0226

Pia's sister Birgitta and their friend Maila arrived Thursday night.  Friday AM I went paragliding and the Finish ladies each took a tandem flight.  In the afternoon, we went on a whale watch ride on a big zodiac.  The whale watching is more fun than I expected.  I thought we'd be cruising around looking for whales and maybe see one.  It's not like that at all.  There are whales all over the place.  You just drive up in the boat and follow them around.  Typically it's a mom and calf with a male escort. 

Today, back over to Lahaina where they all took surfing lessons.  I tried surfing again and drank a lot of sea water.  I did get up once.  I think I don't have the best board to learn on.  I need a pretty good sized wave to get going on and once I'm going, I'm wishing I was on a smaller wave.  After surfing, we had lunch and drove home around the north end of the island and today was shot.  There was no wind in Lahaina but on the north shore it was blowing about 15 or so.  I could see some kites flying over at kite beach when we got home but it was too late for me to run over and launch a kite.

Back to work in the morning.  Hasn't been any real wind since I can't even remember when.  I think we're about due.  It's been "voggy" here for a couple of weeks also.  That should clear out at least temporarily Wednesday when the wind comes around to the NE.

0219

I moved last Thursday.  Pia arrived last Friday.  I lost my internet connection when I moved.  Just got it back yesterday.  The only things that we've done worth mentioning is we took a hike up the Waihee ridge trail.  It's just a  little over 2 miles up, then back down.  We arrived at the top just as the clouds covered it.  We also paddled kayaks out to look at whales.  Got a real close look at one huge whale as it slowly drifted towards us then went under expertly avoiding touching any kayaks.  There are always whales jumping and splashing in the distance.  We went snorkeling on that same excursion.  As soon as you get under water, you can hear the whales.  Did a waterfall hike yesterday.  The trail went though a bamboo forest, up boulders in the stream bed and then a swim to the final waterfall.  I thought everything was going to get wet so only took my waterproof cell phone for pictures.  Haven't yet figured out how to get the pics from the phone to the computer.  I think they are pretty crappy anyway.  Finally got to try surfing today.  The waves were pretty good size (about 4-5'), but I only got moving once and that was backwards.  No wind since I can't remember when.

0207-15

Today was kind of a normal wind sports day.  When I got to the beach after work the wind was blowing about 15 and people were out on 12's.  There was a nice breeze right on the beach.  By the time I got my kite ready to go, there was barely enough wind to launch and it fell out of the sky and wouldn't relaunch.  Then it rained real hard for about 15 minutes.  All the kites on the water were in the water during and after the rain.  I rolled up the kite and about 10lbs of sand in the kite bag and left.

From home I can see a large area of fog downwind of Hookipa.  There are 20 footers today and even though it's not very windy, it looks like the spray's blowing downwind for miles.  I think that in fact, the humidity is about 100% and the spray lowers the local air temp enough to cause a light fog.  It looks cool anyway.

Got the keys to the new place today.  It's going to be a perfect location.  Close to work and real close to the beach.  Nice place too.

0206-10

Yesterday I had to go to Kihei to look at some furniture.  Wasn't supposed to be any wind so I took the surfboard.  There were no waves down there but the wind was decent.  Would have had fun with the 13 if I had had it.  Today the wind was predicted to be south again but stronger so I got my kites back in the car as I headed out to get a couch on the other side of the island.  No wind today.  Might have been able to use the surfboard if I'd had it along.  Oh well, got a couch anyway and it was free.

With the southeasterly breezes that we've had the air has been very hazy.  They call it vog here.  It looks just like smog but it's from the volcano on the big island.

Paraglided yesterday.  Today it was canceled because the wind at the site was squirrelly.

0203-20

Wind was pretty good until I got off work when it died.  Bought a surfboard today.  I think I've got all the toys I need for a while now.  All I need now is furniture.

0202-15

Didn't even go to the beach today.  Had to go check out a rental unit.  It looks pretty good and I should be moving in a couple of weeks.  The new place has 2 bedrooms and is across the street from the ocean and just down the street from a beach park where I'm told the surfing can be pretty good. The beach is definitely windsurfable.  Kiting might be possible but it's a narrow b each and you,d probably have to stand in the water to launch.  The picture is yesterday at Naish beach.

0201-20

Went out after work on a 9m kite.  Wind was averaging about 20 but with some holes.  Surf was pretty big.  I sneaked out between the waves and practiced turns on the outside.  Got surprised a couple of times sailing in too far and turning into a wave without looking behind me before a turn.  Lots of kites and windsurfers out today.  Trying to find a place to stay is getting pretty frustrating.  Today's picture was going to be just another day at the beach with a bunch of kites, but the camera's in the car and that pic's been done already.