Whatever
Happened...

An update on past news

Wednesday, October 6, 1999

Racing pigeons take wing
across Hawaii’s skies

Question: What ever happened to the sport of pigeon racing in Hawaii?

Answer: It's still going on.

At last report more than 200 lofts with about 4,000 birds were actively competing. Pigeon racing began in Hawaii before World War II.

Pigeons are clocked as they enter their respective home lofts according to flying time from a release point. The distance from the release point and the flying time determine the rate of speed.

One year, a racing pigeon owned by James Taga of Palolo winged homeward from Molokai in less than one hour to win a meet. The bird averaged nearly a mile a minute during the 50-mile flight.

Most racing pigeons are raised from breeding stock. In some instances, an owner has been known to pay as much as $1,000 for a good bird.

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