NUUANU PALI LOOKOUT, HONOLULU, HAWAII

Landmarks : No. 9

Date Registered: Dec 08 1996

An international soaring record was established here on December 18, 1931. William A. Cocke, Jr. remained aloft in a glider called the Nighthawk for 21 hours 34 minutes, a new U.S. and world endurance record for motorless flight. Cocke’s Nighthawk launched from the John Galt Gliderport, located a short distance northeast of this marker. Illuminating the path for Cocke and his Nighthawk along the cliff face during the night was the U.S. Army’s 64th Coast Artillery Battery. This marker is dedicated to the people of Hawaii who helped make this flight possible, and to the thousands of glider pilots inspired by the feat.

1931 Hawaiian Open Glider Competition

Cover from the 1931 Hawaiian Open Glider Competition. William A. Cocke flew the World Duration Record during this meet.

Campout

Campout in 1931 with the "Nighthawk" sailplane in the background.

Letter from the F.A.I.

Letter from the F.A.I., congratulating Lieutenant William A. Cocke and accepting his duration flight of 21 hours, 34 minutes as a new World Duration Record.

Nighthawk

Launching the "Nighthawk" sailplane.

From Left to Right

Jim Swinnich, at the time Director of the National Soaring Museum; Shirley Sliwa, former Director who helped get the National Landmark of Soaring Program started; and Simine Short, Chair of the Landmark Program.

View

A view from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout along the ridge which Cocke flew for almost a complete day and night.

Wind-jamming

Wind-jamming by participants of the Landmark dedication.

Soaring Plaque

The National Landmark of Soaring Plaque

Dillingham Airfield to Wahiawia by Tim Cislo

Souvenir glider mail was flown from Dillingham Airfield to Wahiawia by Tim Cislo in a Schweizer 2-33 sailplane, with Richard Ama representing the USPS.

Arleen Coleson

Letter from Arleen Coleson, Soaring Society of America, supplying background information on Cocke's record flight in 1931.