Hi Ken

Good luck on your trip!

I can't say I've ever flown to Hawaii in anything other than a big silver bird but I have raced sailboats there many times and won 5 of the races.  I've been the navigator/tactician on many of them and for any serious racer, you have to predict the Pacific High and it's movement.  In fact "navigator" is really a misnomer, we're really the electronic warfare specialists, the navigator is a little hand held box!  Anyway, my point is that you may want to look at flying a bit further than great circle and plot a course to use the tradewinds more.  For that kind of route, you would sag south and as you cross the ridge, turn west.  The ridge is semi-permanent artifact in the north Pacific running in a line from about Cabo to the center of the High.  The Pacific High is generally located about 800-1000 miles north of Hawaii and the High is the "mother" of the trade winds.  And all winds blow out from it clockwise and at about a 15 degree angle from the isobars.  I haven't ever had to look at the winds aloft so I can't tell you what you might find up there but I would suspect it would be similar but stronger.  Anyway, you should run some simulations and see if the extra difference is offset by the tailwinds.  And you should also plan on going when the Pacific High is compact with an intense high in the center and with a steep gradient. Like 1030 mb.  One guy that's helped me analyse the weather is Bob Rice, the owner of "Ocean Routes" and the same guy that's helped Steve Fawcett in his around the world balloon trip.   He could help you plan a good day to leave and help with the best winds.

The real problem may be the return where you have to deal with headwinds.

I've won the race solo to Hwaii three times so I'd be the last guy to say your nuts!  I say go for it!

Dan Newland

ES #61