10 GENERAL INFORMATION Hawaii, (NPM; 500 kc.) broadcasts weather reports daily, except Health Service maintains the following station on the Pacific coast Ision and to make the practice uniform, all messages for transmis- America offer free medical service to ships of all countries. observed in a sick member of the crew are promptly forwarded to transmitted to the vessel. No charge is made for the radiotelegraph service on such messages when they are prefixed by "D H Medico. The following is a list of Radiomarine Corporation of America stations located on the Pacific coast: Lat. Bolinas, Calif. (KPH).-500 kc (600 m), 22,100 kc (13 m) A1, A2. Portland, Oreg. (KPK).—500 kc (600 m), A1, A2. Lat. 45°36'18" N. Long. Aberdeen, Wash. (KZE).—500 kc (600 m) B. Lat. 46°59'00'' N. Long. WEATHER Owing to the location of the islands, the climate is equable, the mean monthly temperature at Honolulu varying from 71° in January to 78°.4 in August. In the higher elevations of the larger islands, however, much lower temperatures prevail. During the winter months, snow is often seen on the higher peaks of the island of Hawaii. The meteorological tables in the appendix give the average weather conditions at Honolulu. During the summer months they are almost continuous and usually Winds.-The northeast trade winds prevail throughout the year. veer a little to the north of the average direction. During the winter "konas", the local name for strong southerly or southwesterly winds, inter. The konas, which occasionally occur between October and ril, last from a few hours to two or three days and are attended rain. During the konas all anchorages on the lee side of the ds are unsafe. "Kona weather" is frequently no more than od of light southerly breezes; strong kona storms are rare. While the trade winds are blowing, frequent calms and light variable winds may be found for several miles to leeward of the larger islands. Along the west coast of Hawaii and the south coast of Maui the land and sea breezes are very regular, the wind blowing on shore during the day and offshore at night. In general, fair weather may be expected from May to October. Rainfall. The rainfall in the Hawaiian Islands varies greatly in the different localities and is influenced by the location with respect to winds and mountains. The greatest rainfall is usually found on the windward side of the islands. In general, the winter is the rainy season, although there is no month without some rain. From observations made at different stations it is found that the amount of rainfall often varies greatly at the same station for the same months in different years or for the total rainfall of different years. In the vicinity of Mount Waialeale, Kauai, there is an annual rainfall of over 400 inches, while the island of Kahoolawe receives scarcely enough rain to support vegetation. FOG does not occur around the islands, and except for rain squalls, mist, and haze, there is no thick weather. The mountains on the islands, however, are often obscured by clouds. Storm warnings.-No storm warnings are displayed in the Hawaiian Islands, but special forecasts are made from the Weather Bureau station at Honolulu. Mariners and others may have their barometers compared with standards at that station, which is located in the Federal Building. TIDES The periodic tides in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands are usually small, the average rise and fall being from 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m). The high-water intervals vary from 2 to 334 hours, and, in general, the tides occur from about 1 to 12 hours earlier along the northern coasts than they do along the southern coasts of the islands. Tide tables for the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, including the Hawaiian Islands, are published annually in advance by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. This volume furnishes, at the nominal cost of 25 cents, full tidal data for the Pacific coast of North America and the island groups, as well as for the Indian Ocean. It contains a table of full daily predictions of the times and heights of high and low waters for certain reference or standard ports, including the port of Honolulu, and also tidal differences for a number of other places in the Hawaiian Islands. Full explanations for the use of the tables are given in the volume. The minus sign before the predicted heights in the tide tables indicates that the water is below the plane of reference, which is mean lower low water. Caution. In using the Tide Tables, slack water should not be confounded with high or low water. For ocean stations there is usually but little difference between the time of high or low water and the beginning of ebb or flood currents; but for places in narrow channels, landlocked harbors, or on tidal rivers the time of slack current may differ by 2 or 3 hours from the time of high or low water stand, and local knowledge is required to enable one to make the proper allowance for this delay in the condition of tidal currents. The figures given in tables 1 and 2 of the Tide Tables are the times of high and low water, and these times are not necessarily the times of slack water. CURRENTS The currents, as a rule, are influenced by the direction and strength of the trade winds. In general, in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands, there is a westerly set due to the prevailing northeasterly trade winds. In the channels between the larger islands, however, the currents are tidal, but are influenced both by the wind and the positions of the islands in respect to one another. The currents seem to rotate in a clockwise direction around the small islets to the westward of the main group, but a few miles away from them the prevailing set is westerly. DESCRIPTIONS AND SAILING DIRECTIONS HAWAII (CHART 4115) the largest of the islands, is at the southeast end of the group. It is irregular in shape, resembling a triangle, and has a greatest length of 83 miles north and south and a greatest width of 73 miles. The island is dominated by the two principal peaks, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, each almost 14,000 feet (4,267 m) high, from the summits of which the land slopes gradually to the coast, with occasional cinder cones and lesser peaks intervening. In the central western part of the island Mount Hualalai rises to an altitude of 8,269 feet (2,520 m), while in the northwestern part Mount Kohala, elevation 5,505 feet (1,678 m), dominates the Kohala Peninsula. Hawaii, being the youngest of the islands, shows evidences of recent volcanic activity in the numerous lava flows, some of which reach the coast, and in the various cinder cones dotting the slopes. The only active volcanoes in the Hawaiian group, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, are located on this island. Population. By the census of 1930 Hawaii had 73,325 inhab itants. Winds. The easterly trade winds seem to divide at Cape Kumukahi, part following the coast northwestward around Upolu Point, where it loses its force, the other part following the southeast coast around Kalae, where it loses its force. On the west coast of Hawaii, except at Mahukona, the sea breeze sets in about 9 a.m. and continues until after sundown, when the land breeze then springs up. Vessels from westward bound to ports on the windward side of Hawaii should pass close to Upolu Point and keep near the coast, as the wind is generally much lighter than offshore. Sailing vessels from westward bound to ports on the eastern side of Hawaii should keep well northward until clear of Alenuihaha Channel. During the trades the Hamakua coast (northeast) is frequently clouded over in the early morning, with clear weather a mile or two offshore; but when the breeze picks up, about 9 a.m., the clouds ar driven inland, Rainfall. The rainfall of the island of Hawaii varies greatly in different localities. The largest amount is found along the windward side. There is moderate rainfall on the Kona district highlands, while a little reaches the Kau district and the west coast. Anchorages are numerous except on the northeast and southeast coasts, the first requirements under ordinary conditions being shelter from the northeast trades. In many places, however, the coast is steep-to and anchorage is impracticable. Highways.-There is an automobile highway entirely around the island. Telephone. There is communication by telephone to all parts of the island and by radio and radiotelephone to the other islands and to the mainland of the United States. Currents. Generally the currents follow the trades, but occasionally they set against the wind. A current follows the coast north of Cape Kumukahi around Upolu Point; another one follows the trend of the coast offshore southwestward from Cape Kumukahi around Kalae and northward as far as Upolu Point. There is also a countercurrent inshore that sets southward from Okoe Landing along the west coast around Kalae and thence northeastward along the shore as far as Keauhou. Northward from Okoe Landing the prevailing current inshore is northerly and at times quite strong. NORTHEAST COAST OF HAWAII (CHART 4115) From Upolu Point to Cape Kumukahi, a distance of 80 miles, the coast has a general southeasterly trend; it is only partially surveyed, but is generally bold. The only known outlying dangers are shoals off Kauhola Point, off Honokaneiki Gulch, and Blonde Reef in Hilo Bay. All dangers will be avoided by giving the coast a berth of about 2 miles. There are no harbors or sheltered anchorages on this coast except Hilo Bay. At some of the landings freight is handled by local vessels by means of a wire cable. When running the coast at night, it will be found that the electric lights of the various sugar mills define the coast fairly well. Upolu Point, the northernmost point of Hawaii, is hard to identify. There are numerous bluffs, forming headlands, in the vicinity, all of which are quite similar from seaward. The country back of the point is covered with sugarcane, and here and there may be seen clumps of trees, among which are generally situated the camps and villages. The camps are high up on the bluffs and at night the lights are visible for a considerable distance. There is an abandoned mill stack at Hawi, midway between Upolu and Kauhola Points and 1 mile inland. The stack is grayish in color and may be seen from offshore. Kauhola Point, 7 miles eastward of Upolu Point, is a low point of land marked by a flashing red and green light, off which a dangerous reef, generally marked by breakers, extends 1/3 mile. Vessels should give this point a berth of 1 mile. A fair anchorage, used by local vessels, can be had in Awaeli Harbor, in 9 fathoms (16.5 m), with Kauhola Point light bearing 90° true (E. by N. mag.), distant 11⁄2 mile. Protection can be had here for vessels forced to leave anchorages on the west coast during strong kona storms. In leaving this anchorage, bound eastward, steer 10° true (N. mag.) for 14 miles to clear the 166211°-33- -2 reef. Kohala, the principal village of the vicinity, is located a mile inland from the light. Keokea (white) Harbor, 111⁄2 miles southeast of Kauhola Point, is an abandoned shipping point. It cannot be recommended as an anchorage when the trade winds are blowing. Niulii Plantation, about 1 mile southeast of the harbor, is the eastern terminus of the Hawaii Railway, which is engaged in the transportation of freight from the various plantations along the Kohala coast to Mahukona. Akokoa Point, 3 miles eastward of Kauhola Point, marks the easterly limits of the sugar plantations in the Kohala district. Southeastward of this point the country has the appearance of a large tableland, rising gradually to the Kohala Mountains, which are heavily wooded to their summits. The coast between Akokoa Point and Waipio Gulch, a distance of about 10 miles, consists of numerous precipices, ranging in heights up to 1,300 feet (396 m), and deep gorges that extend back into the country. There are also numerous waterfalls. The faces of the precipices present a general brownish appearance, although in places they are covered with vegetation from the top to the sea. Pololu Gulch, 1 mile south of Akokoa Point, is the westernmost gorge. Rice is cultivated in this valley. Two small detached rocks lie 250 yards offshore from the east edge of the gulch. Honokane Gulch, 1⁄2 mile from Pololu Gulch, is used somewhat for taro raising. Honokaneiki Gulch, 111⁄2 miles southeast from Akokoa Point, is a narrow gulch opening into a narrow bay that affords good protection and landing facilities for small boats. A rock awash at low water lies 12 mile offshore and 134 miles southeast from Akokoa Point. The southerly end of the rock is awash at low water, while the northerly end, 80 yards distant, has a depth of 23 feet (7 m). The depth of the surrounding water is from 12 to 14 fathoms (21.9 to 25.6 m). Two small rocky islands, the larger having a height of 230 feet (70 m), are situated 300 yards offshore, about 3/4 mile east of Honokaneiki Gulch. Between Akokoa Point and these two islands the bottom is fairly regular and slopes gradually from the coast to the 20-fathom (37 m) curve, about 3/4 mile offshore. Anchorage may be had in offshore winds in depths from 7 to 20 fathoms (12.8 to 37 m). Six miles beyond Akokoa Point is a rounding point projecting 300 yards beyond the cliff line and is the result of a landslide from the cliffs. Small boats sometimes land on the smooth shingle beach about 200 yards west of the house situated near the westerly end of the point. This place is sometimes referred to as Laupahoehoe, but must not be confused with Laupahoehoe Point and village, 26 miles farther eastward. Waimanu Valley, 7 miles from Akokoa Point, cuts through the highest cliffs in the vicinity and ranks second in size among the gulches of this coast. The bay fronting the valley may be used as anchorage in favorable weather. A depth of 7 fathoms (12.8 m) is obtained 1/4 mile offshore just off the middle of the gulch. A rounding point extending 300 yards beyond the cliff line between Waimanu Valley and Waipio Gulch was formed by a landslide about 1910, |