Thoughts and Opinions on Ford Island

[Wildchild]

Ok, so this may be old news, put they are planning on covering the former airfeild with Sun Panels.

Do you think this is a good idea, considering the location?

If this doesn't go through, what are the chances of it re-opening it as a civialian airfeild, with an acess road surrounding the runway?

Last edited by Wildchild on Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[The Inspector]

They might as well, communities have gotten very good at keeping closed military fields from becoming civil fields, MCAS El Toro is a prime example L.A and Southern Orange Co. could use another commercial airport as LAX, BUR, Wayne are all getting pretty crowded but, no-they want yet another park.

[Wildchild]

They might as well, communities have gotten very good at keeping closed military fields from becoming civil fields, MCAS El Toro is a prime example L.A and Southern Orange Co. could use another commercial airport as LAX, BUR, Wayne are all getting pretty crowded but, no-they want yet another park.

But they were not involved in a History changing battle.

I don't understand why they dont change those bases into motorsports parks... Drag racing, Circut racing, RC plane and car racing/driving/flying... But no. A useless park.

[Kyleb]

The issue comes back to the fact that every scrap of land in the world is/was critically important or historic to someone at some time, and how much of that world do we want to demark as "Historic site, do not mess with."?

I don't have the answer.

[The Inspector]

They might as well, communities have gotten very good at keeping closed military fields from becoming civil fields, MCAS El Toro is a prime example L.A and Southern Orange Co. could use another commercial airport as LAX, BUR, Wayne are all getting pretty crowded but, no-they want yet another park.

But they were not involved in a History changing battle.

I don't understand why they dont change those bases into motorsports parks... Drag racing, Circut racing, RC plane and car racing/driving/flying... But no. A useless park.

"Because they're 'too noisy'" is the usual answer you get from the NIMBYS. There's a pitched battle and lawsuits flying around here over the FAA saying they see no problems with using a big and active airport as a commercial airport (KPAE) but not the neighbors. A guy locally wanted to build a Moto Track out about two blocks past the sticks East of Everett but someone thought he might be able to hear a dirt bike and about shoved out a head gasket and got it stopped.
I can see using the sun to make electricity in Hawai'i where, like in Alaska everything brought to the Island comes 'by the pound' including oil to spin generation turbines.

[Wildchild]

Yes, except, on Ford Island??

Not to mention, there's no neighbors on Ford Island..

[The Inspector]

Yes, except, on Ford Island??

Not to mention, there's no neighbors on Ford Island..

It sits in a bowl surrounded by Honolulu and a lot of big money that doesn't want to hear airplane noise-

[andyman64]

you meen to tell me they don,t take advantage of the geothermic activitey in the area to make electricity there like iceland? what a waste of natural resources!!!

[Flying Pencil]

Yes, except, on Ford Island??

Not to mention, there's no neighbors on Ford Island..

It sits in a bowl surrounded by Honolulu and a lot of big money that doesn't want to hear airplane noise-

No, no noise issue. Ford island is too far from residential, and it's 3500ft, too small for jet.

The proximity to KHNL / Hickam I think is major issue.

IMHO, Hawaii has dismal support of GA.

[Flying Pencil]

Ok, so this may be old news, put they are planning on covering the former airfeild with Sun Panels.

Do you think this is a good idea, considering the location?

If this doesn't go through, what are the chances of it re-opening it as a civialian airfeild, with an acess road surrounding the runway?

As in photo voltaic solar panels?

Some of it is OK, but the entire island, so much for history.

[Wildchild]

Ok, so this may be old news, put they are planning on covering the former airfeild with Sun Panels.

Do you think this is a good idea, considering the location?

If this doesn't go through, what are the chances of it re-opening it as a civialian airfeild, with an acess road surrounding the runway?

As in photo voltaic solar panels?

Some of it is OK, but the entire island, so much for history.

Yes. They are planning on covering the whole runway and an adjicent runway.

When I ment civialian runway, I ment Cessna's, Warbirds, Helicopters, ect. No Jumbo Jets

[bdk]

Why not put in a shopping mall or an Uber-golf course? Those generate the most revenue. Or you could build a golf course on top of the mall! All the politicians really want is money to spend after all. A small token plaque describing the battle should be plenty.

[Wildchild]

Why not put in a shopping mall or an Uber-golf course? Those generate the most revenue. Or you could build a golf course on top of the mall! All the politicians really want is money to spend after all. A small token plaque describing the battle should be plenty.

[wendovertom]

Just so I am not way out on this - we are talking about Ford Island at Pearl Harbor right?

I cannot see them ever doing a GA airport there - it is in the middle of Pearl Harbor - still an active Navy base. When I was there a year ago they were towing in some giant floating radar platform for repair from somewhere in the middle of the Pacific. We had to get a special request in and an escort to cross the island and go see the USS Utah memorial. I cannot ever see the Navy supporting a public airport in the middle of thier base.

The USS Missouri and Pacific Aviation Museum are there and you need to purchase a ticket and then take a bus to get there - you cannot just drive over the bridge without a resident pass or current military ID (as I am told). The Pacific Aviation museum is doing a great job (IMHO) and they are saving the original control tower from falling over - I hope to go back and get to go inside someday! The whole island was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964 as well.

Solar panels? hummm. . . . I know that the cost of power generation is a huge issue in Hawaii - seems like every third TV ad was a PSA to remind people to shut off lights and electrical devices if they are not using them. Seems like almost 90% of the electricity is generated via fossil fuel fired power plants. I agree with some of the field being used but the whole thing seems a bit too much.

My .02

Tom P.

[Wildchild]

Yes, the Ford Island in Pearl Harbor.

I don't see why not though... Plenty of hangars, a nice big airfeild... It was even used as a military flying club feild for awhile.