Ho’okipa

Surf Guide

While wind/kitesurfing and surfing don't usually play well together, Ho'okipa Beach Park, on Maui's north-central coast, is the exception to the rule. With an unobstructed window to the North Pacific, Ho'okipa can pump out some serious surf in the winter months -- best for surfers in the early morning hours when the predominant East-Northeast trade wind has yet to flair up. Ho'okipa consists of four different spots: Pavilions: The most easterly spot, just below the Ho'okipa Lookout. Pavilions is predominantly a right-hander and is a better choice for surfers. Middles: Heading west from Pavilions is Middles, the main spot for surfers. The wave breaks both right and left, though the lefts handle the wind better. H'Poko, or Point: Located on the west end of Ho'okipa Beach, Point offers up fun right-handers in the morning but becomes the sole domain of the wind/kitesurfers in the afternoon. Lane: Just west of Ho'okipa Beach is Wana Beach, where Lane is located. You can pick off both rights and lefts but, like Point, Wana gets blown to bits in the afternoon.