Editing Channels of the Hawaiian Islands

{{Short description|Names of the channels of water between the Hawaiian Islands}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2024}}
[[File:Channels-of-the-Hawaiian-Islands.svg|thumb|Channels of the Hawaiian Islands|300px]]

In an [[archipelago]] like the [[Hawaiian Islands]] the water between [[island]]s is typically called a ''[[channel (geography)|channel]]'' or ''passage''. Described here are the channels between the islands of [[Hawaii|Hawaiʻi]], arranged from northwest to southeast.

== Kaulakahi Channel ==

The '''Kaulakahi Channel''' separates the islands of [[Niihau|Niʻihau]] and [[Kauai|Kauaʻi]]. It is {{convert|17|mi|km}} wide. Kaulakahi translates to "the single flame (streak of color)."{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=93}}

== Kaʻieʻie Waho Channel ==

The '''Kaʻieʻie Waho Channel''', also called the '''Kauai Channel''',<ref>The Road Atlas of United States, Canada & Mexico (Rand McNally, 2004) p. 30.</ref> separates the islands of [[Kauai|Kauaʻi]] and [[Oahu|Oʻahu]], at a distance of {{convert|72|mi|km}}. Kaʻieʻie Waho means "Outer Kaʻieʻie," named after the ʻieʻie vine (''[[Freycinetia arborea]]'').{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=68}} The maximum depth of the channel is over {{convert|11000|feet}}.

== Kaiwi Channel ==

The '''Kaiwi Channel''' (also known as the '''Molokai Channel''') separates the islands of [[Oahu|Oʻahu]] and Molokaʻi, and is {{convert|26|mi|km}} wide. Maximum depth is {{convert|2300|ft|m}}. ''Ka Iwi'' means "the bone."{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|pages=70–71}} There are annual [[paddleboarding]] and [[outrigger canoeing|outrigger canoe paddling]] contests which traverse this channel; swimming the channel is one of the seven challenges in the [[Oceans Seven]] open water swimming series.<ref name=Oceans7>{{cite web|url=https://molokaichannelswim.com/oceans-seven-swim|website=www.molokaichannelswim.com|title=Oceans Seven Swim Marathon|publisher=Molokai Channel Swim, Buckman's Boat Yard|author=Matt Buckman|date=n.d.|access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref>

== Kalohi Channel ==

The '''Kalohi Channel''' is the stretch of water separating [[Lanai|Lānaʻi]] and [[Molokai|Molokaʻi]]. Depth of water in this channel is about {{convert|260|ft|m}} and width is {{convert|9.3|mi|km}}. This is one of the less treacherous channels between islands in the archipelago, although strong winds and choppy sea conditions are frequent. '''Kaiolohia Beach''' on the Lānaʻi coast is also known as "Shipwreck Beach" because of a wreck on the [[reef]] there. Kalohi means "the slowness."{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=77}}

== Pailolo Channel ==
The '''Pailolo Channel''' separates the islands of '''Molokaʻi''' and '''Maui'''. Some {{convert|8.4|mi|km}} at its narrowest, it is one of the windiest and roughest in the Hawaiian Islands.{{sfn|Mehaffy|Mehaffy|2006|pages=55}}

== ʻAuʻau Channel ==

The '''ʻAuʻau Channel''' is one of the most protected areas of ocean in the Hawaiian Islands, lying between [[Lanai|Lānaʻi]] and Maui. The channel is also protected by [[Molokai|Molokaʻi]] to the north, and Kahoʻolawe to the south. The depth of the channel reaches {{convert|108|ft|m}}, and its width is {{convert|8.8|mi|km}}. ʻAuʻau channel is a whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands. [[Humpback whale]]s migrate approximately {{convert|3500|miles}} from [[Alaska]]n waters each autumn and spend the northern hemisphere winter months in the protected waters of the channel.

ʻAuʻau translates to "to take a bath," referring to its calm bath-like conditions.{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=14}}

== Kealaikahiki Channel ==
The '''Kealaikahiki Channel''' is the {{convert|17|miles}} channel between [[Lanai|Lānaʻi]] and [[Kahoolawe|Kahoʻolawe]]. It literally means "the road to [[Tahiti]]", both figuratively and literally, as Tahiti lies generally southward of its orientation.  Known informally as the "Tahiti Express" for its strength in that direction.

== ʻAlalākeiki Channel ==
The '''ʻAlalākeiki Channel''' separates the islands of [[Kahoolawe|Kahoʻolawe]] and [[Maui (island)|Maui]], at a distance of {{convert|7|miles}}. ʻAlalākeiki means "crying baby."

== ʻAlenuihāhā Channel ==

The '''ʻAlenuihāhā''' separates the island of [[Hawaii (island)|Hawaiʻi]] and the island of [[Maui]]. The maximum depth of this channel is {{convert|6100|ft|m}}, and the channel is {{convert|30|miles}} wide. There is a significant wind funnel effect in the channel, which is subject to scientific investigations. ʻAlenuihāhā means "great billows smashing."{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=10}}`Alenuihāhā is more correctly literally translated to `Ale = cresting, rippling, to form waves; nui = big, large; hāhā = to breathe or blow hard

== Minor channels and alternate names ==
=== Lahaina Roads ===
{{Main|Lahaina Roads}}

The middle of the ʻAuʻau channel off Lahaina is known as the [[Lahaina Roads]]. Once filled with whalers when Lahaina was a capital for that industry, Lahaina Roads were later adopted as an alternate anchorage for the main U.S. Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor. However, Lahaina was not used, and the bulk of the fleet remained moored in Pearl Harbor. The Roads are still a common moorage for oceangoing cruise ships and naval vessels of many flags, including the U.S., whose passengers and crews add to the tourists visiting the island.

=== Kumukahi Channel ===
The '''Kumukahi Channel''' separates the islands of [[Niʻihau]] and [[Lehua]]. Kumukahi means "first beginning".{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=124}}

=== Hoʻomoʻa Channel ===
The '''Hoʻomoʻa Channel''' separates the islands of [[Lehua]] and [[Nihoa]]. Hoʻomoʻa means "to cook".{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=52}}

=== Hawaiʻiloa Channel ===
The '''Hawaiʻiloa Channel''' to the northwest of the islands of [[Nihoa]]. Named after [[Hawaiiloa|Hawaiʻiloa]], hero of an ancient Hawaiian legend about the settling of the Hawaiian Islands.{{sfn|Pukui|Elbert|Mookini|1974|page=43}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Sources ==
* {{cite book|last1=Mehaffy|first1=Carolyn|last2=Mehaffy|first2=Bob|title=Cruising Guide to the Hawaiian Islands|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RN5sNGf5d3wC|year=2006|publisher=Paradise Cay Publications|location=Arcata, CA|isbn=978-0-939837-73-1}}
* {{cite book|last1=Pukui|first1=Mary Kawena|author-link1=Mary Kawena Pukui|last2=Elbert|first2=Samuel H.|last3=Mookini|first3=Esther T.|title=Place Names of Hawaii|url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=fkw4JooFxZAC}}|date=1974|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|location=Honolulu|isbn=978-0-8248-0524-1}}

[[Category:Channels of Hawaii]]