Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Hawaii Flies

A l o h a!
Welcome to the year 1929
and the first commercial flights in the Isles of Hawaii Two eight-passenger Sikorsky S-38 amphibian planes flew three weekly round trips from Honolulu to Maui and to the Big Island (Hawaii). Note the outrigger canoe!
"The most beautiful dream that has haunted the heart of man since Icarus is today reality."
— Louis Bleriot


"There is no sport equal to that which aviators enjoy while being carried through the air on great white wings."
— Wilbur Wright, 1905


Sikorsky S-43s came into service in 1935.
Flying Boat!




The first commercial aircraft in the isles, 1929
(right before the Sikorskys) a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker.
Above Photos Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines



In 1941 Inter-Island Airways changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines and traded up to the classic, 24-passenger, DC-3.


Interestingly, that original Bellanca shown above has been located in the possession of an Oregon collector and is being restored to flying condition. The legendary Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine company is collaborating with Hawaiian Air Lines (HAL) to return the grandpa aeroplane to Honolulu for special 80th Anniversary flights and exhibitions.


Islanders are proud when HAL tops the "on time" list year after year, especially since her little sister, Aloha Airlines closed down last year; That was like a death in the family.



Today, HAL flies worldwide charter services, and scheduled service to Pago Pago, American Samoa, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, and to Western Samoa.



We locals especially enjoy flying "our" airline between the West Coast and Home with daily flights to Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Seattle. When you get on the plane,
you're on Hawaiian turf. AHHHHH!


Let's enjoy the sights, shall we?
(Bonus Color Pics ;-)

Hawaiian Skies



"The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? —it is the same the angels breathe."
— Mark Twain
Limpid, Lazy, Lotus (-ussess)



"Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives."
— Socrates

Golden Palms Wave "Aloha."
To YOU!




So do I
;-)