Hawaii Ocean Channels
Here is an overview about each Hawaiian ocean channel, from southeast to northwest.
Alenuihaha Channel
The Alenuihaha Channel lies between the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. Its maximum depth is 6,100 feet (1,900 m) and it spans 30 miles (48 km).
Alalakeiki Channel
The Alalakeiki Channel lies between Kahoolawe and Maui, a 7-mile (11 km) stretch. In the Hawaiian language, 'alalakeiki means "crying baby."
Kealaikahiki Channel
The 17-mile (27 km) wide Kealaikahiki Channel separates the islands of Lanai and Kahoolawe. Its name means “the road to Tahiti.” A boat heading directly straight down south from here would arrive in Tahiti, hence its name.
Auau Channel
The 8.8-mile (14 km) wide Auau Channel is the most protected one in the Hawaiian Islands. It is no wonder that the Pacific humpback whales, which migrate to Hawaii from Alaska each year in the winter, prefer this channel to birth and raise their calves. The channel lies between Maui to the east and Lanai to the west. It is also protected by Kahoolawe to the south and Molokai to the north. Its depth is a mere 108 feet (33 m). In the winter months, many whale watching boats frequent this channel to view the whales. In the Hawaiian language, 'Au'au means “to take a bath,” referring to the channels bathtub-like conditions.
The center of the Auau Channel is known as the Lahaina Roads. It used to be filled with whaling ships when the town of Lahaina on Maui’s west shore was the capital of the whaling industry.
Pailolo Channel
The Pailolo Channel lies between Maui and Molokai. Even though it spans just 8.4 miles (13.5 km), it is usually very windy and rough. Pailolo in Hawaiian means “crazy fishermen,” referring to any fisherman who would be crazy enough to try to navigate this tough channel.
Kalohi Channel
The Kalohi Channel separates Lanai and Molokai. Its maximum depth is about 260 feet (79 m). Strong winds and choppy seas are common in this channel. A British vessel, the Alderman Wood, got into trouble off Lanai’s north shore in 1824 and sank. Two years later, the London, an American ship was purposely grounded here. After the end of World War II, grounding the ship here was seen as the most economical way to dispose of it. Up until today, the ship’s hull can be seen resting on Lanai’s aptly named Shipwreck Beach.
Kaiwi Channel
The Kaiwi Channel, which is also known as the Molokai Channel, lies between Molokai and Oahu. Its maximum depth is 2,300 feet (701 m) and it spans 27 miles (43 km). It has a reputation of being one of the toughest ocean channels in the world because of the usually strong winds, strong currents and large swells. It is also known for being very unpredictable. One moment it may be calm as calm as a lake and then it suddenly it turns into a raging roller coaster ride. The annual Molokai Hoe outrigger canoe competition takes place in this channel. More than 1,000 expert paddlers, who come to Hawaii from around the world, participate in this event.
A submerged shield volcano called Penguin Bank lies to the west of Molokai and within the Kaiwi Channel. It is an area of relatively shallow water. The bank is about 10 miles (16 km) wide, 20 miles (32 km) long and the water depth is around 200 feet (60 m). There has been ongoing talk to build wind turbines on Penguin Bank.
Kaieiewaho Channel
The Kaieiewaho Channel, also known as Kauai Channel, separates Oahu and Kauai. It is 72 miles (116 km) wide and over 10,000 feet (3,040 m) deep.
Kaulakahi Channel
The Kaulakahi Channel lies between Niihau and Kauai. It is 194 miles (312 km) wide and 3,600 feet (1,097 m) deep.
