Na Pe'a
_
SEA CONDITIONS.
Hawaiians have descriptive names for different sea conditions that describe the hight of the waves and wind strength.
Sea conditions
|
Hawaiian Name (Pukui Dictionary) |
Wind speed |
Description |
|
Sea conditions |
|
||||
|
|
|
MPH |
|
|
|
||||
|
Alania |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
Flat. Sea is like a mirror
|
|
|
|
Nao |
|
|
<1 |
|
|
|
Ripples without crests.
|
|
|
|
Hauliuli |
|
|
3-6 |
|
Light breeze |
|
|
Small wavelets. Crests of glassy appearance, not breaking
|
|
|
Owe |
|
8- |
12 |
|
Gentle Wind
|
|
|
Large wavelets, crests begin to break and whitecaps are scattered |
|
|
Halu’a |
|
13- |
17 |
|
Moderate Wind |
|
|
Small waves. Few but consistent white caps begin to appear
|
|
|
Kai Ahulu |
|
18- |
24 |
|
Fresh Wind |
|
|
Moderate longer waves. Some foam and spray.
|
|
|
Kupiki’o |
|
25- |
30 |
|
Strong Wind |
|
|
Large waves with foam crests and some spray. |
|
|
‘O’oloku |
|
31- |
38 |
|
High wind,
|
|
|
Sea heaps up and foam begins to streak.
|
|
|
Kai Ko’o |
|
29- |
46 |
|
Gale Force |
|
|
Moderately high waves with breaking crests forming spindrift. Streaks of foam. |
|