What Does It Take To Save Mā‘alaea?

Although it only breaks on occasion, this world-class, righthand reef break is considered by many to be the fastest-running rideable wave on the planet. Dubbed ‘Freight Trains,’ the last significant swell to hit in 2022 caught surfers’ attention worldwide.

Photo: Dayanidhi Das / @1more808

Developers have periodically introduced plans to expand the harbor that was built in 1952, which would destroy the reef and ruin the wave. In 2012, after an on-again-off-again battle, Surfrider announced that it had struck a deal with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources to halt any plans for further harbor expansion.

Surfrider’s agreement with the Hawaiʻi DLNR is holding strong and there are no plans for development. Māʻalaea is one of the Maui Chapter’s Blue Water Task Force sites, so regular updates on the spot’s water quality, along with 36 other beaches on Maui, can be found here.