Two resident mantas swam past us on our way out of Kamalō. The water is a bit murky here so we didn’t jump in, just saw them from the surface. We left with about 15-20kts on our 120, which quickly dropped off to <10kts around Kaunakakai. Tried jibing our way home, but we were going way too slow, so decided to motor sail once again. Once we reached W Molokai it was completely dead which conveniently coincided with our engine beginning to bog….again. Doesn’t seem like she wants to exceed 2000rpm, but that gets us to about 5kts so it’s not the worst. Our ✨brand new✨alternator also stopped charging, so I tried to sort that out underway to no avail. Slowly crossed the Kaiwi with 0 knots and cabbage patch seas around penguin banks. Main luffed constantly, so we tried dropping it, but the boat became exponentially unstable, so we raised it again and accepted the fate of our next few hours…which involved shattering a full wine bottle in the galley and finding a literal lake in the pantry beneath the freezer (???!!!). These inter-island shake downs before the jump across the pond in a few months are doing their job. Very fun week with very fun friends 🤍 grateful!

Motor sailed from Olowalu to Kamalō. Olowalu was so, so beautiful. Went diving after breakfast around 8 am. The water was chilly but refreshing. Followed W Maui coastline and jumped off towards Molokai from Lahaina. The ʻAuʻau, Pailolo, and Kalohi channels are like lakes today…I feel like we’re in a dream! We were debating on anchoring Kamalō for diving and mantas, Kaunakakai for lava flows at Paddler’s and Molokai hot bread, or Lono for bonfires and shelling. All six onboard agreed on Kamalō 🤿 Anchored in about 30’ with some west wind keeping the cabin cool. Naps, food, and diving are in order ✍🏽

Motor sailed across the ‘Au’au channel to a new anchorage in front of Olowalu beach on West Maui. Channel crossing was slow, generally less than 10 kts of wind with a short period of ~20 kts. Mama and baby whales put on a show on the way over🤍 Teaching everyone how to handle Ciao Bella in a whale minefield is fun :) Anchored in approx. 30’ of water at Olowalu. Patches of muddy sand are surrounded by beautiful coral. Cruised over to Mitch’s cat ‘Odyssey’ for drinks 🍻The mountains on W Maui are unbelievable.

0-5 kts of wind and completely flat seas in the Kaiwi. Am I dreaming??? Motor sailing over to Manele, Lānaʻi with our friends Lucy, Aidan, Beau, and Allison. We’re buddy boating over with our friend Mitch and his crew. Dave and I might have the flu but it’s fine ☠️ Porter’s napping in the pilothouse and whales are welcoming us into Maui county 🐋✨

Put some hours on the Yanmar today motor sailing from the Ala Wai to Manele. Anchored as the sun set! Ready to eat and sleep 💤

Sail from Hale O Lono to Nanahoa was very nice. Conditions in the Kalohi were light, <15 kts on our port beam. Some puffs up to 22 kts. Flat seas. Taught Morgan how to sail! Mostly sailed until we rounded Lānaʻi, where we began motor sailing. All was good and well until right about a mile outside of the anchorage, our diesel began giving us problems. I think it’s a continuation of our fuel issue saga…engine won’t exceed 1000rpm. Tried a few fixes that have worked in the past to no avail. Will try to work on the engine today to sort this out. Inched our way to the anchorage and anchored in approx. 40 ft of crystal clear water with an endless sandy bottom, so there’s great holding. Took the dingy to shore to explore the pinnacles and dive 🤿🐚🐠 not so many shells this time, but the fish are unbelievably abundant!

Made a bonfire, cooked some dogs on a skewer, paddled to the beach with my bestie, and found some treasure 🐚✨

Greetings from the middle of the Kaiwi 👋🏽 trucking along at around 5 knots in pretty consistent ~15 knots of north wind. About a 8-10 ft north swell at 120 deg. So, so comfy in the pilothouse. Happy captain and crew (and puppy!) over here :)

Dream sail across the Kaiwi on Ciao Bella. She f’ng GOES!!! Insanely different experience on a real blue water cruiser compared to our little old Catalina. Didn’t barf 🤩 Whales in Maui County are too numerous to count, as are the stars at Hale O Lono. Such a special place that I’m so thankful we get to experience with good company 🤍 Looking forward to spending a few nights here.