we used 2 different companies to fly to molokai. Makani Kai on the way, and Blue Hawaiian on the way back. two professional companies that gave us great service. on the way, we forgot our wine/champagne/whisky box back in honolulu. we arrived in molokai and OMG! so Makani Kai flew back to oahu, put our box on a flight to molokai airport, and our box arrived 2 hours later. awesome service! Richard is the owner of Makani Kai. he’s holding the pen as i requested a special once in a lifetime route. the helicopters usually fly to hawaii kai and shoot over to molokai. i asked him if he could take us all the way to makapuu before crossing the channel. the first reason is because makapuu is so freaking beautiful! the second reason is because i’m mapping out my route for the molokai to oahu paddle. after that trip, i know exactly where i will start, and exactly where i will finish. i’ve been looking at molokai off to the horizon on the clear days and i’m ready for the challenge. i want to paddle it alone but a few of my friends said that will be too crazy. so now i’m stuck in a situation.
1. risk my life and paddle across alone like i really want to.
2. paddle across with an escort boat. that will cost me $800.
i’m not sure if my life is worth $800 so i might just end up doing it alone. and i don’t like the fact of a boat on the side of me pressuring me. i want to take that paddle nice and easy. i want to figure out the wind, ride the current, and end where ever i end.
on the way back to oahu, i was looking at the last paddle i did. started off way on the right of the photo behind that mountain, paddled around to the far point on the left. from makapuu to waikiki is about 17 miles, molokai is double that at 32 miles or 53km. my goal is to do it under 7 hours in the most challenging conditions. i want to do it before this year ends so i’ll make it happen somehow.
wanted to thank Gen for thinking of me in japan and bringing me back an omiyage. you’re a cool kid!
