Kaneohe is located on the Windward side of Oahu about 15 miles North of Honolulu. Towering above are the 4000' Koolau Mountains that divide the island.

In the Nataive language, "Kaneohe" is loosely translated "Bamboo man". This refers to a legendary area inhabitant.

The 1840s found the lands in this area redistributed by King Kamehameha. Local residents were able to retain plots of ground that were personally cultivated. Rice was the major crop, with hundreds of acres under cultivation. Historically Taro, Sweet Potatoe, breadfruit, and bananas were also grown in the area.

The trail over the Pali Pass in the Koolau Mountains was improved to a roadway at the turn of the last century.

In the 1950s, local growers found that foreign and domestic competetion made them abandon rice and plant sweet potatoes and pineapple. This eventually failed too. Today there are local pineapple and other crops in the stores from local gardens and plots. /P>

In 1918 the first military Reservation was built on Makapu Point on Kaneohe Bay. On December 7, 1941, Imperial Japanese Naval Aviators bombed Kaneohe Naval Air Station and it's PBY aircraft. It is now Marine Base Hawaii, home to the 1st Brigades Major Ground Element, the Third Regiment, the Marine's largest infantry regiment.

Long ago there were as many as 20 fishponds created in the waters of Kaneohe Bay to farm fish. Only one or two survive today.

Drivers in the 1960s had two tunnels connecting the Windward and Northshores of Oahu to the Honolulu side of the island. In 1998 a third tunnel, on senic H3 highway, will open. 12 years and millions over budget, but the view may be worth it.

Kaneohe has always been a very desiriable place to live. The warm waters, and beautiful background of the Koolau Mountains make the profusion of colorful flowers, and lush vegetation a true Pacific Paradise.

The geographical area called Kaneohe, has a population that is close to 50,000. It is located in Honolulu County, and all the governmental services are provided by the City of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii.

The Windward Mall is one of the largest on the island, and is only a 5 minute walk from WB6FZH/KH6 QTH at the edge of Kaneohe Bay.

Many of the Windward side's vistas have been featured on TV's Magnum P.I., Hawaii 50, Films and Movies through the years.

The Windward side is home to many points of interest; Hanama Bay, Chinaman's Hat, Byodo-In-Temple, Kailua & Lanikai Beach, Polynesian Cultural Center, Sea Life Park, and the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden. If you visit the beach at Kailua, do not tell anyone but your immediate family, it is one of the island's best kept secrets.

Kaneohe is home to the almost hidden location of the beautiful Ho'omaluhia Botanic Garden(Location of the Koolau Amateur Radio Club Field Day Site). The Bay is a source of fishing, boating and water sports of all kinds. There are several challenging golf courses in the area.

The Tradewinds provide a system of natural ventilation and cool fresh air. The rainfall keeps the lush vegetation green year round. The average rainfall is 65",and the temperature averages 75 degrees.

Kaneohe Bay laps our seawall a few feet away, small fish dart around the supports for our small dock. The clouds are a source of endless imaginary shapes, bringing to mind thoughts new and old. The Bay can be smooth as glass, or full of whitecaps. It is very shallow on the nearby coral reef, and the cement bases that supported tall wood masts for radio antennas are a reminder of days past.

My G5RV wire radio antenna bends gently in the wind as it hangs from a small Coconut Palm tree in our yard. The slender aluminum vertical antenna at the edge of the Bay shines in the warm Hawaiian sun and bright moonlight. They connect my tube or transistor radios with other parts of the world with the magical music of morse code, or with my voice into a 50 year-old microphone. I will be listening for you... 73- Greg