Channels of the Hawaiian Islands facts for kids
The Hawaiian Islands are a group of islands, also known as an archipelago. The water areas between these islands are usually called channels or passages. Think of them as watery roads connecting the islands!
This article will tell you about the main channels found between the islands of Hawaiʻi. We'll start from the northwest and move towards the southeast.
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Kaulakahi Channel
The Kaulakahi Channel is the water that separates the islands of Niʻihau and Kauaʻi. It is about 17 miles (27 km) wide. The name Kaulakahi means "the single flame" or "streak of color."
Kaʻieʻie Waho Channel
The Kaʻieʻie Waho Channel is also known as the Kauai Channel. It lies between the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. This channel is about 72 miles (116 km) wide.
The name Kaʻieʻie Waho means "Outer Kaʻieʻie." It's named after a special Hawaiian vine called the ʻieʻie (Freycinetia arborea). This channel is very deep, going down more than 11,000 feet!
Kaʻiwi Channel
The Kaʻiwi Channel is also called the Molokai Channel. It separates the islands of Oʻahu and Molokaʻi. This channel is about 26 miles (42 km) wide. Its deepest point is around 2,300 feet (700 m).
The name Ka Iwi means "the bone." People often have exciting contests here, like paddleboarding and outrigger canoe paddling races. Swimming across this channel is also one of the seven big challenges in the Oceans Seven open water swimming series.
Kalohi Channel
The Kalohi Channel is the water between Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. The water here is about 260 feet (79 m) deep, and the channel is about 9.3 miles (15.0 km) wide.
Even though it can have strong winds and choppy seas, this channel is considered one of the less dangerous ones in Hawaiʻi. On the Lānaʻi coast, there's a place called Kalolohia beach, also known as "Shipwreck Beach." This is because a ship once wrecked on the reef there. The name Kalohi means "the slowness."
Pailolo Channel
The Pailolo Channel separates the islands of Molokaʻi and Maui. This channel is quite narrow, only about 8.4 miles (13.5 km) at its shortest point. However, it is known for being one of the windiest and roughest channels in the Hawaiian Islands.
The name Pailolo might come from words meaning "lift" and "shifting." Some people also say it means "crazy fisherman," but this is probably a newer idea.
ʻAuʻau Channel
The ʻAuʻau Channel is a very calm and protected area of ocean. It lies between Lānaʻi and Maui. Molokaʻi to the north and Kahoʻolawe to the south also help protect it.
This channel is about 108 feet (33 m) deep and 8.8 miles (14.2 km) wide. It's a famous spot for humpback whale watching! These amazing whales travel about 3,500 miles (5600 km) from Alaska every autumn. They spend the winter months in the calm waters of the ʻAuʻau Channel.
The name ʻAuʻau means "to take a bath," which perfectly describes its calm, bath-like conditions.
Lahaina Roads
A part of the ʻAuʻau channel, near Lahaina, is known as the Lahaina Roads. Long ago, this area was full of whaling ships when Lahaina was a big center for the whaling industry. Later, the U.S. Pacific Fleet sometimes used Lahaina Roads as an extra place to anchor their ships.
Today, Lahaina Roads is still a common place for large cruise ships and naval vessels to anchor. Their crews often enjoy visiting the island.
Kealaikahiki Channel
The Kealaikahiki Channel is located between Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe. Its name literally means "the road to Tahiti"! If you were to sail straight from Kealaikahiki Point on Kahoʻolawe, you would generally arrive in Tahiti.
However, ancient Polynesian navigators likely didn't sail in a perfectly straight line. This channel is about 17 miles wide.
ʻAlalākeiki Channel
The ʻAlalākeiki Channel separates the islands of Kahoʻolawe and Maui. It is about 7 miles wide. The name ʻAlalākeiki means "crying baby."
ʻAlenuihāhā Channel
The ʻAlenuihāhā Channel separates the island of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island) and the island of Maui. This channel is about 30 miles wide. It can be very deep, reaching up to 6,100 feet (1,900 m).
There are often strong winds in this channel, creating a "wind funnel" effect. Scientists sometimes study this unique weather pattern. The name ʻAlenuihāhā means "great billows smashing."
Other Channels
Kumukahi Channel
The Kumukahi Channel is found between the islands of Niʻihau and Lehua. The name Kumukahi means "first beginning."
Hoʻomoʻa Channel
The Hoʻomoʻa Channel separates the islands of Lehua and Nihoa. Hoʻomoʻa means "to cook."
Hawaiʻiloa Channel
The Hawaiʻiloa Channel is located to the northwest of the island of Nihoa. It is named after Hawaiʻiloa, a hero from an old Hawaiian legend about how the Hawaiian Islands were first settled.
