Hawaii Aviation

Maui

1947 National Airport Plan for Hana Airport

AIRPORTS & AIRFIELDS

The first flight to Maui was made by Army Major Harold Clark on May 9, 1918 from Fort Kamehameha on Oahu. When Major Clark tried to continue the flight to the Big Island he crashed on the slopes of Mauna Kea. It took him and his passenger two days and nights to walk out to civilization. This was the first inter-island flight.

Hamoa Airport (Old Hana Airport)

The original Hana Airport was a small grass field located at Hamoa. It was served by Inter-Island Airways with eight-passenger amphibians from May 1935 to the start of World War II.

Hana Airport

The new Hana Airport was officially opened on November 11, 1950 to serve residents of Hana and visitors.

Kaanapali Airstrip

The Kaanapali airstrip was built by Amfac, Inc. at a cost of $40,000 to provide direct access to the developing resort area of Kaanapali. It opened in June 1962.

Kahului Airport

The history of Kahului Airport was one of extensive negotiations that began with the passing of Joint Resolution 18 on May 19, 1947 by the Territorial Legislature. It noted, “As the U.S. Navy will abandon use of its Kahului Airport on Maui, and this airport may be more economically operated and provide safer airplane operations than the territorially owned airport at Puunene.

Kapalua Airport (West Maui)

Hawaiian Airlines developed and constructed Kapalua Airport for less than $9 million after the private Kaanapali Airstrip was closed. The airport opened on March 1, 1987. The airport is located in West Maui, approximately .03 miles above Honoapiilani Highway on 57 acres of land.

Kula Airport

The Superintendent of the Territorial Public Works Department proposed constructing a Class I airport at Kula, Maui. The strip was chosen to encourage inter-island flying by small private and charter planes and to encourage private flying by the residents of Maui.

Lahaina Airport

On October 6, 1941, Act 35, SLH 1941, appropriated $5,000 for an airport in Lahaina. Due to the onset of World War II, the funds were never expended.

Maalaea Airport

Maalaea Airport operated on Maui from 1930 to 1939 when Puunene Airport opened.

Maui Airport (Puunene)

On June 15, 1938, Governor’s Executive Order No. 804 set aside 300.71 acres of land at Pulehunui for the new Maui Airport to be under the control and management of the Superintendent of Public Works. The Department of Public Works started construction on the new airport shortly after July 1, 1938. The airport was opened on June 30 1939.

SEAPLANE ANCHORAGES

Hana Bay	The shore of Hana Bay is rocky except for two gravel beaches. Provisions and water can be obtained in limited quantities. Small stock of ordinary gasoline. No hotels in village.
Kahului Harbor	The shores of the bay are low and sandy; much higher ground is to be found on both sides of the harbor at a distance of 2 or 3 miles.
Lahaina Roads	The cost consist of a low sandy beach with fringe of coconut and algebra trees back of which the cane fields extend inland for about 2 miles. Between Lahaina and Mala the highway skirts the shore, and the automobile lights along the road are usually the only lights visible. Lahaina village is situated among the trees near the beach.