Aloha Hawaii - Hanalei to Hilo
The American state of Hawaii is located in the mid-Pacific Ocean and comprises an archipelago of 137 islands. The island chain is geographically part of Oceania’s Polynesia, and is the only American state that is not part of the North American continent. The chain of islands spans 1,500 miles, and trends northwest-southeast. It comprises two subregions, the Northwestern (Leeward) Islands and the Southeastern (Windward) Islands. All of the islands are volcanic, and all of them formed due to magma upwelling from what geologists call the Hawaii Hotspot as the Pacific Plate moved gradually in a southeast to northwest direction. As a result of this geologic activity, the oldest islands in Hawaii are members of the Northwestern (Leeward) Island group. The youngest of the islands, including Hawaii (also called the 'Big Island'), Maui, Oahu, and Kaui, are all part of the Southeastern (Windward) Islands.
The islands of Hawaii abound with myriad diverse sights for the aviator: coastlines of eroded lava, deeply-incised and heavily forested peaks, small islets, and modern architecture. This bush trip encompasses the best that Hawaii has to offer. From within the cockpit of a Cessna 152, enjoy Hawaii’s sights while hopping from island to island in this mid-Pacific wonder realm!
Total Legs: 7 Total Distance: 480 Total Time(125kts): 3 hours 50 minutes
Leg 1
Princeville to Dillingham Airfield
Leg Distance: 120.25 Approximate time at 125kts: 58 minutes.
Princeville(HI01) to Ha'ena State Park(POI1)
Distance: 7.7NM Bearing: 266° 4 minutes
After lifting off from Princeville Airport on the island of Kauai, head to the west, passing just south of the town of Princeville and then out over a series of small coves. Fly over the dramatic coastline at Ha’ena State Park at the far northern coast of Kaui. The park protects beaches and ancient Hawaiian archaeological cave sites.
Ha'ena State Park(POI1) to Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve(POI2)
Distance: 6.41NM Bearing: 173° 3 minutes
Turn to the south, gaining altitude to fly over the dramatic landscapes of the Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve, including the world famous Na Pali Coastline, characterized by steeply-incised cliff faces.
Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve(POI2) to Alkalai Swamp(POI3)
Distance: 3.24NM Bearing: 113° 2 minutes
Turn to the southeast and continue to gain altitude, passing over Alkalai Swamp, a series of bogs fed by runoff from nearby Mount Wai’ale’ale.
Alkalai Swamp(POI3) to Mount Wai'ale'ale(POI4)
Distance: 2.52NM Bearing: 103° 1 minutes
Continue on course and pass over the summit of Mount Wai’ale’ale. Located near the middle of Kauai, Mount Wai’ale’ale, which roughly translates “abundant water,” is the second highest peak on the island at 5,148 feet above sea level. The peak, which is an eroded shield volcano, is renowned as one of the wettest locations on the planet; it receives an average of 450 inches of rain per year – 37.5 feet of rain! The mountain is often shrouded in clouds throughout the year.
Mount Wai'ale'ale(POI4) to Waimea(POI5)
Distance: 11.87NM Bearing: 224° 6 minutes
Turn to the southwest and fly over the small coastal city of Waimea. Waimea was the site of the first European contact of the Hawaiian Islands when British navigator Captain James Cook’s two ships arrived at the location on January 20, 1778.
Waimea(POI5) to Koloa(KOLOA)
Distance: 11.67NM Bearing: 95° 6 minutes
From Waimea, turn to the east-southeast and parallel the coast, flying just inland of the shoreline, to reach the city of Koloa, one of the southernmost communities on the island of Kauai.
Koloa(KOLOA) to Lihue(LIHUE)
Distance: 8.18NM Bearing: 47° 4 minutes
Turn to the northeast and parallel the coastline to reach the city of Lihue.
Lihue(LIHUE) to O'hau(O'HAU)
Distance: 64.89NM Bearing: 102° 31 minutes
At Lihue, turn to the southeast and fly over the Kauai Channel, which separates Kauai from the island of O’ahu. Also called the Kaieiewaho Channel, it is the deepest of all nine main channels of the Hawaiian Islands at 10,890 feet and measures just over 72 miles in width. The area is used extensively for military aviation and naval exercises. Like many channels of the Hawaiian Islands, a number of people have attempted to swim across the Kauai Channel. The challenge was finally completed in 2010 as a relay between two swimmers. After flying over the channel, arrive at the island of O’ahu, the most populous of the Hawaiian Islands and home to its capital, Honolulu.
O'hau(O'HAU) to Dillingham Airfield(PHDH)
Distance: 3.77NM Bearing: 74° 2 minutes
Dillingham Airfield: Arrive at the island of O’ahu at Ka’ena Point, the westernmost point of the island of O’ahu, then land at Dillingham Airfield, which is aligned parallel to the coastline just to the east of Ka’ena Point.
Leg 2
Dillingham Airfield to Molokai
Leg Distance: 70.99 Approximate time at 125kts: 34 minutes.
Dillingham Airfield(PHDH) to Mokuleia(POI6)
Distance: 2.48NM Bearing: 80° 1 minutes
After lifting off from Dillingham Airfield, parallel the coast to the east to reach Mokuleia.
Mokuleia(POI6) to Waipau(POI7)
Distance: 14.16NM Bearing: 135° 7 minutes
From Mokuleia, turn to the southeast, flying over the interior of O’ahu, passing over Schofield Barracks, a U.S. Army installation. Continue over the Waianae Mountains, and sight Honolulu in the distance, then pass over Waipahu. Waipahu has its roots in the sugar cane cultivation industry.
Waipau(POI7) to Honolulu(POI8)
Distance: 9.5NM Bearing: 109° 5 minutes
From Waipahu, fly over Pearl Harbor and then parallel the coastline to Honolulu, the most populous city in Hawaii and the state capital. The word Honolulu roughly translates to “sheltered harbor,” and today it is Hawaii’s main seaport, airport, and center of business, finance, and tourism. Being located in the mid-Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is the most remote of America’s large cities and the most remote capital.
Honolulu(POI8) to Diamond Head State Monument(POI9)
Distance: 4.17NM Bearing: 125° 2 minutes
Continue paralleling the coast, flying southeast from Honolulu, to reach Diamond Head. Diamond Head is an eroded volcanic cone on the southern shore of O’ahu, and provides spectacular views of the natural forms and topography of this part of Hawaii and the architecture of the city.
Diamond Head State Monument(POI9) to Molokai(POI10)
Distance: 30.22NM Bearing: 95° 15 minutes
From Diamond Head, set a course to the east-southeast and pass over the 26-mile-wide Molokai Channel. Also called the Kaiwi Channel, the Molokai Channel is one of the world’s most treacherous bodies of water due to regional ocean currents in the area combined with frequent high winds. Long distance swimmers, paddleboarders, and outrigger canoeists frequently attempt crossing the Molokai Channel. Sight the island of Molokai and pass over its western shores at Small Bay.
Molokai(POI10) to Molokai(PHMK)
Distance: 10.46NM Bearing: 75° 5 minutes
Molokai Airport: Fly along the spine of the island of Molokai and land at Molokai Airport, which lies at roughly the midpoint between the island’s north and south shores.