Hawaii Travel Newsletter
Hawaii Travel Newsletter

Contacts - Event Calendar - Newsletter Sign-Up - Photos - Search - Shop - Site Map
Hawaii --> Activities --> Sports --> Swimming --> Forrest Nelson Swam From Oahu to Molokai
Hawaii Travel
Islands of Hawaii
© Joe Solem



Trip Planner
Hawaii News
Activities
Attractions
Dining
Events
Lodging
Photos
Transportation

Islands
Oahu
Big Island
Maui
Kauai
Molokai
Lanai
Niihau
Kahoolawe
Molokini
Northwest

More Topics
Articles
Arts
Beaches
Books
Culture
History
Nature
Recipes
Sports



Subscribe to our atom formatted newsfeed
xml


Forrest Nelson Swam From Oahu to Molokai
March 15, 2006

Information about Forrest Nelson's history swim between the Hawaiian islands of Oahu to Molokai and a chronology of other swimmers who have crossed the Kaiwi Channel.

On March 15, 2006, 40 year old radio show writer Forrest Nelson of Los Angeles became the seventh athlete to successfully swim cross the Kaiwi Channel, and only the second athlete in history to swim across the channel in the Oahu-to-Molokai direction.

Difficulties encountered during the swim inlcluded several hours of nausea, two difficult currents, and swimming through a line of trash that caused some concern about being attacked by sharks.

Forrest Nelson completed the 27 mile swim in 16 hours and 36 minutes. He began his swim at Sandy Beach on the south shore of Oahu at 12:20 a.m. and he arrived at Kawakiu Beach on the island of Molokai at 4:56 p.m. that same day.

Forrest Nelson is an experienced long distance swimmer, including swimming across the English Channel. In May of 2006 he plans to swim around Alcatraz Island in Northern California and in September of 2006 he plans to return to Hawaii to swim the Kawai channel again in the Molokai-to-Oahu direction.

The only other swimmer to cross in that same direction was Dr. Harry Huffaker, who swam from Molokai to Oahu 1967. Dr Huffaker is also the only swimmer to cross that channel in both directions. He crossed from Oahu to Molokai in 1972.

Other Swimmers Who Crossed the Kaiwi Channel

Kaiwi Channel Swimmers - Molokai to Oahu
  • 1961 - Keo Nakama (first certified crossing)
  • 1967 - Harry Huffaker (first to swim both directions)
  • 1974 - Jonathan Ezer
  • 1979 - Mike Miller and Ian Emberson
  • 1994 - Robin Isayama (first woman to cross)

    Kaiwi Channel Swimmers - Oahu to Molokai
  • 1972 - Harry Huffaker (first to swim both directions)
  • 2006 - Forrest Nelson

    Related Resources

    More on the Web About Forrest Nelson:
  • 2006: Honolulu Advertiser March 24, 2006 Article
  • 2005: Forrest Nelson 1st at 2005 Tampa Bay Marathon Swim
  • 2005: Forrest Nelson's 40th Birthday English Channel Swim
  • 2005: Los Angeles Times August 2, 2005 Article
  • 2005: MIT August 3, 2005 Article
  • 2002: Pismo Beach to Avila Pier Swim

    See also:
  • Rules for Hawaiian Channel Swims
  • More About Swimming in Hawaii



  • Related Links
    Sports in Hawaii - Main Menu
    Islands of Hawaii
    Forum for Hawaii Visitors
    Hawaii Travel Newsletter



    Kathleen
    Editor Kathie Fry

    2008 Hawaii Event Calendar

    Hawaiian Music History
    Karen Keawehawaii Singing with Raiatea Helm


    2008 Hawaii Wall Calendar
    2008 Hawaii Wall Calendars


    Hawaiian Airlines


    Hawaiian Shop
    Books - Music
    Posters - Videos


    Hawaiian Culture on the Mainland
    (by state)

    USS Arizona Memorial
    Photos of Hawaii

    Guide to Maui Condominiums

    Maui by Hapa
    Albums of the Year from 1978 through 2006


    Oahu Bakeries
    Best Oahu Bakeries


    Hawaii Wildlife Viewing Guide
    New Book: Hawaii Wildlife Viewing Guide


    Ancient Hawaii
    New Book: The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai


    East Wind Rain
    New Book About the 1941 Niihau Incident


    Subscribe to our Atom formatted newsfeed
    xml
    About Us - Advertising - Contacts - Link to Us - Submit URL - Site Map


    Email Address for the Hawaii Travel Newsletter
    Hawaii Travel Newsletter Editor