Many thanks to the hearty volunteers who drove up to Puuloa to herbicide the Gorse. It was hot and dry and windy. But that didn’t stop us from our determined efforts to erradicate the evil plant. Mike Robinson helped direct us into some kind of organized approach. Darren, Jeff and I worked on the lower back and right side. Neil made the hike to the top with at least two tank fulls. Yeti and Charlie (Darth-Crocker) worked the lower plants that refuse to be killed. Bobby supervised and provided humor. Greg worked the power sprayer. Sorry if I forgot anyone, but again, Mahalo, as this volunteer effort helps preserve one of our precious few launch sites.

Onomea Eric

 Well it took me at least an hour to get ABOVE Peter to take these shots…. clouds make a GPS or Compas standard equipment at Kealakekua…Nice flying with you Peter, Neil

 This is a view of our beloved Rock Bottom Road LZ from the air. All visiting pilots need to become familiar with it! The normal approach is from the east (top right of photo) as the air will generally be coming from the bay. If you look closely, you can see Moku weed-eating the approach. Neil

Peter called me early Monday morning in an excited state to relate his tale of finally getting sustained lift off the Kealakekua site. For us Hilo guys, it is quite a drive and commitment to fly the Kona side. Many attempts and many sled rides, a few half hour mild lift flights, but never up, up and away. So it was with great exhilaration that Peter reported going up into the white room, staying up for several hours, and needing big ears to desend.

Congradulations Peter

Just got back from a week in Montana celebrating the graduation of my son from MSU in Bozeman. Of course I brought my wing and “Yeti” let me borrow the new ultralight harness from Sky. The hike up was steep and the harness made it easy. I managed some exhilarating flights off the “M”. As you can see the launch is very very steep.

Onomea Eric

It’s that time of year again for our club to pull together for a fly and spray day at Pu’u Loa. I met with Mike Robinson and we walked the Pu’u to evaluate the areas that need spraying. Of course I had to fly to get a birds eye view of the whole situation! It’s looking real good but the Gorse is a tenacious little bugger and needs attention. 

So put it on your calendars for JULY 14th to meet up at Pu’u Loa. 

Bring sprayers and water, masks, beer, etc., oh, and your wings. I have the chemicals and will spearhead this effort. You’ll be hearing from me!

 Aloha Yeti

I met with Mike Robinson, DHHL, and for those who don’t know him, he gives us the incredible privalage of a lease to several Pu’us, revokable at anytime. Keep this in mind when you get lazy and decide to 4×4 to the top of the training hill. (see photos). I did my best to dispel the fact that it was not us but the fact remains that a truck went up top of our hill then returned straight down the face and the foot tracks and the seven colorful streamers were left behind, this weekend, (which I removed). This makes me and us look like idiots, l felt like a PG pilot with his hand caught in the perverbial cookie jar! To say the best he was understanding and that it was just a matter of education. Let us remember the “GOLDEN” rule of PG hiking. 

Leave it as if no one ever was there. What’s wrong with us? We deserve to lose our lease. But that will not happen because I’m totally committed to saving and getting more sites. Because Mike is such a respectable man and understands that we, the hawaiians and the haoli locals need to be educated about the respect for the Aina, he is not only willing to extend our lease, as of July 1st, but will actually explore two more Pu’us at the access to Mauna Kea at my request. We are permitted access to our sites but we have to park to the side of Mana Rd and hike to our destination. Are we not purists? 

This coming from a motorhead and free pilot. We need to watch what we leave behind at Pu’u Loa also. I counted 18 new and old streamers there! What the HELL guys! The permanent wind sock at the bottom was acceptable to Mike and the one at the top too. We don’t need one at the top though. Can’t you guys feel it on your ears, neck, face? If you can’t may I suggest a mountain flying clinic! I will be happy to do that for those of lesser experience. FREE!

Take your streamers, socks and any traces of us when you leave or we WILL lose our lease. We can be sure of it if we cannot be responsible PG pilots. Guys, we have to earn our stay, help me out. I’m doing this at my own expense because I so love this sport. Aloha Yeti, secretary to BISA and the most die hard pilot you’ll ever meet !!!!!!!!!!! 

  

Scotty guiding Greg Christopher in for Landing

 Gene Dursin in his new Sport III

Greg Christopher doing battle with irrigation lines in runway A-1A approach.

Miles

Moku

Neil

Noah

Shawn

Barry

Charlie

The last couple of Saturdays various hardworking members of our club have assembled in the morning at the new LZ. Cutting of trees, weedeating, removal of wire cages, rigging of windsocks, hand pulling of weeds, hauling crap….etc. Luckily as each morning progressed and clouds started to form our minds were changed from work to FLYING!!!!