In an archipelago like the Hawaiian Islands the water between islands is typically called a channel or passage. Described here are the channels between the islands of Hawaii, arranged from northwest to southeast.
The Kaulakahi Channel separates the islands of Niûihau and Kauaûi. It is wide. Kaulakahi translates to "the single flame (streak of color)."
The Kaûieûie Waho Channel, also called the Kauaûi Channel, separates the islands of Kauaûi and Oûahu, at a distance of . Kaûieûie Waho means "Outer Kaûieûie," named after the ûieûie vine (Freycinetia arborea). The maximum depth of the channel is over .
The Kaiwi Channel (also known as the Molokai Channel) separates the islands of Oûahu and Molokaûi, and is wide. Maximum depth is . Ka Iwi means "the bone." There are annual paddleboarding and outrigger canoe paddling contests which traverse this channel; swimming the channel is one of the seven challenges in the Oceans Seven open water swimming series.
The Kalohi Channel is the stretch of water separating LÃÂnaûi and Molokaûi. Depth of water in this channel is about and width is . This is one of the less treacherous channels between islands in the archipelago, although strong winds and choppy sea conditions are frequent. Kaiolohia Beach on the LÃÂnaûi coast is also known as "Shipwreck Beach" because of a wreck on the reef there. Kalohi means "the slowness."
The Pailolo Channel separates the islands of Molokaûi and Maui. Some at its narrowest, it is one of the windiest and roughest in the Hawaiian Islands.
The ûAuûau Channel is one of the most protected areas of ocean in the Hawaiian Islands, lying between LÃÂnaûi and Maui. The channel is also protected by Molokaûi to the north, and Kahoûolawe to the south. The depth of the channel reaches , and its width is . ûAuûau channel is a whale-watching center in the Hawaiian Islands. Humpback whales migrate approximately from Alaskan waters each autumn and spend the northern hemisphere winter months in the protected waters of the channel.
ûAuûau translates to "to take a bath," referring to its calm bath-like conditions.
The Kealaikahiki Channel is the channel between LÃÂnaûi and Kahoûolawe. It literally means "the road to Tahiti", both figuratively and literally, as Tahiti lies generally southward of its orientation. Known informally as the "Tahiti Express" for its strength in that direction.
The ûAlalÃÂkeiki Channel separates the islands of Kahoûolawe and Maui, at a distance of . ûAlalÃÂkeiki means "crying baby."
The ûAlenuihÃÂhàseparates the island of Hawaiûi and the island of Maui. The maximum depth of this channel is , and the channel is wide. There is a significant wind funnel effect in the channel, which is subject to scientific investigations. ûAlenuihÃÂhàmeans "great billows smashing."ûAlenuihÃÂhàis more correctly literally translated to ûAle = cresting, rippling, to form waves; nui = big, large; hÃÂhà= to breathe or blow hard
The middle of the ûAuûau channel off Lahaina is known as the Lahaina Roads. Once filled with whalers when Lahaina was a capital for that industry, Lahaina Roads were later adopted as an alternate anchorage for the main U.S. Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor. However, Lahaina was not used, and the bulk of the fleet remained moored in Pearl Harbor. The Roads are still a common moorage for oceangoing cruise ships and naval vessels of many flags, including the U.S., whose passengers and crews add to the tourists visiting the island.
The Kumukahi Channel separates the islands of Niûihau and Lehua. Kumukahi means "first beginning".
The Hoûomoûa Channel separates the islands of Lehua and Nëhoa. Hoûomoûa means "to cook".
The Hawaiûiloa Channel to the northwest of the islands of Nëhoa. Named after Hawaiûiloa, hero of an ancient Hawaiian legend about the settling of the Hawaiian Islands.