Aviation in Hawaii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aviation in Hawaii |
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|---|---|
| Aviation in the United States | |
Hawaii State Flag
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| Airports | |
| Commercial – primary | 7 |
| Commercial – non-primary | 1 |
| General aviation | 6 |
| Military and other airports | 7 |
| First flight | |
| 2 March 1889 (Lighter than air), December 1910 (Heavier than air) | |
Hawaii saw its very first flight event on March 2, 1889. A man named Emil L. Melville floated in the sky, hanging from a trapeze under a balloon! Later, on December 31, 1910, Hawaii's first airplane flight happened. It was a Curtiss Biplane that took to the skies.
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Key Aviation Events in Hawaii
- In 1913, Lieutenant Harold Geiger flew early airplanes like the Curtiss Model E from Fort Kamehameha.
- In 1925, John Rodgers tried to fly non-stop from California to Hawaii in a Naval Aircraft Factory PN plane.
- In January 1927, Lewis Hawaiian Tours began offering flights between the islands. They used a five-seat Ryan plane that had been changed for these trips.
- Also in 1927, the Dole Air Race challenged pilots to fly from Oakland, California to Honolulu. Only two out of eight planes finished this tough race.
- On July 26, 1931, Lieutenant John C. Crain set a world record for glider endurance. He stayed in the air for 16 hours and 38 minutes, helped by searchlights, before landing at Kaneohe Bay.
- On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. This event led to America joining World War II.
- In January 1949, Bill Odom flew a Beechcraft Bonanza plane non-stop from Waikiki to the mainland U.S. In March of the same year, he flew the same plane an amazing 5,273 miles from Waikiki to Teterboro, New Jersey.
- On January 3, 1950, Pan American Airways completed the first commercial non-stop flight from Tokyo to Honolulu.
Hawaii's Role in Aerospace and Space Exploration
The Hawaiian Islands are a special place for scientific research. Scientists here study astronomy, robotics, and aerospace technology. Hawaii is home to some of the world's largest telescopes. These powerful telescopes are located near the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island.
The sand on Hawaii's volcanic mountains is very similar to the chemical makeup of the Moon. This unique feature allows scientists to test equipment for lunar missions right here on Earth. This way, they can practice before sending things into space.
Hawaii is also the home state of U.S. astronaut Ellison Onizuka. The Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center is named after him. At the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, there is a museum that explores the connection between ancient Polynesian explorers and modern space exploration. NASA has even announced plans for a lunar research park in Hilo. The University of Hawaii has helped with these missions by providing volunteers through a program called PISCES. Students at the University of Hawaii have also designed models for future space colonization.
Airports in Hawaii
- Honolulu International Airport is a very busy airport. It serves over 9 million passengers every year.
- You can find a full list of airports in Hawaii at List of airports in Hawaii.
Flying Between the Islands
Hawaiian Airlines is the biggest airline that operates locally in Hawaii. It started flying on October 6, 1929, as Inter-Island Airways. Its first plane was a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker. Another airline, Go! Mokulele, also provides flights between the islands. This airline is a partnership between Mesa Airlines and Republic Airways Holdings.
Aviation Museums
- The Pacific Aviation Museum is a great place to visit. It is located on Ford Island and teaches visitors about aviation history.
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Pearl Harbor
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