The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1921-02-18
KAHULUI HARBOR
WELLADAPTEDFOR
BASE OF AVIATION
Expedition That Is Investigat-
ing Possibilities of Islands
For Defensive Purposes Is
Well Received.

Sea-planes and Eagle boats, two of
each. came TO Kahului harbor shortly
before noon on Tuesday and two of
the planes and one boat remained un-
til yesterday morning, the other boat
leaving Wednesday evening. The visit
is made in the course of 15OO-mile
tour of the Islands to secure all pos
sible information as to the harbors
of the Hawaiian group available for
wartime usage and in addition avia-
ton bases will be located on every
Island. Another purpose of the expe-
dition is to determine the aviation
maintenance facilities of each Island
and each community. The government
wants to know to what extent each
Island is capable of handling repairs
and maintenance of an aviation unit
Eagle boats and 40, two "Fords of
the Sea-" and two flying boats of the
H2SL type made up the fleet Lieut..
o. p. Kilmer is flight commander and
is quoted as having said that Kahului
is eXcellently adapted for an aviation
base; is a splendid landing place, a
adequate repair facilities and ample
supplies and he believes it should be
selected as such base for flying boats
and Eagle craft.
Lieutenant Kilmer served in France
with the northern bombing group.
Entertainment offered
Tuesday afternoon the officers of
the fleet were entertained by William
Walsh, superintendent of the Kahului
Railroad and that evening they were
rendered a dance at the Grand Hotel
The dance had been quickly arranged
and although it took the nature of an
impromptu affair was as smoothly
conducted as if days of preparation
had been possible and was a thorough
ly enjoyable affair.
Wednesday the men from the boats
had shore leave. They were mostly
a young looking lot of clean cut chaps.
For them dance was held at the
Alexander House Gym Wednesday
evening. That also was hastily ar
ranged by some of the settlement staff
but the navy boys said it was the
most enjoyable event they had exper-
fenced since coming to the Islands.
1t had been planned for the Eagle
boats to leave Wednesday night but
arrangements We're made so that one
and the planes could remain till yes
terday morning and so the dance was
made possible. The Settlement fur
nished transportation.
Qualification Expressed
Before departing yesterday morning
Lieutenant Kilmer sent the following
letter to Maui News:
AT Kahului, Hawaii,
February 16, 1921.
Editor Maui News,
Because of the impossibility of
personally thanking the many kind
folks of Maui who have so royalty en-
tertained the officers and men of the
Eagle Forty and the Eagle Six, and
the officers and men operating the two
Navy flying boats in making an aerial
survey of Hawaii, may l request 2
favor?
"Please express through your col
umns the individual and collective ap-
precaition o fthe officers and men of
this expedition for the hospitality we
have been accorded by the people of
Maui
For the most of us, this is our first
visit to Maui, whose hospitality is |
famed afar. And now we can under |
Stand and wholeheartedly subscribe TO |
your motto; Maui no ka OF.
with best wishes to the people of |
Maui and to you personally, l am,
yours very truly,
20. p. KILMER,
Lieut.. U. S. Navy,
"Flipht Commander "