Memorial Wall at Kahului Airport Explains Origin of “OGG”

Photo courtesy Hawaiian Airlines.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-gN4GBjOFs /] By Maui Now Staff

A new display was unveiled at Kahului Airport on Monday, featuring Captain Jimmy Hogg, the Hawaiian Airlines pilot and aviation pioneer for whom the airport is named.

The 8-foot tall, 42-foot wide wall at Gate 19, honors the native of Kauaʻi and shares the story of Hogg’s life and career.

Hawaiian Airlines executives, who joined in the dedication of the display say Hogg is recognized for making the first commercial flight after the attack on Pearl Harbor, coming under ground fire from those mistaking his plane for an enemy aircraft.

In a press release announcement, Hawaiian Airlines notes that Hogg also flew the company’s first trans-Pacific flight in 1958.

The OGG airport code for Kahului was reportedly implemented by the Civil Aeronautics Authority in honor of Hogg in 1957.

The memorial wall dedication to Hogg kicks off a series of events leading up to Hawaiian Airlines’ 85th anniversary celebration on Nov. 11, 2014, the company announcement said.

The company, which is recognized as Hawai’i’s first commercial airline, made its inaugural flight from Honolulu to Hilo 85 years ago, with a stop on Maui, according to company executives.