Lahaina Roads facts for kids
Lahaina Roads, also known as the Lahaina Roadstead, is a special area of the Pacific Ocean located in the Hawaiian Islands. It's like a natural harbor because it's protected by the nearby islands of Maui and Lānaʻi. Even Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe help to shelter it. This makes it a safe place for ships to anchor. You can find Lahaina Roads off the coast of the town of Lahaina, around 20°52′0″N 156°44′0″W / 20.86667°N 156.73333°W.
A Safe Spot for Ships
Lahaina Roads is a natural "roadstead." This means it's a sheltered area of water near a coast where ships can safely drop anchor. It's not a completely enclosed harbor, but the surrounding islands block strong winds and waves. This makes it a great place for many ships to gather and wait.
Lahaina Roads in World War II
During the 1940s, Lahaina Roads was a very important place for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It served as another safe spot for their warships to anchor, besides Pearl Harbor. This was especially true before and during World War II.
Japanese Plans for Pearl Harbor
When Japan planned its attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, they knew about Lahaina Roads. The Japanese naval strike force, called the Kido Butai, thought that some U.S. Navy ships might be anchored there instead of Pearl Harbor. Because of this, they sent scout planes to look for ships at Lahaina Roads. They also sent submarines to check out the area. This shows how important Lahaina Roads was seen as a possible naval base.
