Press release: Maui to O'ahu by Kite Power
July 8, 2008
On July 26th-27th, 8 kiteboarders will attempt a first-time channel crossing from the island of Maui to the island of O'ahu. The 100 mile route will take two days to complete as a non-competitive team event. The first leg will start from Ho'okipa beach on Maui's north shore and go to Kaunakakai, Moloka'i. On the second day the riders will depart from Kaluako'i beach on Molokai and head to Kailua, O'ahu.
"The route is treacherous", says Paul Franco, the leader of the expedition and a kiteboarding veteran, "the wind can really nuke at one moment and then back off the next". And then there is the possibility of shark encounters. According to Paul, the previous year's Maui to Moloka'i crossing event got close to some feeding frenzies, marked by diving seabirds and churning water. "You definitely don't want the wind to die off when you're near those areas".
Although the event has support boats, Paul is adamant that he'll either be kiteboarding or swimming for it. "Sometimes you just need to drift and wait for the winds to pick up again so you can get your kite back in the air". Paul and the other riders will be hoping for good wind for their July event.
Paul says the event is a tribute to the original Hawaiian seafarers, who harnessed renewable wind power to routinely travel between the islands of Hawai'i as well as around the Pacific. "We will be doing all the major Hawaiian island channels in coming years, including the notorious Big Island to Maui crossing through the 'Alenuihaha channel". More information about the Hawai'i Kite Crossing, including future event plans, is available on their website, HawaiiKiteCrossing.com.
The event is not-for-profit with all donations after-cost going to the Molokai Youth in Motion charity. Paul and the other riders send a very big Mahalo (Thank you!) to their sponsors:
1-808-357-4976
Paul@HawaiiKiteCrossing.com
Welcome | The Team | Sponsor Us | Buy T-shirt | Sponsors | Forum | Press | 2007 movie | 2007 photos | Contact us
|
