Ho'kipa 1 - Mike nil

I’m sure that there is a travellers moto regarding making the most of buffet food, and if not there should be! Expedia.com did us proud with the Maui accomodation by getting a good rate on the budget (but more than adequate) hotel, and then throwing in breakfast as well.

Sustained for the morning, we headed off to the town of Paia, home to yogis, and guru’s of a wide range of beliefs. The town is identified in the guidebooks for its quirkiness, and we both liked the ramshackle nature of the place. There is also a complete absence of chain shops and restaraunts, which is very welcome and must be practically unique in the US.

Paia is the nearest town to Ho’kipa, perhaps the best known windsurfing beach in the world.

The wind and waves looked good, and shortly after 11am a couple of very handy sailors went out. (Apparently before 11 there is no windsurfing allowed - a rule enforced very rigorously by the local surfers....)

Fortunately discretion overtook valour and I decided not to venture out. The sandy launch area is tiny, and the light winds close in to the shore made a trip to the jagged rocks look almost inevitable. I decided to head back to Kanaha for a 3+ hour session on the same kit as the day before. The wind was much the same, but the waves were just a bit lower, meaning that my sailing was a little more controlled, but still great fun.



Ho'Kipa