Hanamaulu Bay

Source: Naval Air Pilot, 1936.

DESCRIPTION

Location: Anchor at least 100 yards off the beach. (Lat 22*00′ N., 159*20′ W.).

Depths: 3 to 20 feet.

Tidal range: 1.2 feet.

Character of bottom: Sand and coral.

Currents: Weak.

Shelter: Small open harbor, unprotected except for short break-water. Harbor is untenable during stormy weather.

LANDING AND TAKE-OFF AREA

Location: Hanamaulu Bay or open sea.

Area: Hanamaulu ENE./WSW., 3/8 mile; NW./SE., 3/8 mile. Long take-offs must be made in open sea.

Shelter: Open harbor; hazardous to land large seaplanes inside. Moderate swell is prevailing at all times.

Obstructions: Buoys. Breakers off north point.

FACILITIES

General stores at Lihue 2 miles inland. Water, ordinary gasoline fuel oil is available at the dock.

Beach: Beaching is practicable except during stormy weather.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Aspects: Hanamaulu Bay is 1/4 mile wide and indents the coast 1/2 mile. The shores are low rocky bluffs about 40 feet high except for the white sand beach at the head of the bay.

Landmarks: Kalepa Ridge is 1 mile inland and parallels the coast from Wailua to Hanamaulu. The southern end, which 710 feet high, is marked by white radiotelephone buildings high up on the seaward face of the ridge, 1.5 miles west-northwestward of the bay. Just southward of Kalepa Ridge and 1 mile inland is a mill settlement, the lights of which are prominent at night. Several oil tanks, a large warehouse, and a wharf at Ahukini Landing.

Tender anchorage: Only the outer third of the bay has deep water. The wharf is 210 feet long and has depths from 38 feet at its southwesterly to 25 feet at the northeasterly end. Vessels coming alongside drop their port anchor after rounding the breakwater, run out lines to bow and stern  mooring buoys, and make fast to the wharf starboard side to. There is a heavy surge at the wharf during rough weather.

Health: Hospital located at Lihue

Importance: Emergency seaplane anchorage

Remarks: Plane could be hoisted out from a tender alongside of dock. Not practicable to use Hanamaulu River.