On Sunday January 28th, Moku Busch and Bill Morris became members of the “4,000 Foot Club” by obviously flying higher than 4,000 feet above sea level at Kealakekua. Comments were heard later like: I was above cloud base, well that is if there WAS a cloud base! I flew with an I’O, well actually above an I’O since the there was no food up here. I saw the tops of a bunch of wings, and they looked tiny….If my radio worked that high I would have reported my position and invited everyone to join me… and so forth! Congratulations

The payoff for living in one of the rainiest cities in the world, is that we also get the cleanest air and clearest skies found anywhere on the planet. Friday, January 26 was one of those rare afternoons. No wind, no clouds, in 80 degree temperatures…. A view of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Puu oo, Onomea and Hilo Bay even Kapohoo, with whales breaching by the dozens. Darren Campbell, Kirk Deffebach and myself launched from my front yard, playing in the afternoon skies until our fuel tanks dwindled. A quick refuel, then up again beneath the rising moon, flying until the sun faded behind the mountain.

Onomea Eric