Pearl Harbor Ford field solar energy plan

[crumdo]

Interesting read on U.S. Navy plans for their energy needs. I realize we can't preserve it all, but how and where do we choose?

DC

http://punynari.wordpress.com/2012/09/1 ... nd-runway/

[Warbird Kid]

Some how I don't think covering the runway with solar panels would be the best possible solution to this. Wouldn't them just on the roofs be enough?

If anything, I'd like to know why Ford Island couldn't be used either as a municipal airport or at least for vintage aircraft only. Either some aircraft from the P.A.M. or private owners. I believe there area few (Stearman, T6) flying in Hawaii right? Seems like the perfect place to takeoff from for a ride around the harbor no?

[Cherrybomber13]

Ford Island is part of an active military Base. When I drove over the bridge (Private PAM tour from a friend) the check point seemed pretty darn active.

I think that covering the runways with solar while interesting is a bad idea. This is a historical site. Once you cover it, it's done. It will never be an airport again. I know PAM is against it pretty hard.

http://www.change.org/petitions/us-navy-naval-facilities-jbphh-pearl-harbor-hawaii-move-navy-s-photo-voltaic-array-don-t-cover-historic-ford-island-runway?share_id=JyXuxjRigb&utm_campaign=petition_creator_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition


This was the email I got from Ken DeHoff the Executive Director of the Pacific Aviation Museum.

Aloha,

Pacific Aviation Museum needs YOUR Help. The Navy is proposing significant changes to Ford Island.
While we hope to resolve this with all working together, we need to stop the Navy from covering Luke Field on Ford Island with 60,000 black glass Photovoltaic panels.

Despite our objections since Honolulu Star Advertiser's article April 24, 2012,
the Navy states they are determined to proceed with the photo voltaic panel array project on the Ford Island runway - Luke Field.

Pacific Aviation Museum provided our position paper (attached) and a rendering prepared by the Navy. We are in total support of a solar energy project, but that Ford Island is simply the wrong place. While discussions continue about other options including the pro's and con's of other Pearl Harbor area sites, they wouldn't budge.

Our Board of Directors voted unanimously to reject the project and communicate yet again to the Navy that, while we support solar power, the project should be located elsewhere.

We need YOUR help to change the Navy's mind.

This is truly historic land - the ONLY aviation battlefield in America.

Please send me a letter / email asking the Navy to find a better place to stage this project.
Please pass this request on to organizations you may be members of that can help marshall support to stop this project.
Please write your own state US Senator / Congressperson asking for their support.

Mahalo,
Ken

[sandiego89]

Some how I don't think covering the runway with solar panels would be the best possible solution to this. Wouldn't them just on the roofs be enough?

If anything, I'd like to know why Ford Island couldn't be used either as a municipal airport or at least for vintage aircraft only. Either some aircraft from the P.A.M. or private owners. I believe there area few (Stearman, T6) flying in Hawaii right? Seems like the perfect place to takeoff from for a ride around the harbor no?

While it would be "neat" it is not a good idea. As Cherrybomber states this is an active military base and tourist flights would be a secuirty nightmare. The Ford Island strip has been closed for over 15 years and is a crumbled mess and DoD would/should not pay to upgrade and run a munciple airport when there are other fields to support the tourist flights such as Kalaeloa (the ex-Barbers Point) that are way under capacity.

[billtate]

I think this plan is very short sighted and shows how callous the Navy Department can be. Let me ask you all this question, would “THEY” cover the Gettysburg National Military Park with 60,000 black photovoltaic panels and surround this historic space with a 7 foot high fence? Or better yet would they cover the September 11 Ground Zero Memorial area with 60,000 black photovoltaic panels and surround it with a 7 foot fence? Well the answer is no. There would be such an uproar that we would never hear the end of it. Every Navy man should write their Congress person and state his objection to this idea.
Of course I realize that Ford Island is not a National Military Park like Gettysburg, but it should be. Also, Ford Island is just as significant to American history as Ground Zero in New York.

[Warbird Kid]

Of course I realize that Ford Island is not a National Military Park like Gettysburg, but it should be. Also, Ford Island is just as significant to American history as Ground Zero in New York.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.