Glider Ride Above Mokuleia

This Series Glider Ride Above Mokuleia

Okay, so we booked it down Mt. Ka'ala and down to Dillingham Airfield with just enough time to get the last glider ride. I've been up many times but this was Liz's first time in a glider. Mokuleia and Mt. Ka'ala are the stars of an exceptional view, and looking north Haleiwa and the North Shore are visible.

That Place They Filmed Lost

In the photo of Dillingham Airlfield on the right is the beach where they filmed the first scenes of Lost. Just over a sandy berm is Farrington highway and the civilian airfield nearby so it’s remarkable they were able to maintain the aura of a remote island.

The Crystal Canyon hike is also just a half mile down the road towards Kaena Point.

Looking over Mokuleia

Mokuleia is where I spent much of my life and it's always nice to see it from the air, even encapsulated by the glider's cockpit bubble. It’s much more fun to skydive over Mokuleia! In the photo above you can see the Mokuleia Polo Field, Crowbar Ranch and the Reservoir. My house is on the beach close to the center of the photo. Dillingham airfiled is about a block down the road towards Kaena Point.

Peacock Flats and Mt. Ka’ala

Riding Thermals

Once we dropped the towplane's line we rode thermals for awhile and soaked up the view. The glider ride is very silent, similar to a balloon ride, except that the landing is usually smoother, even with a glider's single central wheel. As we drifted out towards Kaena Point we could see over the hump of Mt. Ka'ala most westerly ridgeline and down to the other side. In the distance is the Makua Military Reserve, Makaha and Waianae.