Current Weather in Wailea (just north of Makena) and at Kahului (Maui airport)

For more info on Hawaiian (including Maui) beach safety, check the new UH website.  More beach safety can be found on this Kaua'i site, too.  And Oahu's lifeguard page.

Labor Day, Monday, Sept 7, 2009

Tides for the 5th Annual Maui 'Aumakua Swim on 9/7/2009 will be:

Hi Tide 5:13am +1.50ft Lo Tide 10:50am +0.35ft

Sunrise: 6:11am New Moon September 4  Moonset 8:49am

The Maui Channel Swim takes place from Lanai to Kaanapali Saturday September 5, 2009 (official 2008 results are posted at MCS website).

Tides, Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise, and Moonset for the 5th Annual Maui 'Aumakua Swim

Map of course overlaying satellite view.

You must be registered with USA-Swimming or with USMS to swim in this sanctioned event.

Net proceeds from this swim benefit two non-profit swim clubs on Maui: Maui Dolphins Swim Club (USA-S) and Maui Masters Swim Club (USMS).  We try to keep costs of running a safe and fun swim low with the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers.

Maui Masters Swim Club (a USMS sanctioned club) and Maui Dolphins Swim Club (a USA-S sanctioned club) are co-hosting the meet this year.

Click here for an article in MauiTime about sharks ... with a note about 'Aumakua.  For more information on the sea life we swim with, see this presentation created by one of our Maui Masters and Maui Dolphins coaches: Dave Rostetter.  And another current article from the Maui News about Pink Cap Maui ocean swimmers.  And an article from last year in Hana Hou Magazine regarding channel swimmers.

'Aumākua: Family or personal gods, deified ancestors who might assume the shape of sharks (all islands except Kaua'i), owls (as at Mānoa, O'ahu and Ka'ū and Puna, Hawai'i), hawks (Hawai'i) 'elepaio, 'iwi, mudhens, octopuses, eels, mice, rats, dogs, caterpillars, rocks, cowries, clouds, or plants.  A symbiotic relationship existed; mortals did not harm or eat 'aumākua (they fed sharks), and 'aumākua warned and reprimanded mortals in dreams, visions, and calls.

"The Arch".  For more pictures of this part of the ocean, check out our Sunday swims at Tropical Light Photography.

See these other sites for references about 'Aumakua: Coffee Times, article from Honolulu Advertiser, a definition, or from KCC.

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