Directions to Dillingham
The Hawaiian Astronomical Society holds dark-sky star parties at Dillingham Airfield on Saturdays between the 3rd quarter and new Moon each month. Our star party schedule is available on our home page, and also on the Night Sky Network.
Dillingham Airfield is on Farrington Highway (State Highway #930) in Mokuleia. This is approximately 17 miles west of Wahiawa, down Kamehameha Highway (#99) towards Waialua. Just before the bottom of the hill, look for the Historic Haleiwa Town sign and take a left at the traffic light and enter Weed Circle. Follow it around to the left to Kaukonahua Road (Hwy 930) and then take a right at Thompson’s Corner about a mile later (You can’t go straight). Follow this road for approximately 6.7 miles from Thompson’s Corner. The airfield has three gates and you want the third or last gate. Through this gate, you’ll go by the hangers and back in the direction you came from, paralleling the runway. On the right side of the road, you’ll see a windsock and a short little stop sign. At that intersection, make a right turn and our group will be in the parking area. It’s about a mile from the gate.
Remember this little short stop sign, you’ll need to find it in the dark on your way out.
For security reasons the airfield gates are locked around 6:00 p.m.; you should get there a little earlier to avoid being locked out. Star parties are wonderful family events and we suggest that you bring a plate lunch or pizza for dinner for your family.
Please remember that we are guest at this facility and we ask that you pick up your discards and dispose of them properly. Also, some insect repellent, a jacket and something to sit on could be helpful. Any flashlights must have a heavy layer or red cellophane over the lens as a matter of courtesy to others.
You can stay as long as you wish, enjoy looking thorough all the telescopes and you’ll be able to leave at designated times throughout the evening. If you have a car with headlights that can’t be turned off, we ask that you park close to the entrance of the viewing area with the car facing out so when you leave you can do so without creating a problem. Headlights ruin night vision, not to mention any astrophotography that may be in progress.
As you leave the viewing area, be careful to turn left at that little short stop sign to get on the service road. If you miss it you will wind up on the aircraft taxiway and that’s a No, No. The painted lines on the tarmac are for airplanes, not cars. If the line becomes a “Y,” you have gone too far. STOP! Back-up until you find the service road little short stop sign) and exit there.
Finally, the reason we have to drive so far to see dark skies is the growing light pollution problem. Just think how much nicer the sky would be and how much energy could be saved if everyone, including our government, would shield all outdoor fixtures to direct light down toward the ground. The same amount of illumination could be achieved with less wattage and fewer dollars. Nothing is achieved by shining light into the sky unless you’re looking for bats which are in short supply here in Hawaii.
And please, no alcohol, no smoking (fire danger) and no pets.
Map to Dillingham. Big (233k) map. 25k map of Dillingham, including the location of the site, and where the restrooms are.
