SAVE KAWAIHAPAI (DILLINGHAM) AIRFIELD
This GOFUNDME is to save Dillingham Airfield, aka. Kawaihapai Airfield, northern Oahu’s only publicly accessible airport. If nothing is done, the public will lose access to Dillingham Airfield on June 30, 2021. 100% of the donations made here will go towards saving Dillingham Airfield. Our goal is to work together as a united front to save this airport.
Dillingham Airfield, Hawaii’s most versatile airport, is under threat of permanent closure. It is a home for glider operations, hang gliding tours, flight training, two world class skydiving centers and the Civil Air Patrol. This unique airport is the only place on the island, in some cases the entire state, that is available for many of these activities. If Dillingham airport were to close, there would no longer be a place for skydiving or glider operations on the entire island of Oahu.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Airports Division currently manages Dillingham Airport and leases the land from the military. In February 2020, the DOT gave notice that it would be terminating it’s lease with the military effective June 30, 2020. In April 2021 the DOT granted an extension on the lease termination to the date SDA has been requesting in all formal letters to June 30th 2021. This gives us more time to work on a long term solution, which is cause to celebrate, but the DOT does still intend to turn the airfield over to the military. This action would evict all private and commercial tenants closing the airfield for civil use.
The Airfield is a valuable community resource; offering access to general aviation education and aviation career opportunities. It is a draw for tourism; bringing tens of thousands of visitors from around the world to the North Shore each year. One of the only major sources of employment on the north shore; more than 130 people work at businesses on site. A valuable public space, offering access to hiking trails, biking, and a walking area off the highway.
Links to some of the press about the Airfield closure:
2/6/20 - Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) First Release:
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/airports/hdota-to-transfer-dillingham-airfield-back-to-the-u-s-army
2/11/20 - DOT Follow up release:
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/airports/hdot-u-s-army-and-faa-continue-dillingham-airfield-transition-to-military-management
2/7/20 - Tenants await formal notice after DOT triggered Dillingham Airfield pull-out last year
https://www.khon2.com/news/always-investigating/tenants-await-formal-notice-after-dot-triggered-dillingham-airfield-pull-out-last-year/
2/11/20 - North Shore residents, representatives express displeasure with DOT Dillingham decision
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/north-shore-residents-representatives-express-displeasure-with-dot-dillingham-decision/
2/13/2020 - Descendants of former Dillingham Airfield landholders seek voice on closure
https://www.khon2.com/news/always-investigating/descendants-of-former-dillingham-airfield-landholders-seek-voice-on-closure/
3/9/20 - Aviation groups want Dillingham Airfield to keep flying as businesses face an uncertain future
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/03/09/hawaii-news/aviation-groups-want-dillingham-airfield-to-keep-flying-as-businesses-face-an-uncertain-future/
3/11/20 - Aviation groups lobby to maintain Hawaii commercial airfield
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/03/11/aviation-groups-lobby-maintain-hawaii-commercial-airfield/
4/15/20 - HDOT POSTPONES ACTION AT DILLINGHAM AIRFIELD DUE TO COVID-19
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/04/15/hdot-postpones-action-at-dillingham-airfield-due-to-covid-19/
4/15/20 - Dillingham Airfield tenants set to stay for now due to COVID-19 impacts
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/04/15/hawaii-news/dillingham-airfield-tenants-set-to-stay-for-now-due-to-covid-19-impacts/
Please join the fight to save this incredible airport!
SKYDIVERS : With a breathtaking shoreline, crystal clear ocean and a dramatic mountain range, it is arguably the most beautiful place to skydive in the entire world. Between the two dropzones, we employ over 100 people in the skydiving industry. Additionally, we are the only place in the entire state that operates caravans for jump aircraft. If you have jumped here or have ever dreamed of jumping here in Hawaii, please help us save our airport and contribute to the cause.
PILOTS: This is one of the few remaining airports in Hawaii that is open to general aviation. The breathtaking scenery and the proximity to Oahu’s northern shoreline makes it one of the most memorable airports in the United States. In order to protect our general aviation, we must protect our small airports. If you have ever flown here in Hawaii or have ever dreamed of flying here, please help us preserve our airstrip. Please join the fight to save this incredible airport! Let’s Save Kawaihapai Airfield.