Ho'okipa is the prime North Shore surf and windsurf spot on Maui. When the windz are calm the surfers are out. When the trades blow, the sailors are out. It's a swell magnet that can pull waves from almost any angle; so it's almost always breaking. Except when I was there in February, 2002.

There are many individual breaks at Ho'okipa. Pavilions is along the East side of the bay, sheltered from the trades by the cliffs. It is a relatively easy wave, and a lot of fun. There's a safe channel for ez access and paddling.

Across this channel is Middles, with short rights and long lefts. Both are heavier waves than Pavilions, and both can hold a bigger swell before closing out.

At the other end of the bay lies The Point, subject of previous mayhem for DogMan. It also breaks left and right; the right is a superior wave, but the stakes are higher than for the left. The wicked reef at the tip of the point, combined with swirling currents will eat boards and slice surfers. The left has a nice channel for access. Across this channel, back toward mid beach is The Lane. This break is for those with brass cojones only!

In between Middles and The Lane are two more breaks. green Trees, and H-Poko.

Here's an account of the day I took these pix of Ho'okipa:

Got up super early, hoping for some fresh Maui juice. Loaded the rental car and drove to the North shore. Got there about 545AM; even in the darkness I could tell the trades were howling out of control and the ocean was flat. Hard to believe, given the high surf advisory that was in effect. Weighing my options, it seemed best to drive East beyond Paia to check Ho'okipa. That spot is completely exposed to all swells except from the South. Even with hard blowing trades, it can be surfable at Pavilions, one of the breaks at Ho'okipa.

Well, I have never in all my times on Maui seen it so completely flat out there! Of course I only visit the Valley Isle in the Winter, and Summer time is routinely flat as a mirror on the North Shore. It was one to three feet maximum, and crumbling and disorganized in the high trades. I stood on the bluff awhile willing waves to come, but none did. Finally I drove back south to Kihei for coffee and breakfast.

Later that morning, C and I drove out of Kihei, shopping on the way. Then we drove back to Ho'okipa where I photographed the area and the decoys in the water pretending to surf. The flat conditions were rather noteworthy, and still make a column for the DogMan Chronicles.

If you go to Maui and find substantial surf at Ho'okipa, please use respect and caution! This is hallowed turf for the agro locals, and they undoubedly surf way better than you, especially at this spot. There are sooooo many dangers to overcome, and you won't be familiar with them. Take your time, observe and talk with the surfers. Do as they do, and do what they tell you. Hey this is in your best interest! You want to have some fun, feel good about yourself, and get out of the water on your own terms, with your body and your board intact. Nothing ruins a tropical surf vacation like a good reef tatoo! On the other hand, there is no more thrilling spot you can surf while on Maui, unless maybe you wanna take on Jaws? No I didn't think so.

CU Out There,

DogMan