Peter T Young

December 28, 2015 by Peter T Young 8 Comments

Haleiwa Airfield

The date of construction of the Haleiwa airfield has not been determined. The earliest depiction of the field which has been located was a 1933 aerial photo, which depicted a group of B-6A biplanes on a grass field.

Haleiwa Field on the northwest coast of Oahu, 30-miles from Honolulu, was originally (prewar) a center for private flying.

“On the 3rd of December 1941 the 47th Pursuit Squadron was assigned to this base …. This was not a regular runway, just something comparable to an old country road rather than an airstrip. (HIAVPS)

Originally used as an emergency landing field, it had only an unpaved landing strip. Those on temporary duty there had to bring their own tents & equipment.

On December 7, 1941, combined forces of the Japanese Imperial Navy struck at Naval and Army installations on Oahu – and the secondary target was the fleet of American aircraft scattered about the island, aircraft that could disrupt the aerial assault and then follow the fleeing Japanese back to their carriers.

The first targets hit were the airfields: Wheeler, Kaneohe, Ewa, Hickam, Ford Island, Bellows and the civilian airport serving Honolulu. In the strafing and bombing, scores of American aircraft were destroyed in a few minutes. The Imperial bombers could then concentrate on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.

Haleiwa Field earned its place in history when it became the only airfield able to provide defense against the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Japanese heavily strafed the aircraft at Wheeler Field and few aircraft were able to get airborne to fend them off. Haleiwa was an auxiliary field to Wheeler and contained a collection of aircraft temporarily assigned to the field including aircraft from the 47th Pursuit Squadron.

A total of eight Curtiss P-40 Kitty Hawk and 2 Curtiss P-36 Mohawk pursuit planes were at the field on the morning of 7 December 1941.

Lt. George S. Welch (heir to the grape juice family) and 2nd Lt. Kenneth M. Taylor (on his first assignment,) both P-40 pilots, were at Wheeler when the attack began.

They had previously flown their P-40B fighters over to the small airfield at Haleiwa as part of a plan to disperse the squadron’s planes away from Wheeler.

Not waiting for instructions the pilots called ahead to Haleiwa and had both their fighters fueled, armed and warmed up. Both men raced in their cars to Haleiwa Field completing the 16-mile trip in about 15 minutes.

With their P-40s, now warmed up and ready, they jumped into their cockpits. The crew chiefs informed them that they should disperse their planes. “The hell with that”, said Welch. Ignoring the usual pre-takeoff checklists the aircraft took off down the narrow airstrip.

Once in the air they spotted a large number of aircraft in the direction of Ewa and Pearl Harbor. Only then did they realize what they were up against. “There were between 200 and 300 Japanese aircraft,” said Taylor; “there were just two of us!”

The two P-40s engaged the aircraft attacking Ewa Mooring Mast and shot down five Japanese planes. They then returned to Wheeler to replenish their ammunition. While there, another wave of dive bombers appeared and Lt. Taylor raced back into the air. His P-40’s cockpit was damaged as a Japanese plane chased him.

Lt. Welch was able to down the plane following him and they both returned back to Wheeler. Lt. Welch was credited with a total of four Japanese planes shot down and Lt. Taylor downed two.

Just as suddenly as it began, the sky was empty of enemy aircraft. Both are credited with being the first “Aces” of World War II. Taylor & Welch were both awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Walsh & Taylor’s dramatic ride & takeoff was shown in the movie Tora, Tora, Tora. (Trojan)

The Army improved the field during the early part of World War II and it was in use to simulate real battle conditions for gunnery training. In 1944 the Navy took the field over for carrier-landing training.

After the war Haleiwa Fighter Strip was apparently reused as a civilian airport for some period of time. Haleiwa was depicted as a civilian airport on the 1947 Hawaiian Islands Sectional Chart.

It was described as having a 4,800′ hard-surface runway. The Haleiwa Airport was apparently abandoned at some point between 1947-1961, as it was not depicted at all on the 1961 Honolulu Sectional Chart. (Trojan)

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Haleiwa Field, September 7, 1941

Haleiwa Field, September 4, 1941

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Bell P-39 aircraft at Haleiwa Field 1943-1944

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P-39 in background

Haleiwa Field, August 20, 1942

Haleiwa Field, 1942.

with A-24 and 2 PQ-8A target aircraft.

4 Bell P-39s fly over Haleiwa Field as maintenance work progresses at left.

December 25, 2015 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness and prosperity in the coming New Year! Merry Christmas!!!

One of my favorite Christmas songs, Henry Kapono – Merry Christmas to You:

December 24, 2015 by Peter T Young 5 Comments

Merry Christmas

Let’s not forget the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!!!

Here is Willie K singing O Holy Night:

December 21, 2015 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Malihini Tree

“The little ones who are looking forward to the Malihini Tree do not know anything about the sugar tariff, but they do know that Santa Claus will not come this year if anything should happen to the Malihini Tree.”

“They do not know anything about free sugar in 1916, but they do know that their little arms ache for a really doll, with really hair. They have not worried their little heads over dividends. They never heard of a dividend.”

“But they have their hearts set on being in line when that glorious tree glistens forth again in the Christmas morning sun. And they must not be disappointed. And they will not be disappointed.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 16, 1913)

“(T)he Malihini Christmas Tree was raised by some malihini who visited Honolulu two years ago, after discussion, they decided that it would be a fine thing to give presents to the children of this town, whereupon they collected money to purchase gifts and to do everything that would it enjoyable for them.” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

“In the beginning when the children started to move in line to where the presents were, the very first were the orphans of Kapiolani Home, and to those baby girls of the home who were given the first time in the previous year, they were given first and following them, everyone else.” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

“In the past two years, the Foreign Tree stood in Bishop Park, Ewa side of the Young Hotel, and it was there that the presents were distributed to the children who had tickets …”

“… but because of the decision to increase the amount of gifts with the knowledge that the number of children would be great, the tree was moved to grounds of the Executive Building and there the children would receive the presents.”

“Being that it was a great happening held on the morning of this past Monday, there were many folks who went to see the presents being given to the children, and the grounds were filled with people and children too, those children who had tickets and those as well who did not.”

“(T)here was an area cordoned off with children lined up reaching somewhere over two thousand. It was clear from the looks of the children who arrived that there were all the ethnicities who lived in this town; some were in their dress clothes, while others were in their everyday clothes which showed how poor they were.”

“There were other poor children, but because they did not obtain a ticket, none of them approached the place where the gifts were being handed out, and some people came with presents for them.”

“There was a long table filled with presents of all sorts that were separated so there would be no confusion, and from there the gifts were given as per the sort of child; …”

“… if it was a boy, they would give a gift appropriate to him, and if it was a girl, she would receive only a gift that would befit her; and every child was counted for; the table was heaped up with things from fruits to dolls and toys.”

“Overall, what is to be said about the Malihini Tree that was set up this year was that the public cannot hold back giving their admiration and appreciation to the people who gave their assistance in promoting this tree …”

“… for there is no other tree of this type in any other place of the world; it is only here in this Town and County of Honolulu, for the benefit of the poor children.” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

“It draws no lines of creed, color, race nor location, the only limitation it places upon those it benefits being that they come from homes where Santa Claus can not find them. This year, if the plans of the committee can be fully carried unit, the tree will bear gifts for sixteen hundred boys and girls.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 7, 1910)

“However, we never forget, we can never forget, that the loving founders of this particular and to-be-famous Tree, were tourists in our midst, travelers, and they were inspired so to speak, to donate a special tree for poor children and manifest their love for Honolulu and their interest in that way. They were thinking of their loved ones far over the sea.”

“And they could not stand idle at that blessed season and so they hastened to give and to try to make happy, at least for that one day.”

“And it was a marvelous outpouring such as the city had not known. It was an original a unique affair, and the message of love struck home to every heart. And so, is now well-rooted the malihini tree for all the coming years as we do believe.”

“With all the rest it seems the very best and easiest method of reaching all and giving a happy outing to all, receiving each his own gift and sharing also to the full in the joy and gladness of the hundreds of little comrades a treat, too, of music and of laughter …”

“… for what can be more musical than the merry laughter of children at such a time! True melody and always welcome to the ear.” (Honolulu Times, January 1, 1911)

“The Malihini Christmas Tree returns big dividends. It returns more to the ones who contribute than it gives to the children, and, why should there be several hundred Christmas-less baby boys and baby girls in this city …”

“… even if the rich have to pay fifty cents a pound for turkey and cannot buy each other as expensive presents as usual? … The high cost of living has hit the family where poi is the staff of life, just as hard as it has hit the people who simply have to have plenty of eggs in their cake even if they do cost six cents each.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 16, 1913)

“The founders of the Malihini Tree established the one form of Christmas giving that reaches into every part of the city and takes in every needy child that can be found.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, December 7, 1910)

“And in that spirit, the tree was again put up on that day for the children, and it was a joyous thing for those who gave the gifts …” (Kuokoa, December 30, 1910)

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1911 Malihini Christmas Tree Honolulu, HI

Malihini Tree – PCA-Dec_28,_1910

Malihini Xmas Tree Honolulu, HI

Malihini Xmas Tree Santa Claus Honolulu, HI

The Malihini Christmas Tree Honolulu, HI

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Malihini Tree -Hawaiian Gazette-Dec_29,_1913

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Malihini Tree – Dec_29,_1913

Malihini Tree – Hawaiian Gazette-Dec_16,_1913

December 14, 2015 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Mauka-Makai Watch

Before I became Chair and Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources I was Deputy Managing Director for Hawaiʻi County. I had regular (daily) interaction with the Police Department on a wide variety of issues.

Police tell us that an engaged community is one of the best ways to reduce crime. They then help organize and support Neighborhood Watch programs across the Islands.

It’s a program that discourages preventable crime by organizing awareness meetings to help neighbors get to know one another and look out for each other, and recognize and report suspicious activity.

At DLNR, we initiated the Mauka-Makai Watch program. It’s modeled after the successful Neighborhood Watch program; the intent is to get communities working with resource managers and enforcement.

However, here community volunteers focus on natural and cultural resources, especially the coastline and nearshore waters, when partnering with Department of Land and Natural Resources DLNR enforcement officers.

The program incorporated experience DLNR had with the Miloliʻi community, with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy and the Community Conservation Network, as well as with the Wai ‘Opae community.

The Mauka-Makai Watch program is based on the idea that the people who use, live closest to or are involved with the resources are in the best position to help in ensuring compliance with resource protection and preservation. Think of it as a community “watch” program in the forests and/or coastal areas.

It’s not about vigilantism or exclusion, but simply a willingness to help prevent wrong-doing through presence and education, look out for suspicious activity, monitor and care for the resources, and report inappropriate activity to law enforcement and to each other.

The program is flexible and versatile; it can focus on marine and coastal related context under a “Makai Watch” reference, or it can center on forest, hunting or other inland issues under a “Mauka Watch” reference. Or, it can incorporate a broad, comprehensive network linking inland and coastal matters under a Mauka-Makai Watch.

Most attention has been to the “Makai” aspect of the program. Makai Watch focuses on caring for near-shore marine resources with the active participation of local communities.

Makai Watch volunteers in over ten communities across the state serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ for conservation and resource enforcement officials (DLNR-DOCARE), as well as help monitor and protect the resources.

The Makai Watch Program was initially created as a partnership effort by the DLNR and several non-governmental organizations including Community Conservation Network (CCN), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Hawaii Wildlife Fund (HWF) and several community-based organizations.

Community-supported natural and cultural resource protection and preservation programs represent a win-win opportunity. DLNR wants and needs citizens to take more personal and collective responsibility for protecting the resources.

Over the years, DLNR has developed various programs to involve communities in resource protection and management. Until now, these programs worked interdependently and, although very successful, lacked a coordinated effort by the department.

When the community is part of an ongoing stewardship-type presence and educational outreach, they can help monitor and care for the resources. This protection can also extend to being aware of suspicious activity, and reporting it to each other and law enforcement.

The Makai Watch Program has grown over the past 10-years and DLNR partners with communities and non-governmental organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Kua‘aina Ulu Auamo, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, Project SEA-Link and funding provided by Conservation International Hawaii and the Harold K Castle Foundation.

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Makai_Watch