Kahana

Kahana is a windward-coast paragliding site on Oahu, Hawaii, launched from multiple spots along two ridges between about 250 and 350 feet above sea level. It's roughly an hour's drive from Honolulu, or about 1.5 hours by bus, and reaching any of the launches involves a hike of around 15 minutes up from the landing zone. Wind directions from north-east through east-north-east work best; if the wind swings too far east, the landing zone can lose clean air and pilots may find themselves sinking or fighting rotor on approach. Rain squalls blow in from the ocean periodically, bringing sudden gust fronts, rain and occasionally dramatic direction changes, so it pays to watch the ocean for incoming weather. The landing zone sits on open ground between the trees at the centre of the beach, and pilots need to yield right of way to other beach users. Flying here is only for current members of the national hang gliding association and the local club, which visitors can join free of charge before their first flight. Good for thermalling, soaring and cross-country.

Launch & conditions

There are several launch spots along two ridges, from about 250 to 350 feet above sea level, reached by roughly a 15-minute hike up from the landing zone. Winds from north-east through east-north-east suit the site best.

Getting there & local rules

Kahana is on Oahu's windward coast, about an hour's drive from Honolulu or 1.5 hours by bus. Landing is on open ground between the trees at the centre of the beach — pilots must yield to other beach users there.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is limited to current members of the national hang gliding association who also join the local club, which is free for visitors and holds a state permit covering the site. If the wind swings too far east, the landing zone can lose clean air, leaving pilots sinking or fighting rotor on approach, and ocean squalls can bring sudden gust fronts, rain and abrupt direction changes with little warning.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Kahana, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Kahana with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.