Anchorage· Molokai· Hawaii
Lono Harbor (Hale o Lono)
21° 5.2′ N · 157° 14.9′ W · approximate
An abandoned barge harbor blasted out behind two breakwaters at Haleolono Point on Molokai's deserted southwest corner: no town, no services, just a protected pocket, a dirt road, dark skies and the start line of the great Molokai-to-Oahu canoe races.
Practical
Coordinate is approx, the middle of the basin traced from the OpenStreetMap coastline. Coast Pilot 10: abandoned barge harbor at Haleolono Point (a conspicuous 50 ft brown bluff 13 miles west of Kaunakakai); entrance marked by a 345 degree private unlighted range; two breakwaters; local knowledge advisable. Sea Seek cruising notes (2008, updated 2015): protected anchorage for a few boats; anchor east of the entrance only, in 8 to 15 ft; expect some roll in a south swell. The old wharf is very rough and usable only with fenderboards and good fenders. No facilities (portable toilets were reported in 2007 only); bring everything. Ashore is Molokai Ranch land, closed to through access, though the beach is public; a 7-mile red-dirt road leads to Maunaloa (to-hawaii.com). The harbor is crowded with escort boats and canoes for the late-September and October canoe races.
Best for
First stop after crossing the Kaiwi Channel from Oahu
Season
Year-round in trades; avoid in strong south swell or kona