Sunday. Moku pe'a got underway for the Big Island just after first light, motor sailing along Niihau's long northwest coast.
I sailed right along this tranquil coast in each of the seven "Round the State" races I participated in back in the '70s and '80s, and saw then what great a great cruising ground it could be.
I haven't been disappointed in the four times I've returned to explore. Niihau is off the map for most, so you always have it to yourself as long as you are careful to avoid the island's residents, who aren't particularly friendly.
Quite a few birds were working the surface, so we put out a handline and caught two large Kahala, which we threw back since I'm not familiar with the ciguatera situation in the area.
We expected to be blasted by trade winds as we cleared Niihau's southeastern point, but found flat seas and six knot winds which made it necessary to motor sail. That was surprising. Hopefully it won't be too long before the breeze fills in.
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