It's Been a Long Time

I'm back after a almost a year. Half that time was spent on the mainland without any snorkel opportunities. The rest was taken up getting our house fixed up to put on the market. Of course that was a waste of time and money because no one is buying regular houses in Maui if they're not foreclosures or short sales. So it looks like I'll be here for a while and might as well write about it. Besides, the snorkeling is good!

Makena Landing, Sunday 07/25/2010 Only 3 of us bowlegged women showed up. The honu were everywhere and the little Morish Idols were just idoling along. I saw the biggest barracuda ever. amazing.

Kapalua Bay

Kapalua Bay on Maui’s north shore is a prime snorkeling spot during the summer months when the south shores are experiencing frequent ocean swells and increased wave action. In the winter the reverse is generally true though good snorkeling conditions can occur at Kapalua Bay even then. The bay is protected by rocky outcrops on both sides which help break the ocean waves and provide a good environment for reef fish to congregate. The beach is a sandy crescent with lots of room for sunbathing. It is bordered by a grassy area with palm trees that provide a modest amount of shade. Behind the beach are the Ritz Carlton Club and Residences, adding to the general beauty of the bay area.

Snorkeling
Entry into the water can be made from any point on the beach, but is best at either end of the crescent. There is a rock shelf running along the center of the beach just into the water making getting in or out of the water slippery and generally difficult. The best snorkeling is along the rocks on both sides of the bay. The bay provides a relatively safe environment for beginners to enjoy the water and the beautiful tropical fish while improving their skills. You will see a variety of reef fish in the bay and may even see a squid family hovering near the surface. During my last swim in the bay, I saw a small barracuda and an orange and black juvenile wrasse that resembles a clown fish.

Facilities
There are outdoor showers at the south end of the beach and a hose at the north end. Also at the north end is an ocean activities vendor with beach rentals including snorkeling equipment. Restrooms and outdoor showers are located at the parking lot entrance to the beach. Since this is Kapalua, there is also an upscale restaurant located at the beach’s south end on the point overlooking the sea. Bring plenty of money if you go there after your swim.

Life Guards
There are no life guards at this beach. Remember to swim with a buddy.
Skill Level:Beginner to Advanced

Parking
There is a medium capacity parking lot located behind the south end of the beach. Parking is first come, first serve and fills up fast. Come early to get a spot. If the lot is full, you can park along the roadside on Lower Honoapiilani Rd., just outside the entrance to the parking lot.

Location and Driving Directions
Kapalua Bay is located on the north shore of the west Maui promontory. It is across from the Kapalua Golf Course, off the Lower Honoapiilani Hwy. To reach the beach, enter the parking lot and locate the restrooms. To the right and a little in front of the restroom building, there are stairs down to a walkway. Take the stairs to the walkway and continue through the pedestrian tunnel to the beach.

Driving Directions from Kapalua, HI to Kapalua Bay, about 1 mi – about 5 minutes
Drive southeast on the Lower Honoapiilani Hwy to Kapalua Bay, a mile or less depending on your starting point. Landmarks are the Kapalua sign on at the south entrance and the Napili Kai Resort.

Driving Directions from Lahaina Wharf in Lahaina, HI to Kapalua Bay
9.8 miles – about 20 minutes
Head northwest on Front Street for 243 feet; turn right at Dickenson Street for .3 miles. Take the 3rd left onto Honoapiilani Hwy/ State Hwy 30 and proceed for 8.3 miles. Turn left onto Napilihau St. for .3 miles. Turn right at Lower Honoapiilani Rd for .9 miles. Turn left into Kapalua Bay public parking lot immediately after the Napilii Kai Resort.

Driving Directions from Azeka Shopping Center in Kihei, HI to Kapalua Bay
31 miles – about 53 minutes
Head north on South Kihei Road for 2.5 miles. Turn left at the traffic light onto N. Kihei Road and proceed for 3.4 miles. Turn left onto Honoapiilani Hwy/ State Hwy 30 and proceed for 23.8 miles. Turn left onto Napilihau St. for .3 miles. Turn right at Lower Honoapiilani Rd for .9 miles. Turn left into Kapalua Bay public parking lot immediately after the Napilii Kai Resort.

Interesting Stuff
The Kapalua Coastal Trail access starts at the entrance to the Kapalua Bay. “The Kapalua Coastal Trail stretches 3.5 miles along the West Maui coastline. It links existing public shoreline access points and facilities into a continuous, linear trail, thereby greatly increasing lateral public shoreline access. Connected coastal recreational areas include: Kapalua Bay, Oneloa Bay, D.T. Fleming Beach Park, Mokule‘ia Bay, and Honolua Bay. Two spur trails allow trail users to detour off the main route to experience unique places, such as Hawea Point and Namalu Bay, and an arboretum of Hawaiian plants…
Rewards for Kapalua Coastal Trail users include dramatic vistas of the shoreline and neighboring
islands, and exposure to important aspects of Hawaiian culture, geology, and plant and animal
life.” 2007 APA Awards Program Hawaii Chapter, award announcement

Yesterday, I had a glorious swim at "Canoe Beach". The bowlegged women were not in full force and the primary focus was the canoe regatta. Suzanne and Lea were both competing with their respective crews and divisions. Paula, Lea and myself met at the beach around 10:30. The canoe races had been underway for a couple of hours and the first announcement that greeted us was that there were a school of ten dolphins swimming with the competing canoes in the race lane. They could easily have won the gold medal had they not been distracted with their juvenile antics of leaping out of the water and "spinning"! Guess that is what spinner dolphins DO. We entered the water and swam to the left. The water was crystal clear and there were big boulders on the bottom to provide glorious nooks and crannies for a myriad of reef fish. The colors were awesome as the sunlight shone through the clear water------purples, blues, greens, yellows, reds, oranges. A big turtle swam up to check us out early on and glided along for a few yards with us before he swam on his merry way. It was a great swim followed by a fun day at the beach watching the races and "talking story" with friends! This is our LIFE and I appreciate every moment and realize what a blessing it is. Thanks bowlegged women! Lynn

The Women at MM 14

Hanaka'o'o (Canoe) Beach Lahaina

Today the "Women" snorkeled Hanaka'o'o Beach aka: Canoe Beach in Lahaina. Lea and Suzy paddled in a regatta hosted by the Lahaina Canoe Club and the rest of us came along for a swim and a picnic and to celebrate Lynn's birthday. Happy Birthday Lynnie!!!!

Lahaina’s Hanaka’o’o Beach is a beautiful sandy, crescent beach extending for several hundred feet to the west of the entrance. There is a grassy beach park rimming the beach with picnic tables and outdoor grills.

Snorkeling
A small sandy beach to the south of the entrance is the snorkeling entry point. This can be a hard entry into the water depending on the wave action (I know from personal experience). Be careful of submerged rocks a few feet into the water. Once you’ve cleared the beach, turn left and the snorkeling is fine. Snorkeling is best and safest along the rocks that line the shoreline to the south of the beach entry. You will find turtles of all sizes swimming along this shore. Today two medium-sized turtles found us as we were swimming back to shore. They checked us out and went on their way. Common fish in this area include Moorish Idols and Coronet Fish and wrasses of all kinds. Suzie saw her favorite fish today, the juvenile of a common wrasse, blue, yellow and fuschia with irridescent spots, beautiful.

Facilities
A restroom sits at the end of the beach nearest the highway, including an outdoor shower.

Life Guards
Yes. This beach is guarded by Maui County Life Guards from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

Skill Level:Intermediate to Advanced Swimmer

Parking
The beach has ample parking in the lot behind the restrooms, along the access road and at the cemetery across the access road. If these are full, go south on the highway about two blocks and turn right into the parking lot for the north end of the Wahikuli Beach Park. Park your car, then walk along the water’s edge back to the beach.

Location and Driving Directions
The Hanaka’o’o Beach Park is located off the Honoapiilani Highway, just south of Kaanapali Parkway. You can most easily find it by looking for a cemetery on the makai (ocean) side of the highway. There is a left turn lane on the highway to help you enter the beach drive.

Driving Directions from Kapalua, HI to Hanaka’o’o Beach, Lahaina, HI 7.5 miles – about 15 minutes
Take Honoapiilani Hwy/ State Hwy 30 southwest for 6.4 miles (past Kaanapali Parkway) and turn right into Hanaka’o’o Beach.

Driving Directions from Lahaina Wharf to Hanakao’o Beach, Lahaina, HI
3.4 miles – about 10 minutes
Head northwest on Front Street for 243 feet; turn right at Dickenson Street for .3 miles. Take the 3rd left onto Honoapiilani Hwy/ State Hwy 30 and proceed for 3 miles to Hanaka’o’o Beach.

Driving Directions from Azeka Shopping Center, Kihei, HI to Hanaka’o’o Beach, Lahaina, HI25 miles – about 45 minutes
Head north on South Kihei Road for 2.5 miles. Turn left at the traffic light onto N. Kihei Road and proceed for 3.4 miles. Turn left onto Honoapiilani Hwy/ State Hwy 30 and proceed for 18.7 miles to Hanaka’o’o Beach.

Interesting Stuff
The Lahaina Canoe Club is a member of the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Club Association. The Association members are non-profit organizations dedicated to the preservation of the ancient Hawaiian tradition of outrigger canoe racing and passing the art of canoe paddling to the next generations. The Lahaina Canoe Club owns The Lehia, the last ocean-worthy outrigger racing canoe made from a single piece of koa wood. Three times a season, in June and July, the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association holds its Saturday regatta at Canoe Beach. The canoe clubs race almost every Saturday during the summer season at various venues around the island. The events last all day and feature canoe races, food and lots of local color. To get a schedule of the races, visit http://mauipaddlers.homestead.com/mchca.html

Title Song

Here are the lyrics to the song "I Love to Go Swimmin' with Bowlegged Women". This song is really old. There are rag-time versions of it on the web and I'm trying to find an audio file to put on this blog. To get an idea of the tune, think of "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man" but less grating.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, IIIIIIIIII...Love to go swimmin' with bow legged women, I do, I do, I do...!
I love to go swimmin' with bow legged women, don't you, don't you, don't you...!

CHORUS: I love to go swimmin'...I do, I do...with bow legged women, don't you, don't you...I love to go swimming with bow legged women I do, I do I dooooo...!
****OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...IIIIIIIIIIIIIII...>>>>>

2. Love to go swimmin', with bow legged women and swim between their legs...! I love to go swimming with bow legged women and swim between their legs...!

CHORUS: I love to go swimmin'...I do, I do...with bow legged women, don't you, don't you...I love to go swimming with bow legged women I do, I do I dooooo...!