Hawaiian Horizons

"A long open-water leap from Kalaeloa across the Kauai Channel to Port Allen. The trade winds funnel between the islands here — watch the drift and keep a sharp lookout for traffic on this busy inter-island hop."

"A short coastal hop along Kauai's sun-baked southwest shore from Port Allen to Barking Sands — you're greeted by the longest runway in Hawaii at the Pacific Missile Range Facility."

"Thread up Kauai's west coast from Barking Sands to Lihue, weaving between the Na Pali cliffs and the open sea. The sugar fields and Wailua Falls drift past off your wingtip."

"Depart Lihue bound for Wheeler Army Airfield on Oahu — a long crossing of the Kaulakahi Channel with nothing but ocean for company. Pick a cruise altitude that gives you glide range to the coast if the engine hiccups."

"A short Oahu crossing from Wheeler over to Kaneohe Bay MCAS, threading the saddle between the Waianae and Koolau ranges. Mind the strip tucked at the foot of the cliffs."

"Cross the Kaiwi Channel from Kaneohe to Molokai. The trade-wind funnel can make this a bumpy ride; Hoolehua's 4,500 ft strip on the high central plateau is your welcome mat."

"A deceptively short hop down to Kalaupapa peninsula — but the 2,715 ft strip sits on a narrow shelf between 3,000 ft sea cliffs and the ocean. Steep, tight, little go-around room. Fly it like you mean it."

"Out of Kalaupapa across the Pailolo Channel to Kapalua on west Maui. The channel is short but windswept; line up on the west-Maui slopes on descent and keep the wind on the nose."

"A short channel crossing from Kapalua over to Lanai. Look down for whale spouts in season and aim for the quiet upcountry strip at Lanai City."

"Drop down from Lanai's plateau back across the Auau Channel to Kahului — Maui's busy gateway. The 10,000 ft bulk of Haleakala looms off your right wing as you turn final."

"Kahului to Hana, threading up the lush windward side of east Maui beneath Haleakala's eastern flank. Low ceilings and sudden squalls can hide the tight Hana strip until the last moment."

"The big leap: Hana out across the Alenuihahi Channel to Upolu on the Big Island's north tip. A long stretch of open water with the trades on your nose — pick a safe altitude and guard the crossing."

"Follow the Big Island's windward Kohala coast from Upolu down to Kona International. The lava fields are stark below; watch your position against the shoreline as Keahole's heat shimmer comes into view."

"Over the saddle: Kona to Hilo crosses the Big Island between the twin 13,000 ft massifs of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Beware afternoon cloud build-ups and keep VFR clear of the rising volcanic terrain."

"Closing leg: Hilo around the Big Island's northern tip to Waimea-Kohala. The lush Hamakua coast slides by on your left, then turn west across the Kohala saddle to the small upcountry strip at the end of the road."