage when calm conditions prevail.