Hawaii’s Alenuihaha Channel is a place where sailors rely heavily upon their own analysis of the oceanographic circumstances — it’s a place where Gale-driven conditions are typical, and official forecasts are often incorrect. Alenuihaha sailors must prepare to handle anything the channel throws at them.
“Crossing the Alenuihaha on any given day is a challenge. To be ready, at the edge, aware of every circumstance and consequence laying ahead, proves mastery. However, to summit the Alenuihaha with full-awareness of the risks defines a pinnacle-moment in one’s sailing career.” Paul Exner
Paul Exner has crossed the Alenuiahaha more times than anyone by sail since 2018 — the most senior and experienced sailing instructor actively practicing and innovating sail-coaching methodology anywhere in the world.
“I use proven sail-coaching methodology and a leadership-development approach for offshore sailing teams backed by decades of experience innovating and delivering sail-training expeditions. I coach sailors to know everything I know so they can do it masterfully, for themself — I task them to create and evolve our route and details, then execute a technically sophisticated itinerary traversing the Alenuihaha Channel.” Paul Exner
HAWAII
Alenuihaha Expedition
JANUARY 10-17, 2026
Alenuihaha Channel — the topographic / bathymetric cross-sectional view looking east between Big Island and Maui, Hawaii.
“To conquer heavy weather — a sailor must own the fundamentals of extreme sailing found by training vigorously for it, and gained only by taking responsibility for actions immersed in sea-experience.” Paul Exner