22 Jan Kaanapali Airstrip and Windsock Lounge
Just north of Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas and Kahekili Beach Park, you’ll find a grove of kiawe trees along the shore. From 1962 until 1987, the Kaanapali Airstrip and Terminal occupied this area adjacent to the beach, which was surrounded by cane fields. In fact, the north side of Kaanapali Beach became known as “Airport Beach.” In the early years prop jet air taxis from Honolulu would land at the strip and were able to pull up to the Royal Lahaina Beach Hotel. During its last ten years, the airstrip was closed to general aviation and operated by Royal Hawaiian Air Service whose fleet of Cessna airplanes averaged 60 flights a day in and out of Kaanapali.
Many visitors and residents enjoyed the colorful ambiance of the Windstock Lounge and popular bartender High School Harry’s tales and Bloody Marys, while waiting for a flight in the small prop planes. As the name indicates, the bar was located at the top of the terminal. Patrons had to climb a flight of stairs to enter the lounge, whose interior walls and ceiling were covered with business cards from all over the world.
Source: Kaanapali Historical Trail & History and Legends Tour, Pip Holo Ka’ao (A well told tale travels far and wide)