KUKUIHAELE LANDING

15

leaving a bare, yellow scar on the face of the bluff that is quite prominent from offshore.

Waipio Gulch, the largest along this coast, is 3 miles from Waimanu Valley. It is a remarkable opening in the bluffs and is easily recognized by the sheer sides. Rice is grown here and a small village is situated near the mouth. Anchorage may be had in favorable weather conditions in 7 to 9 fathoms (12.8 to 16.5 m) 1/4 mile offshore, either off the mouth of the valley or under the bluffs to the eastward, but not beyond Honokaape Landing, located 3/4 mile beyond the east edge of the valley. There is a small breakwater at the landing which was built for the barging of rock for the Hilo breakwater. It has been damaged by seas, and offers practically no protection.

From Waipio Gulch the precipices become lower until, at Kukuihaele Landing, 2 miles distant, the coast is a comparatively low bluff from 30 to 300 feet (9.1 to 91 m) high. Between Waipio Gulch and Hilo the country to an elevation of about 2,000 feet (610 m) is covered with sugarcane. Beyond this, extending upward toward Mauna Kea, it is wooded to an elevation of about 2,600 feet (792 m), and from here up the mountains present a barren appearance. During the winter months Mauna Kea is frequently snowcapped.

Kukuihaele Landing (chart 4162), 2 miles eastward of Waipio Gulch, is marked by a flashing white light 400 yards east of the large cable house which stands at the rim of the 250-foot (76 m) cliff. The shore line is made up of huge bowlders strewn along the foot of sheer cliffs. Steamers moor to privately owned buoys and handle freight over two cables; sugar loading can be maintained at the rate of 170 tons per hour. Unless it is calm, steamers leave the mooring buoys at night and anchor off Waipio Gulch, 2 miles westward. A line of ocean-going steamers calls here regularly for sugar.

Honokaa Landing (chart 4162), 5 miles southeastward of Kukuihaele Landing, is marked by the foundations of the landing buildings and three black oil tanks on the low bluff, the cable house and warehouses having been destroyed by fire. Southeastward and close to the landing is a high trestle over a gulch. A mill is located 1 mile southward of the landing and its lone white stack can be seen among a large clump of trees. A reef, over which the sea usually breaks, extends for 170 yards northward from the landing foundations. There are several bare, detached rocks on the reef, but these do not mark its offshore limits. There is no shelter here during normal weather, as it is open to the north and east. Oil tankers call infrequently, but the landing is no longer used for general freight. Paauhau Landing, 2 miles southeastward of Honokaa, is marked by the white masonry of the inclined railway which leads from the landing to the top of the bluff. A mill with a prominent tall stack is situated on the bluff just south of the landing. A deep gulch makes in on each side of the mill, and the southern one is spanned by a trestle. A 1,000-foot (305 m) loading wire leads from the large cable house on the cliff to the mooring buoys. Local steamers call here regularly for freight. They moor to the buoys, heading about 78° true (ENE. mag.), in from 6 to 9 fathoms (11 to 16.5 m). When approaching the mooring buoys, anchors are dropped in deeper water to the northward to assist in departing. The shore

consists of rocks and ledges, over which the seas break constantly, at the foot of steep cliffs. The small concrete boat landing at the foot of the masonry incline offers but little protection from the northeast trades.

Paauilo is a village about 5 miles southeastward of Paauhau and 1 mile inland. It is the western terminus of the Hawaii Consolidated Railway. This railroad handles all freight between Paauilo and Hilo. All wire landings between these points formerly used have been abandoned. A mill with dark-colored stack is located near the top of the bluff and directly seaward from the village.

Koholalele, 6 miles southeastward of Paauhau, is an abandoned landing. The remains of the old landing are not conspicuous from seaward.

Kukaiau, about 3/4 mile southeastward of Koholalele, has been abandoned as a mill site and landing. The buildings and stack have been destroyed. The bluffs are higher and more thickly covered with vegetation than those northwestward.

Ookala mill, 3/2 miles southeastward of Kukaiau, is on the edge of the bluff on the south side of a deep gulch, which is spanned by a high railroad trestle. The red-roofed plantation houses are situated both north and south of the mill and are noticeable for their regular arrangement. At night the rows of bright lights of the settlement are conspicuous.

Kaawalii Gulch, about 11⁄2 miles southeast from Ookala mill, is V-shaped. There is a pumping station with black stack close to the beach. The country back of the coast line changes slightly in appearance in this locality. Hummocky fields are noticeable.

Laupahoehoe Point, marked by a flashing white light, and 3 miles southeastward of Ookala mill, is low and flat and makes out about 4 mile from a deep gulch. The seaward end of the point is a mass of black lava rock, which is broken up into detached ledges extending 1 mile out from the light. The sea usually breaks with considerable force over the ledges. Laupahoehoe village is located on the inshore end of the point, but some of the buildings are on the bluff to the southward. There is a group of cottages and a school building among coconut trees between the village and the point. The boat landing, which has fallen into disuse, is located in a 30-foot (9.1 m) opening in the rocks on the southeast side of the point. While there is some protection for small boats, it is not recommended when there is much of a swell running.

Papaaloa, 11⁄2 miles southeast from Laupahoehoe, can be identified by a waterfall directly under the mill and white stack on the edge of the bluff. There is a horizontal string of bright lights which makes a good mark at night.

Maulua Bay, 134 miles southeast of Papaaloa, is a 14-mile indentation in the coast at the mouth of a gulch which is spanned by a high railroad bridge. There is a shingle beach at the head of the bay where small boats could be beached during favorable weather. There is only slight protection from the northeast trades. Ninole village is 112 miles southeast from the bay.

Honohina, about 7 miles southeast of Laupahoehoe, is a settlement on the plain between two gulches. There are no stacks or prominent buildings to be seen from seaward. The land has lost.

its hummocky appearance, and the cane-covered fields have a more level appearance, but are still broken by the gulches. Between here and Hilo the cliffs gradually decrease in height until at Hilo the bluffs disappear.

Hakalau Bay, about 81⁄2 miles southeastward of Laupahoehoe Point, lies in the mouth of the Hakalau Gulch. A high railroad trestle spanning the gulch is prominent from offshore, as are also the silver colored mill and other buildings lying in the gulch at the base of the south bank. There are several buildings on the highland just south of the gulch, quite close to the edge of the bluff. At night a row of prominent lights extends from this highland down to the gulch.

Wailea, a settlement about 1 mile south of Hakalau, is situated a short way inland, and just north of Kolekole (red earth) Gulch. Honomu mill, about 24 miles southeastward of Hakalau Bay, is situated down in the mouth of the gulch. The mill stack is black and not very prominent. About 2 miles northward of Pepeekeo Point the water falls cease to be a characteristic of the coast.

Alia Point, 134 miles southeastward of Honomu mill, is not very prominent.

Pepeekeo Point, marked by a group flashing white light, is about 212 miles southward of Honomu mill. It is the most prominent point in the vicinity. Pepeekeo mill is located on the bluff south of the point. The white stack of the mill must not be mistaken for the light, which is on a white skeleton tower. The cane-covered cinder cones, 2 miles inland from Pepeekeo Point Light, are fairly prominent. Kauku Crater, 42 miles inland from the light, is wooded and 1,956 feet (596 m) high. Cane fields extend from the coast to the foot of this crater.

Onomea, a settlement about 2 miles south of Pepeekeo, is situated above the slope at the head of Onomea Bay. A prominent feature is a large building with a black roof. The bay is small, shallow, and foul, but with local knowledge some protection for small boats can be had when the trades are northerly. A natural arch marks the seaward end of the ridge which forms the north side of the bay.

Papaikou is a large settlement about 2 miles south of Onomea. Paukaa Point, about 1 mile south of Papaikou, is marked by a flashing white light 145 feet (44 m) above the water.

HILO BAY (CHART 4103)

about 60 miles southeastward of Upolu Point and 20 miles northwestward of Cape Kumukahi, is included between Koekea Point on the south and Pepeekoe Point on the north, a distance of 7 miles, and indents the coast about 3 miles. The westerly shore of the bay is bluff, while the southerly and easterly shores are low. The outer bay is exposed to the northeast trades, but the harbor is sheltered by a breakwater extending northwestward over Blonde Reef from the wharves at Kuhio Bay. There is frequently a heavy swell which is deflected eastward by the west shore and causes a considerable surge at the wharves.

Hilo, the second in commercial importance and population of the cities of the Hawaiian Islands, is situated on the southwesterly side. of the bay. From Hilo eastward along the beach numerous houses

are scattered as far as the two large cerritorial wharves at Kuhio Bay. Many small boats find protection in the quiet waters of Waiakea Creek, at the eastern edge of the city.

Prominent features.-Hilo Sugar Co.'s mill, about 1 mile northward of Hilo, at Alealea Point, is painted gray and has one large black stack. At the water's edge just southward of the mill is a high white stone abutment. When the mill is in operation at night, it will be recognized by the number of electric lights that are scattered about the plant. Green (Halai) Hill, 1 mile southwestward of Hilo, is the highest point in the vicinity. It has some cane and a few scattered trees on the slopes, but the entire hill is being developed as a residential district. The high concrete stack of the Hilo electric plant at Waiakea is very prominent and is an excellent leading mark to the harbor. At night the Waiakea fixed red light is seen for a considerable distance before picking up Blonde Reef lighted entrance buoy, which is 500 yards west of the end of the breakwater. Cocoanut Point beacon is a small white tower on sea wall 200 yards southeast of the mouth of Wailuku River. There are two radio towers 500 yards east of the territorial wharves. There is an airplane landing field about 1 mile southward of the wharves.

Ranges. A lighted range marks the channel south of Blonde Reef to the wharves in Kuhio Bay.

Pilotage is not compulsory, but certain fees are charged to vessels entering or departing with or without a pilot. Pilot rates are given in the Appendix.

Towboats.-There are no towboats. A privately owned launch is available for handling mooring lines.

Anchorage can be had anywhere under the lee of the breakwater in up to 7 fathoms (12.8 m). Anchorage north of the black can buoys is not recommended. A good anchorage in from 5 to 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11 m) with good holding ground is 3% mile 270° true (W. by S. mag.) from Kaulainaiwi Island. After heavy rains a current setting northward from Waiakea Creek is felt in this vicinity. For deep-draft vessels the harbor master usually assigns an anchorage 1⁄2 mile east of Alealea Point, in 46 feet (14 m).

Wharves.-There are two large modern wharves, owned and operated by the Territory, at the eastern end of the breakwater in Kuhio Bay. Both wharves are well equipped for handling freight. The northeasterly one is 400 yards long and is used for transPacific freight, while the southwesterly one is used for interisland freight. The northeasterly wharf (Pier 1) has from 34 to 36 feet (10.4 to 11 m) except at the extreme ends, where some shoaling has occurred. The southwesterly wharf (Pier 2) has 31 feet (9.4 m) along the northeast side, 33 feet (10.1 m) on the southwest side, and 27 feet (8.2 m) at the outer end.

Harbor regulations.-The harbor master, who is also the pilot, has charge of the anchorages.

Supplies. Provisions, ice, lumber, and some ship chandler's stores can be obtained. Water, fuel oil, and gasoline can be conveniently obtained at the wharves at Kuhio.

Repairs. There are machine shops where extensive repairs can be made. There are no dry docks or large marine railways.

Winds. The prevailing winds are the northeast trades. At night a gentle breeze generally comes off the land.

Tides. The mean range of tides is 1.8 feet (0.5 m).

Directions. From eastward, give Leleiwi Point a berth of 1 mile in rounding it and steer 280° true (W. mag.) for 42 miles, heading for Paukaa light until 1/2 to 3/4 mile from shore; then steer 184° true (S. 12 E. mag.) keeping this distance offshore and taking care to pass westward of Blonde Reef lighted bell buoy. Anchor southward of the black can buoys marking the southwesterly edge of Blonde Reef. (See "Anchorage.") If bound for the wharves in Kuhio Bay, after passing Blonde Reef lighted bell buoy haul eastward slowly, leaving black buoy (can, 3) to port. Then steer 97° true (E. % N. mag.) with Kuhio Bay range lights ahead. Pass between the buoys marking the edges of the shoals on each side of the channel. In 1931 this channel had a depth of 36 feet (11 m).

There are large mooring buoys in Kuhio Bay. The larger vessels drop anchor as well as make fast to the mooring buoys when coming alongside Pier 1. This is necessary to assist in leaving and for breasting off when the surge at the wharf is excessive.

From northward, after rounding Pepeekeo Point, steer 184° true (S. 5% E. mag.), keeping 1/2 to 3/4 mile offshore and taking care to pass westward of Blonde Reef lighted bell buoy and continue as directed in the preceding paragraph.

Dangers. The lead is generally a good guide on the south side of the bay, but the shoaling is abrupt to Blonde Reef and the reefs around and eastward of Cocoanut Island. A large fleet of fishing sampans operates in the outer bay. The movements of these boats are uncertain, and vessels approaching the bay must maintain a sharp lookout.

Blonde Reef is an extensive sunken reef, with depths of 1 to 4 fathoms (1.8 to 7.3 m), which extends 12 miles in a west-northwesterly direction from the easterly side of the bay. The shoaling is generally abrupt on all sides of the reef, and the lead cannot be depended on to clear it. A Government breakwater extends over the reef to within 150 yards of its western edge. It is marked off the westerly end by a black, lighted bell buoy, and on its southerly edge by black can buoys. The entrance to the harbor is 3/4 mile wide between Blonde Reef and the westerly shore.

Mokuola (Cocoanut) Island (wooded) and the bare islets (Kaulainaiwi Island) northward are connected with the shore by a reef, which makes out 150 to 200 yards on all sides of them. The north end of the reef is marked by a lighted buoy. Shoals with 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 5.5 m) extend out a distance of 1% to 4 mile all along the southerly side of the bay.

HILO BAY TO CAPE KUMUKAHI (CHART 4115)

Keokea Point, about 3 miles eastward of Hilo, is low and hard to distinguish from other points in the vicinity. There are a few cocoanut trees on the point. Foul ground extends for 1/2 mile offshore.

Leleiwi Point, 5 miles eastward of Hilo, is marked by a mass of bare black lava rock about 20 feet (6.1 m) high, which extends 100 yards seaward from the tree line. It is particularly hard to pick up