Makapuu Point Light No. 02

The Makapuu Point Light, or Makapuu Lighthouse, peeks out from the vegetation and mountain ridges on the rugged coast of Oahu near Honolulu,... more

by James Aiken

Title

Makapuu Point Light No. 02

Artist

James Aiken

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Makapuu Point Light, or Makapuu Lighthouse, peeks out from the vegetation and mountain ridges on the rugged coast of Oahu near Honolulu, HI.

Makapu'u Point is the southeastern most point of Oahu (in the Makapuʻu region) and the landfall for all traffic from the American west coast to Honolulu. With the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii, which began definite steps towards annexation, shipping interests began to clamor for a lighthouse at the point, beginning with an 1888 petition. In 1890 Lorrin A. Thurston, minister of the interior for the kingdom, directed that inquiries be made with a British firm for a lens and other equipment. The light remained stuck in the planning stage, however, until after annexation, and indeed until 1906, when the United States House of Representatives passed a bill with an appropriation for construction.

Originally, the light was provided with a three-mantle oil vapor lamp. To start the lamp, a supplementary alcohol burner was required, and this was the source of a tragedy in 1925. The first and second assistant keepers were changing watches in the wee hours of April 25 when the former suggested to the latter that the alcohol reservoir be filled. This was accomplished, but some of the alcohol spilled. The first assistant lit a match, triggering an explosion. The second assistant was standing in the doorway and escaped serious injury, but the first assistant, Alexander Toomey, was badly burned and died the next day. His pregnant wife gave birth to a daughter shortly thereafter, and three months later she, too, died.

Two years later the lighthouse was equipped with a radio beacon, the first in Hawaii. As this required a generating station, the lamp was changed from oil vapor to a 500W incandescent bulb. The light was automated in 1974, the radiobeacon having been discontinued the previous year. Shortly thereafter the lighthouse keeper's quarters were used to house witnesses in the federal tax evasion case of Wilford "Nappy" Pulawa. (Information obtained from Wikipedia.org)

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All photography in this gallery is the original work of James Aiken. All rights reserved. It is for sale, copyrighted to James Aiken, and as such, is protected by all US, and international copyright laws.

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The watermark visible in the lower right hand corner of the image will NOT print on any purchased artwork.

Uploaded

February 25th, 2020