Every Sunday, “Back in the Day” looks at an article that ran on this date in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The items are verbatim, so don’t blame us today for yesteryear’s bad grammar.
Gov. George R. Ariyoshi said last night he and the state Department of Transportation will make a major effort to get the federal government to open Barbers Point to general aviation.
"I just want you to know that I’m for Barbers Point first, I’m for Barbers Point second, I’m for Barbers Point third," Ariyoshi said.
His remarks were at a hearing of the House Committee on Energy and Transportation which met at Mililani High School cafeteria.
About 50 persons attended to hear testimony on a bill introduced by Rep. Benjamin J. Cayetano, committee chairman, to establish a general aviation airport at Dillingham Airfield at Mokuleia.
Opening the hearing, Cayetano said site selection for a second general aviation airport on Oahu, to relieve pressure on Honolulu Airport, has been controversial for some time and that he hopes the question can be resolved within the year.
Cayetano’s committee last year supported the move to open Barbers Point Naval Air Station to the public for civilian general aviation and at that time the state administration favored development of a new general aviation airport at Kunia.
But the administration has stopped pushing the Kunia idea and now advocates Barbers Point.
Ariyoshi said he received assurances from Department of Defense officials during a recent Washington visit that they would take another look at state proposals for civilian use of Barbers Point.
He stressed the need to separate the light aircraft of general aviation from the larger commercial aircraft at Honolulu Airport for safety reasons.
Although opening Barbers Point to civilian aircraft will be an uphill fight, he said he is pleased that defense officials are willing to consider state proposals on security and the level of air traffic.
Mililani homeowners and other central Oahu residents oppose a general aviation airport in Kunia or a nearby location. Last night, they applauded every time there was an indication Kunia no longer is under serious consideration.
