LIHU‘E — John Ferry, president of Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty, said the Kilauea lighthouse is a major community symbol and historic feature in the state of Hawai‘i that should be preserved for future generations. Ferry presented a check for
LIHU‘E — John Ferry, president of Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty, said the Kilauea lighthouse is a major community symbol and historic feature in the state of Hawai‘i that should be preserved for future generations.
Ferry presented a check for $5,000 to Gary Smith of the Kilauea Point Natural History Association last week, the amount representing the second installment of a $25,000 pledge made by Ferry.
“The community has an opportunity to maintain Kilauea’s character and unique sense of place by assuring the majestic structure (Kilauea lighthouse) remains standing,” Ferry said in a release.
The KPNHA has been working to raise money to restore the lighthouse from the ravages of time and weather, the Coldwell Banker release states.
Requiring immediate attention is corrosion of the cast-iron roof, cracked lantern windows, rusted sill and more. The Kilauea lighthouse is in dire need of repair, the release states.
To help with the restoration and preservation efforts, KPNHA is reaching out to the entire community for help in maintaining and preserving the almost-100-year-old landmark.
Smith contacted Ferry when the campaign started.
“We were inspired by the generosity of John Ferry and the Bali Hai ‘ohana for its support of the restoration of the Kilauea lighthouse,” Smith said. “It helps reconfirm our strong conviction that this is the right thing to do for the community.”
Smith, who found the first albatross chick in 1977, continues to lead tours at Kilauea Point, his goal being to protect the land, the wildlife and the lighthouse.
“No one on this island would like to see this beloved lighthouse become an eyesore rather than remain standing as a significant historic symbol and attraction,” Smith said.
“We were astounded to learn the extent of its damage and (that prompted) our urgent need to make repairs as soon as possible. If our government’s resources cannot provide in this timeframe, we’ll fix it ourselves,” he said.
“We have a responsibility to the coming generation, and this restoration will absolutely be done.”
For more information on how to help, call the KPNHA at 828-0384.
The 97th anniversary of the Kilauea Point Lighthouse Station is being celebrated today, with a rare lighting of the beacon this evening.
The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985 when land and the historic lighthouse were transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lighthouse Day festivities include lighthouse tours, natural-history talks, children’s activities and a commemorative lighting of the lighthouse at sunset.
The lighthouse served as a pivotal navigation aid for ships on the Asia run.
Restoration efforts continue in July with repairs to the cast-iron roof and lantern assembly, and stabilization of the fragile lens.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
