NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The Charles Lindbergh house was completed in 1970.

Group aims to save aviator
Lindbergh’s house on Maui

The house will be moved to Haleakala Park in Kipahulu

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> A nonprofit group is trying to raise money to save the Maui house of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, as well as a cottage used by his wife for writing, and to move them this year to a site within the Haleakala National Park in Kipahulu.

The Historic Hawaii Foundation plans to use the house "Argonauta" to display the history of Kipahulu and efforts to preserve native wildlife in the region, in keeping with the wishes of Lindbergh's descendants.

Supporters have raised about $100,000 of the $500,000 needed to move and maintain the dwellings, and the new landowner wants them moved within nine months after the close of the sale, expected by the end of this month.

Oahu resident Greg Marshall -- who has been leading a campaign to save the dwellings -- and his wife, Melanie, have purchased the house and cottage with the intent of donating them to the park.

Lindbergh, who made the first nonstop trans-Atlantic solo flight from New York City to Paris in 1927, died in 1974 and was buried in a simple churchyard less than a mile from his home.

Living in Hana with his wife toward the latter part of his life, he used his influence to promote conservation and played a key role in obtaining support for the preservation of some 3,000 acres in Kipahulu.

"He had a lot to do with the park," said park Superintendent Donald Reeser.

Reeser said a plaque would be placed at the house recognizing Lindbergh's contribution, in addition to others who donated money to help in the relocation of the dwellings.

Reeser said federal officials have not decided on the exact location of the house, but the best site appears to be on land between the park campgrounds and visitor center near the Pools of Oheo.

Residents recall Lindbergh enjoyed his solitude and hikes in the wilderness.

"He was friends with the local people. He went hunting and fishing," said Michael Minn, president of the Kipahulu Ohana, a group of residents whose families have lived in the Hana district for generations.

Minn said he has talked with Lindbergh's son Ladd and grandchildren, and they do not want to see the house used for a memorial or display of Charles Lindbergh.

"The family is pretty reclusive," he said.

Minn said the family was in favor of allowing the house to be used for conservation efforts and the Kipahulu Ohana using a portion of it for office space and workshops.

He said he hopes Kipahulu residents who knew the Lindberghs would be employed to explain the history of the region and discuss the famed aviator's effort as a conservationist.

The A-frame house, completed in 1970, included two bedrooms and a bathroom on the second story, and a kitchen, living room and bathroom on the ground floor.

Lawrence Shim, the contractor who built the house, said the A-frame rested on a 2- to 3-foot base wall of rock and cement, with stones taken from nearby pastures.

The second story had ohia floors; the ground floor, terra cotta tile.

The house, built by Hana Ranch cowboys, had no air conditioning or television.

A generator was used for electrical power for lighting, and the Lindberghs also used gas-powered appliances, Shim said.

Lindbergh's wife, Anne, was a writer and used the cottage as a place for her work. She died in February 2001.

John Lind, a member of the Kipahulu Ohana, said the plan was to cut the main house in half and move portions of it to the new site.