Kilauea Lighthouse: Future Gets Brighter
By Sue Clark on Apr 12, 2009 in News 
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Volunteers Raising Money For Repairs
Not only is Kilauea Point Lighthouse an historic treasure, it is also the main source of revenue for many of the islanders on Kauai, Hawaii. Many businesses rely on the tourist money, and the lighthouse is one of the biggest draws in the area, bringing in thousands of visitors each year. Yet there is no money for its upkeep in the US Fish and Wildlife Budget. But that doesn’t stop the islanders. A campaign to raise $1 million dollars for its upkeep kicked off last week with a ceremony that included a Hawaiian chant praising the light and a relighting of the now dimmed beacon. Sen. Daniel Inouye was in attendance and pledged his help in getting funding for the other million needed.
Earlier this month, there were news reports of Islanders taking over the task of rebuilding a road that had collapsed, for which the state had no money to repair. And it would be at least two years before any funding would be available. The road and bridge was important for business, so residents got together, donated their time and materials, and rebuilt it in eight days. If that kind of can-so spirit is any indication, they’ll have the money raised in no time to fix repair the deteriorating lighthouse. They’ve already raised over half a million.
The Ravages of Time
Kilauea Point was established in 1913, and was the landfall light for ships arriving in Hawaii from the Orient. But many years of salt spray and winds have rusted the railings and corroded bolts and walkways. From the story at KGMB, Beacon for the Generations Co-Chair Gary Smith said, “We’re racing against the ravages of time and mother nature. It’s one of the few lighthouses in the country with the light station still intact with the original parts, including the lens which was bought for $12,000 in 1913 and now has an estimated value upwards of a million dollars. When you climb up the ladder and get in the middle of the clam shell lens it’s about as close to being on the inside of a diamond in your life,” he said.
As close as you’re going to get to be inside of a diamond in your life.That phrase describes best the beauty of the Fresnel. They are like jewels, and perhaps that’s why they fascinate people so much. This particular First Order Clamshell style lens was ordered in 1913 for $12,000 dollars and is now worth around a million. Maybe more, since how do you put a price tag on irreplaceable?
For more on the project, visit www.kilaueapoint.org. And watch the video at the KGMB site. Beautiful shots of a beautiful lighthouse.
Photo Credit: Kilauea Point Lighthouse and the Lighthouse Lens by Thievingjoker. Some rights reserved.
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1 Comment(s)
By Directory of Kauai on Aug 13, 2010 (3 weeks ago) | Reply
The lighthouse is alive and well. Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places on the main Hawaiian islands to view wildlife. The refuge was established for the protection of threatened and endangered species, and is home to the largest populations of nesting seabirds in Hawai‘i. There is a video here…
directoryofkauai.net/blog/kilauea-point-national-wildlife-refuge