268 MacCauGHEy: THE STRAND FLORA 
CURRENTS IN THE VICINITY OF HAWAII 
The United States Coast Pilot contains data concerning the 
local island currents, which may be summarized as follows. The 
strong northeast trades begin early in March, blowing well from 
the northward until May, and from then until October they are 
more easterly. During October the trades are light with frequent 
calms, and occasionally a west southwest swell sets in. During 
November and December the trades are strong and variable, 
occasionally being interruped by light southerly winds. During 
anuary and February southerly and southwesterly gales often 
prevail. These are konas and are from a few hours to two or three 
days duration, followed by rain. 
Hawatl.—Generally, the currents follow the trades but occa- 
sionally they set against the wind. A current follows the coast 
north of Cape Kumukahi around Upolu Point; another one fol- 
lows the trend of the coast offshore southwestward from Cape 
Kumukahi around Kalae and northward as far as Upolu Point. 
There is an inshore current that sets southward from Okoe Landing 
along the west coast around Kalae, and thence northeastward 
along the shore as far as Keauhou. 
Maul.—Generally the currents set with the trades... A current 
follows the north shore of Maui westward from Kauiki Head and 
draws down through Pailolo Channel; the current is stronger on 
the Molokai side of the channel. A strong current follows the 
coast southward of Kauiki Head until past Kahoolawe. In the 
vicinity of Lahaina the current generally sets northwestward. 
Mo.oxkal.—The current sets westward along the entire north- 
erly coast, and about half the length of ‘the southerly shore, where 
an easterly current prevails. 
OaHu.—The currents around Oahu are variable in strength 
and direction, but the general movement of the water along the 
coast is westward or northwestward, the direction being modified 
by the trend of the coast. 
Kaval.—Currents are very uncertain as to direction but they 
generally follow the winds, though frequently setting in the oppo- 
site direction during the first calms after strong trades. 
A careful study of any good map which depicts the ocean cur- 
