Hawaiian Hang Gliding Association

The Hawaiian Hang Gliding Association (HHA) is a not-for-profit association of hang glider pilots, organized to promote the safe instruction and practice of hang gliding, as well as to develop and preserve flying sites. 

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Membership:

Club membership and membership in the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association are required to fly at sites administered by the HHA. Membership fees are currently $20 a year for local and visiting pilots. Membership Application can be found here. A signed liability release is also required. A PDF file containing both documents can be downloaded here.

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Flying Sites:

Oahu:

Makapu'u:

Makapu'u is a premier ridge soaring site located on the east end of the island. Due to launch conditions and other considerations the launch at Makapu'u is restricted to Hang Gliders only. A minimum Hang IV rating is required as is an AWCL skill signoff. Access to launch is through two locked gates. Visiting pilots must be accompanied by a local pilot. The site guide and risk management assessment is available here.

Launch (The Box)

Landing Area

While there are other potential hang gliding sites on Oahu, Makapu'u is the only site to which the landowner currently grants access. The site has been in continuous use since the early 1970s purely because of the generosity of the landowner and no violation of the terms of this relationship will be tolerated. The site regulations are expected to be adhered to. Awareness of the risk management policies is also a must.

Maui:

Haleakala:

Haleakala is a 10,000 foot volcano which occupies the entire eastern portion of Maui. The summit of the mountain lies within Haleakala National Park and flying is prohibited. The western slopes of the mountain, the region called Kula, is protected from the prevailing tradewinds and often produces very nice thermal soaring opportunities. The entire area is under private ownership by homeowners, ranchers and farmers.

Haleakala Ranch (6K):

THIS SITE IS CLOSED

The HHA formerly had a license to use a launch known as 6K and a large pasture for a landing area, both on ranch property. In 2017 a pilot violated the rules set forth by the ranch resulting in revocation of the license. Ranchland extends all the way to the National Park boundaries. Launching from anywhere along the road to the summit is considered by the ranch to be trespassing as is landing on any of the pastures at lower levels. The ranch has been known to take legal action. We hope to someday regain access to the site but continued disregard for the landowner's rights will make that impossible. As anywhere else, please respect private property, even though it may not look like it, it is.

PoliPoli:

This is a privately managed paragliding and hang gliding site which offers paragliding instruction.

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Hang Gliding Instruction:

There are currently no hang gliding schools in operation on Oahu or any of the other islands. Paragliding instruction can be found through the Hawaii Paragliding Association.

HHA Board of Directors

Dave Goto
Sam Nottage
John Russell

Mailing Address

Hawaiian Hang Gliding Association
45-015 Likeke Place
Kaneohe, HI 96744

Contacts

Oahu:
Dave Goto (808)479-0467

Maui:
Dave Neto (808)575-9775