Hamakuapoko Radio Beacon Chronology, 1927

Late March

In preparation for a proposed Army transpacific flight, the Signal Corps Aircraft Laboratories was instructed to install radio beacons at San Francisco and Hawaii. The equi-signal beacon system was recently developed by the Air Corps and Signal Corps Aircraft Radio Laboratories at Dayton, Ohio.

May 27

An aerial search for a suitable site on Molokai and Maui (Because they were at the center of the Hawaiian Island chain.) was made. Molokai was ruled out because of the terrain.

May 30

A ground search for a suitable site on Maui was made. A site was found in Hamakuapoko and permission to use the site was obtained from the Maui Agricultural Company.

May 31

The site was surveyed and antenna layed out.

June 8

Cpt. Clayton Shangraw with four enlisted men arrived in Kahului aboard the S.S. Mauna Kea with all the equipment to build the beacon station including the 93 ft. main support pole.

June 21

Installation and test of the beacon was completed.

June 28-29

Flight for which the beacon system was installed took place. The aircraft was a Fokker Type C-2 (tri-motor monoplane nicknamed "Bird of Paradise") with Lt. Albert Hegenberger, navigator-pilot; and Lt. Lester Maitland, pilot on board. The flight was a success with the San Francisco beacon setting the initial course. Although the Hamakuapoko beacon was picked up at mid-course, it could not be followed continuously because of problems with the receiving equipment.

July 14-15

The second flight using the beacon system was a Travel Air 5000 (single motor monoplane nicknamed "City of Oakland") with Ernest Smith, pilot; and Emory Bronte, navigator. The flight ended in a crash landing on Molokai. The initial course was set by the San Francisco beacon but their earphones malfunctioned and prevented full use of the beacon system.

Late July

The Army agreed to a request by the National Aeronautical Association, Honolulu Chapter to keep the beacon system operational during the "Dole Air Derby" scheduled for mid-August.

Aug. 16-17

First prize winner of the "Dole Air Derby" was a Travel Air 5000 ("Woolaroc") with Arthur Goebel, pilot and Lt. William Davis, U.S.N., navigator. The beacon system was heard for the entire flight and was praised for simplifying navigation.

Late August

Beacon was dismantled and shipped to Wheeler Field, Oahu where it was reinstalled.