Maui's World War II Legacy-- Part 3

From the National Marine Sanctuaries site. Continued from Oct. 30-31.

Between June 5-18, 2011, the NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage Program and the University of Hawaii's Marine Option program conducted a survey of sunken World War II-era aircraft and shipwrecks along Maui's southern coast.

Combat training impacted this area during World War II, especially coming in the months before major combined operations. Marine, Army and Navy personnel trained here from Ma alaea Harbor to Ahihi Bay.

Among items found: aircraft from the Marine Pu unene NAS; previously undocumented unidentified sailing vessel shipwrecks used in training; several carrier-based aircraft and three tracked amphibious vehicles.

Training could be dangerous as the numerous planes and assault vehicles attested. Lives were lost.

--GreGen