Luis and Randy Draper
Bob standing lookout at the port-side bow while leaving the harbor
Bob 'Ole' Olson
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To Lanai on Paragon with Captain Randy Draper
By Tom Takao
The waves breaking at the entrance of Lahaina Harbor
Having arrived early at Lahaina Harbor with time to spare, I stood next to the guardrail and watched the waves at the Breakwall and the Harbor entrance. I would be going out on Paragon a 48 ft. catamaran whose sleek lines and roomy space made for a fun day cruising the southern coast of Lanai.
Turning the corner of the breakwater with Lanai in the background, Paragon enters the harbor with Captain Randy Draper at the helm and First Mate Bob Segstaken preparing to move up to the bow to keep a watch. Once in the main channel the 48 foot catamaran does a U turn. With her bows pointing north, Paragon makes her way towards the loading dock.
Feeling the current under her hulls Captain Randy throttles the helm as he makes the approach. With the fenders out on the starboard hull Paragon glides slowly along about two feet away from the edge of the dock. Bob by this time has the bow line in tow and is walking towards the bow cleat. After the bow and stern lines are cleated, a spring line is in place for good measure.
Luis Draper riding a Eric Totah "Surfskate" Surfboard gives the shocka sign as a cloud drifts by
After the tie up, Randy is on the dock and sees his son Luis who was about to enter the water at the north end of the dock. Hey “Luis” says Randy as we walked over to him. I was introduced to Luis who is one of the hot young surfers on the Westside. After the brief moment Randy walks back to his guest who were starting to show up. Luis jumps into the water after seeing another set wave break.
Luis at Windmills
Looking back at Lahaina as Captain Randy steers Paragon towards our destination.
Besides sailing Randy is also a surfer, a designer of personal electric vehicles of which he holds the world record time of climbing Haleakeala Volcano on one, and who was once a surfboard glasser for a major glassing company.
Just behind the helm was the captain’s chair that was perch on the stern crossbeam that double for a bench seat. It spanned the beam from hull to hull. The cockpit area in front of the seat had plenty of room to move around in since the lounge area was open to it.
There on the center table were fruits and vegetables along with bagels and sour cream. Off to the side of the breakfast snack were containers of coffee, tea, and soft drinks of passion fruit. The guests helped themselves and the coffee break lasted almost the length of the ride over.
My guest was 225 ft. give or take an up draft
Having a bite to eat and watching a few powerboats cross paths ahead and behind us. On one boat a Para-sailor was gliding as steady as the boat was pulling. Harnessed in while hanging on, the view must have been bird like. The air sailor could have seen me walking around from port to starboard looking back at him or her as they made their way north. It didn’t seem like 45 minutes since we left the harbor, but we were slowing down and the snorkeling gear was being ready.
The bouy marks the spot for our tie up, after which fins, snorkels and masks became the outfit to wear.
For most of the people on board including myself, this would be the first close up look at Lanai. To acquaint us with Lanai, Captain Randy pointed out some facts as we got closer to our tie up. Those trees were brought over to Lanai in the late 1800’s by John Munroe and had an impact on the climate. Many growing over a hundred feet and catching the moisture from the passing clouds. The small group around in the cockpit looked at the summit and some nodding their heads in appreciation of the history.
Pulling back the throttle we started to slow, our mooring buoy was fast approaching. The wide beam of a big catamaran such as Paragon made the cross over fast and level. The ride was pleasant and comfortable for everyone onboard.
Next thing on the agenda was snorkeling. As everyone put on their fins and mask, I was looking along the beach. As far as I could see, no one was on the beach, completely deserted. The only other individual near us were two boats to the north of us about a quarter and a half mile away.
One boat was waying anchor as the other was off and running
The forward hatch was opened, it is a part of the center structural divider that give supports to the cross beam and holds the forward trampoline from the hulls. Under the divider was the gang plank where most would walk down and all would come back on deck with. It was the your stairway to the underwater sightseeing adventure. Some of the guys used the old fashion elevator, they just jumped off.
With a dozen snorkels funneling in air the migration was on. Traveling a speedy one knot against the current it was perfectly clear from below the surface to the bottom.
Pockets of sand on a uneven carpet of coral slanting gradually into the deep. The reef fishes were in small groups swimming around the crevices in a cautious, scatter at a moments notice state.
Without notice a sea turtle swims slowly under the odd shaped perimeter that the group had formed. With the look of I don't care, so what if my shell has algae on it, swims off slowly on his own schedule. Meanwhile a few of the snorklers have gone back to the boat. The remaining group would straggle back within an hour.
Up the stairs and to the fresh water hose to rinse off with. The last of the snorklers were on board and toweling off. On the starboard side of Paragon the turtle pops up for a look and see where everyone had gone to. With the same expression as before, it blinks an eye and swims off. That was our clue to get ready to move on.
After snorkeling they were refreshment on the table to eat and drink as we motor along the coast. While some were getting comfortable on the trampoline, others were discussing the things that they were doing on Maui.
Off in the distance a small craft was a couple hundred yards from shore.
We came up on a group of 3 surfers and the designated driver of the waiting boat. Randy yells “How are the waves?” the guy in the boat yells back “6 ft.”
We didn't say anything more and waved good-bye.
The two guys were straight back of the boat, the third guy was way off to the right near shore
About 15 minutes later off our starboard beam a blowhole spews out its spray. With each swell passing under us everyone anticipates the water slamming into the cavity and gushing out of the hole at so many PSI per second, well maybe not everyone.
A time for Q & A
It seems the island has changed ownership through the years. It was forced upon Kaululaau, then handed down from him to someone no one knows about. Then taken over by King Kameuameha 1 and his family. Later in Lanai history it was owned by Charles Gay followed by James Dole and company and today is owned by David Murdock.
Getting back to James Dole, he had a vision of growing pineapple on the island. Much to the surprise of those who thought him foolish, he proved them wrong and was quite successful. The operation grew and many laborers were needed. From around the world the workers came. At the top of the island Lanai City developed and became the heart of the island.
Motoring along at 12 knots, traveling south by southwest along the coast with the terrain changing from gradual to abrupt. The slopes seemed to have been sliced off with a giant machete and for millenniums pounded by the waves of the south swells. Large and small rocks of lava being jarred from the cliff and tumbling into the sea, some visible while most below sea level.
Manele Harbor in between the two headlands
Bob on the starboard bow
It wasn’t long before we were at Maneli Harbor. The guest would disembark to have lunch and to sightsee around Hulopo’e Bay. Paragon would wait offshore for an hour, since dock space in this small harbor was limited. For this hour the crew and myself were a drift talking story and having lunch.
at the Point Of Hulopo’e Bay
As we drifted to the muffled sound of low rpm's echoing between the hulls. The afternoon chop danced along as the breeze played it tune. Before we knew it, it was time to return to the harbor and regroup.
Puu Pehe
The Puu Pehe Rock is like a very large diamond covered in a cloak of folklore. It's legend has endure through the waves of time and the countless clouds that have rained.
Adjusting the jib and main as Paragon's wings takes flight across Auau Channel and leaving Lanai to our stern.
Leaving Manele harbor Paragon motors out to the afternoon winds. Bob goes forward to the fiber-carbon mast and attaches the halyard to the head cringle of the mainsail. Pulling hand over hand, with the tension building as the bulk of the sail goes up the track. Winching the last few feet as the batten takes shape.
Next on the list was raising the jib on to the head stay and adjusting the jib sheet. With the sails up Randy steers the cat on a broad reach. Letting out the jib sheet a couple turns and realigning boom as the mainsheet tackle is moved on the traveler. The bows slicing through the water and we are doing 16 knots.
Just the wind and sails to get you from point A to point B. It was fun for those on board who have never sailed before and the others whose mental batteries become charged as the apparent wind blows through their hair. About a mile out from Lahaina we pull over and parked it. The guest were allowed to go for a swim and cool off from the hot day sun.
Approaching Lahaina
Returning to Lahaina Harbor with a passing cloud cover
Paragon made its way around the breakwater at Lahaina Harbor. The swell was still pumping with the tide being high. Back on the dock a very happy bunch of guests disembarking after a trip they will remember for a long time.
Lanai was receiving her afternoon showers as we approached the dock.
Since it was breaking at the harbor Randy suggested checking Mala. His surfing experience spans 4 plus decades and most of that is on Maui. Knowing the conditions of the sea makes for good decisions. Bob had to leave but I was all for it, being a goofy foot and surfing some lefts sounded cool to me.
Tsunami surge hits Maneli Harbor on Lanai, Hawaii November 15, 2006
Boat on the rocks
It was Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006 and Captain Randy Draper was getting ready for work.
Before he left home he checked the satellite weather information and heard about the 8.5 earthquake near Japan and Russia. At first there was a concern for a Tsunami, but the Tsunami Warning was called off for the Hawaiian Islands. They expected a slight surge to hit between 7 and 10 o'clock.
Ok nothing to worried about Randy thought to himself as he drove to work. The morning started off cloudy but it started to clear. Telling his guests on the catamaran Paragon that it was going to be a nice day and no rain in the forecast. But the snorkel conditions over in Lanai might be murky from all the rain runoff from the last two days.
After leaving Lahaina Harbor for Lanai, Captain Randy heard on the boat’s radio the Coast Guard report of a ship at sea some 100 miles had radioed in and reported a 6 to 8 foot tidal surge out there. Soon after the report a marine warning was issued to all Hawaiian costal areas and harbors, that a slight surge is to be expected to hit before 10 o'clock a.m.
Captain Randy called his boss who was driving Paragon II from Maalea Harbor to Molokini Crater and told him about the heads up. Soon after a report too evacuate the Molokini Crater snorkel spot was in effect, as well as all the beach goers along the coastal Westside of the islands to take caution.
After 10 o'clock there was a small surge at and nearby the harbors. All warnings were called
off. The guests of Paragon snorkeled outside of Manele Harbor (a beautiful Marine preserve) with great conditions, surprisingly. After making sure with his boss that things were ok to continue on schedule, Paragon entered Manale Harbor at 11:10 a.m.
The guest would take their lunches to one of Hawaii's nicest beaches to roam or relax for a
hour and a half after they are dropped off. As he entered the harbor Captain Randy noticed a strong current coming out of the harbor channel. As he approached the loading dock about 11:20 am, it looked like low tide with the Harbor Master waving him off.
The surge
Paragon approaching the dock during the surge
Things didn’t look good, before he could backed down on the approach the water in the harbor had dropped 2 feet more and Paragon was heading for mud. He decided to put it in reverse and try to get the hell out of the harbor before all the water got sucked out. He started the maneuver and while backing up, just before making his forward turn. His rudders got hit from an incoming rush of current at better than 6 mph broadside.
It broke his steering chain (master link clip) that is part of the steering wheel at the helm. All of a sudden it was like some one had pulled the plug out and the 48 foot boat was spinning down the drain with no steering. Quickly deciding to use the single engine on Paragon, Captain Randy situated the boat in between the breakwater and the docks.
Meanwhile as this was going on, he notices the Harbor Master standing on the same dock where the water was 4 feet below the dock moments earlier, it was now waist high. She stood there trying to hold a boat from floating over her. All of this happened in a
matter of 3 minutes. The Harbor Master nervously was handling the situation she was in.
Approaching the dock during the surge
Approaching the dock during the surge
Large boats were up on the rocks and docks, then the water started to go out again. Captain Randy told the crew to get the emergency tiller out so we could try and steer the hell out of there “FAST”. But still the boat would not respond in the heavy currents with control of only one rudder. A couple of guys in the harbor who were able to save their company’s large Zodiac saw what was happening to Paragon and motored over.
After the guys offer of a tow, the bow line of Paragon was secure to the stern of the Zodiac. They pulled Paragon out through the heavy after current that was still flowing into the harbor and out to sea. Everyone on board breathed a sigh of relief and were thankful. After being towed away from the harbor entrance Captain Randy decided to lay anchor and fixed the steering. While he repaired the steering, the guests would talk about the mysterious grips of a Tsunami surge as they had lunch.
A few of the guest including an airline pilot praised Captain Randy and his crew for handling the situation the way they did and not getting a scratch on the boat. After lunch those who wanted to take a swim around the boat did so. After a refreshing dip in the warm waters a Mai Ti and or a beer were served.
After jury-rigging the rudder system, Paragon weighed anchor and started motoring back to Lahaina Harbor. Captain Randy explained to his guest that they would not sail back because the rudder fix may come undone and was thinking of their comfort and safety. They were in complete agreement with his decision.
Along the way Captain Randy spotted a pod of about 100 spinner dolphins about a mile away. Steering a course that would put them near the pod, it wasn’t long before the dolphins were next to Paragon. The dolphins stayed along side of the boat for 20 minutes, jumping out of the water and spinning at the same time.
Captain Randy had radio ahead and was in contact with the Lanai Ferry. They had picked up their guests after the surge and mentioned the conditions weren’t as bad. The Ferry made its way back to Lahaina Harbor before Paragon and radioed back that the conditions there wasn’t as bad there either. It was just a matter of timing.
Paragon was now approaching Lahaina Harbor and Captain Randy had is crew ready with the
emergency tiller that operated just one rudder. As Paragon was making the U turn into the loading dock, the current rushing out of the harbor caught the rudder and knocked the chain off.
The boat did two 360s between the breakwall and the dock with only 2 feet clearance with each spin.
a shipwreck near the entrance of Lahaina Harbor
Paragon started to drift towards the reef. At that point Captain Randy had one chance to hit reverse hard to back the boat parallel to the dock. With full throttle in reverse the boat with her fenders out glides next to the dock. The crew hurries to tie the bow and stern lines.
Captain Randy will remember this day of having been spun around within the circle of near disaster. Staying calm and keeping his thoughts clear, he had his guests back on land safe and sound. All who were on board the Paragon this day will take with them an adventure they will remember all their lives.
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