Hanalei for the winter?

[carpathian]

Hey surfer Mags!

I am planning on spending six months in Hawaii starting this coming November or so. Bringing the wife and our 3 year old daughter and looking for somewhere to seriously kick back and soak up the sun! I am 32 and have spent each of those 32 years north of the 49th and my bones are starting to feel old and rickety. That is roughly 16 years of cold temps, all added up and the warm pacific is calling my name.

I have been a die hard skier for ever and could never imagine spending a winter away from sick pow. As of late, however I fell like I am skiing out of routine and the only way to get a rush is by jumping off 50 foot cliff etc. Crave to be a beginner again and think now is the time to start transitioning into the tropical lifestyle. I have attempted surfing less then five times most of the time in 50deg water on this wave which rolls past my front door.


I am building a SUP right now to hit it all summer to practice.

Kind of settled on Kuaui in general but am open to suggestions.

I guess our priorities are nice SUP zones, family friendly, not a city but not the boonies. Local/live music is a big plus. I am really interested in getting a boat job on the water or even get into boat construction/surfboard construcution/fiberglass work. Best harbour/boat town on Kuaui or beyond?

Thinking Hanalei because it looks sweet being able to paddle on the rivers or Kapaa looks like it has more work kicking around on craigslist, any advice would be appreciated!

I am going to the Islands with a humble heart, open eyes and tons of canned and smoked salmon!

[Piggity]

Im not really qualified to answer about Hanalei because I haven't visited Kauai but no one else has chimed in, so I'll give it a shot.

I think it would be a beautiful place to do what you plan on doing. Paradise sometimes comes with some things to consider.

Come November the swell is big, raw and powerful. Being in top swim shape will be a must, your life could depend on it. The men in grey suits are big too. If you're haole, then expect that some people will give you a cold shoulder, others will be warm and welcoming but not everyone. It will rain, a lot. Oahu and Maui seem to be where a lot of mainlanders end up.

Now that I've typed a lot about something I know nothing about, good luck and enjoy. Sounds like a blast.

[Crampedon]

Very small, might be hard to find work. Small town feel but in the sticks, even for Hawaii. My advice would be to take a trip out here first and spend a few days in each possible area before signing up for the season.

I don't know about pre-schools there but here on Maui there are some great ones.

There are also lots of board buiders, canoe builders and tourist charters on Maui, if that industry is what you are after. Look up Euroman (Mark) at dingkings, he builds some amazing boats these days.

He has come along way from fixing ripped out fin boxes from all us hitting coral heads at mach 5!

http://www.sicmaui.com/

[supermodel159]

If you are not planning to work, Hanalei will be great...otherwise you may have a VERY hard time finding work. Winter surf is not mellow at all on the N shore, but you could SUP on the river if you are into that.

Hanalei is a very special place, if you live there and are able to fit in, and make it work...you will never leave.

[carpathian]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I've really been thinking Kuaui in general because I'd never been there, where I've been to Maui 6-8 times on family vacations as a kid. But going there as an adult would be a different story. My wife is trying to get into one of these massage therapist schools and like I said I am real keen on anything boat/water related. Maui could be the ticket. I mostly want to just get acclimated to the tropics and swim/paddle/bike/work everyday etc.

I am familiar with Kihei to Lahaina. Lahaina would be sweet but isn't rent kind of high?

Also real interested in the DH bike scenes. I know there are unique land use issues on the islands and would be like to get involved in trail construction as well... (wrong forum JONG!)

[BraddA]

Hanalei/Haena is truly paradise.
It is small, and might be tough to do year-round for a mainlander. Crampedon is right, the other isles seem to suit most transplants better. Hanalei is wet. Crazy wet. As others have mentioned the surf is pretty raw in the winter. However, for an SUP'er I can't imagine a cooler trek than one parallel to the Kalalau trail (in the summer).

Due to the rain and terrain, riding in Hanalei is nil, though there is some fun stuff elsewhere. The other islands do have a rockin seasonal biking scene.
Kauai in general is pretty mellow, and you likely won't get vibed like you might elsewhere.
The community is super-tight, and highlighted by truly wonderful people. Wonderful people don't necessarily make for a great education, but real Aloha is hard to price. I can't speak to Hanalei specifically, but public education in Hawaii is generally pretty bad. Not Mississippi or S. Carolina bad, but pretty bad.

As small as the island is, you could easily live on the west or south sides and play on the north shore as you wish. It feels less isolated, still plenty cool, and should save you some dough. Of course, you have to visit. The view inland from any point in the bay is ridiculous, feels like it might as well be Tahiti.

[Crampedon]

Ki-hell and Lahaina are out. Tourists, petty crime, punks, traffic.

If you want a nice experiance live in Haiku (near me) or Makawao, Kula, Hailimaile ect. Close to the massage schools too. Great riding nearbye, not just DH but ride up haul ass down. (the kids WALK their bikes up Easy drive to the beach, stores, work ect.

That's why the north shore is over run with bro-bra's, but they don't get in your way if you don't let them.

As BraddA says, the veiws are insane, ocean clean, cool people, clean air...

Lucky we live Hawaii!

[Hugh Conway]

Central America honestly sounds more like what you are looking for than Hawaii.

[Chugachjed]

I was thinking Costa Rica. I've been considering working there in the off season here.

[stenou]

Crampedon's advice re places to live is right on. Tourists go to Kihei and west maui, but definitely a transient feel for living full time. Areas he mentioned way better for full time living. Re Hanalei, remember visiting a place for a week or two is very different than living some place full time and having job/kids.Maui is much bigger than Kauai and has more to offer in terms of variety. Mountains, beaches, etc. Kauai is beautiful, but there could be some issues for living full time.

[carpathian]

Great info! I 've been researching these wwoof farms on Maui, several in Haiku. Looks like cools area. It would be real nice to not get rained on all winter, where ever we are. I guess 80 deg rain is different then 40 deg rain! Everyone says it rains on the north sides in the winter, but compared to Girdwood, how much could it be??!

Met a lady yesterday here in town who just got back from 5 years on maui and she is full of info. Stoked to plan this out and do it right!

[stenou]

Haiku is a nice area. It rains more than a lot of areas of the island, but I would guess not nearly as much as hanalei. It is very pretty and green. I really like the feel of Haiku and upcountry much more than the south and west side. If you can manage it, it would be a more enjoyable experience. IMHO Haiku is an interesting mix of local/mocal, hippie/new agers and regular working people. Pretty good vibe all in all. And it's an easy drive to the north shore surf spots. But again, although many people come for one activity, such as surfing, there is more to life. So, when you're looking for a place to live, I think it's wise to keep in mind that there will be other aspects to life than just that one activity. My 2 cents.

[Crampedon]

Great info! I 've been researching these wwoof farms on Maui, several in Haiku. It would be real nice to not get rained on all winter. right!

Not getting rained on all winter is not an option! Wwoof here is, well I doubt you fit the profile ( Dumb, pierced, female, dreads, tats, 20 years old, broke and dependent on the"farmer")

[Hugh Conway]

I was thinking Costa Rica. I've been considering working there in the off season here.

Save some money and head north to Nica.

[Chugachjed]

Good captain jobs in Nicaragua? I know a guy that owns a fishing lodge in Costa Rica.

[BS720]

Maybe I am confused. What kind of service are you going to be able to provide that a local will not be able to do better(and cheaper)? If boat captain, are you as knowledgeable about the breaks or where the fish are biting as the locals? If Centro, are you fluent in Spanish and Portuguese? If you are independently wealthy, no problem. What about something like Outer Banks? Plenty of water, waves, work, no visas, there are schools. OBX is cheap, too. If only five times surfing, you'd be better off learning there than in Kauai or Maui.

[Chugachjed]

Maybe I am confused. What kind of service are you going to be able to provide that a local will not be able to do better(and cheaper)? If boat captain, are you as knowledgeable about the breaks or where the fish are biting as the locals? If Centro, are you fluent in Spanish and Portuguese? If you are independently wealthy, no problem. What about something like Outer Banks? Plenty of water, waves, work, no visas, there are schools. OBX is cheap, too. If only five times surfing, you'd be better off learning there than in Kauai or Maui.

Talking to me? I was offered a job, not saying I'd be better than a local guide except being of European descent makes rich white clients more comfortable than a knowledgeable local.

[BS720]

^^Sorry, I am exhausted. Just got home last night, been up for 40 hours. I was meaning this for the OP.

[carpathian]

I don't think I am going to offer anything better then a local. That is the point, I want to be a student in a new environment and maybe learn something along the way. i.e being a deck hand. On the other hand I've built a fair amount of dh bike trails and could contribute in that regard. Looking at these bike tours off Haleakala, might be fun random job.

Hugh keeps mentioning Nica. You guys might think this is funny but I have a piece of land here

http://www.loscardones.com/site/index.html

Problem is that it is part of the 'gated community' and we can't just show up and pitch a tent on the land. And don't have cash to build to spec yet... Maybe get a job bartending at the main beach house...?

I'm just thinking out loud now. Wonder what the politics are down there right now?

[BS720]

Not trying to be negative, but my gf was a bartender down there, and averaged $150-200/month. You can make more if the owner doesn't pocket the tips.

[surftb15]

Fuck I just spent a few months in Hanalei. Tunnels / Cannons is one of my favorite places in the world to surf.
Scored big, but the waves can be kind of hardcore and the reef is kind of tough. Surfed on a 6'8 quad and 6'4 thruster. Good times. Now waves are gone in Kauai.

[carpathian]

Just pulled trigger on tickets to Maui mid november until may 1! I got a job building a dh bike park on 70 acres private land just above Lahaina. Stoked beyond imagination.

I have been pulling 65 hour work weeks here wrapping up the alyeska park for season and building new chairlift. It just snowed and I don' t like it. Crave sandals tshirt sand...

[BraddA]

^^^Congrats. Whose land?

[carpathian]

Lahaina Family Farm up on Pukalalei (?) loop road. Nice and arid land backed up to mountainside. Close prox to chill beaches and good coffee! Lots of projects on the go. Can't wait

[Chugachjed]

Damn dude, guess I won't be seeing you at Alyeska this winter. Congratulations.