Kaumalapau Harbor

Source: Naval Air Pilot, 1936.

DESCRIPTION

Location: Restricted anchorage in the lee of the breakwater. (Lat. 20*47′ N., long. 157*00′ W.).

Depths: 5 to 54 feet.

Tidal range: 2.2 feet.

Character of bottom: Mud and rocks.

Currents: Weak.

Shelter: Best harbor on Lanai in all but westerly weather; small lee.

LANDING AND TAKE-OFF AREA

Location: Kaumalapau Harbor or open sea.

Area: Kaumalapau Harbor, restricted. Long take-offs must be made in open sea.

Shelter: Small lee.

Obstructions: Buoys. Rocks and reefs close ashore.

FACILITIES

Provisions and water can be obtained in limited quantities. Good machine shop at Lanai City.

Beach: No beach.

Communications: Radio station, call letters KHN. Good radio to Lanai City 5 miles in land.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Aspects: Kaumalapau Harbor is a small bight at the mouth of the most prominent gulch in the vicinity.

Landmarks: Groups of silvered-colored oil tanks, 100 yards in from the wharf and on high ground. Few houses among clumps of trees on bluff above the harbor.

Tender anchorage: There is not room for large vessels within the breakwater, and local steamers anchor off the harbor; boats are used to land passengers and freight. An indifferent anchorage can be had in about 22 fathoms sand and coral bottom, with the breakwater light bearing 64 degrees and 300 yard distant.

The wharf, which is in back of the breakwater, has 28 feet of water alongside.

Importance: Emergency seaplane anchorage. The coast of Lanai is of little operating value to aircraft.

Remarks: Best place to land, but only in emergency.