Location
Kamakaiwi Airfield is located on Howland Island.

Construction
Construction was initiated with WPA funds were used by the Bureau of Air Commerce to construct three unpaved runways in the middle 1930s, at a cost of of the $12,000. On July 2, 1937 Amelia Earhart took off from Lae Airfield bound for Kamakaiwi Airfield, but never reached it destination.

Naming
Named "Kamakaiwi Field" after James Kamakaiwi, one of the first colonists on Howland. Also known as Kamakaiwi Field or WPA Howland Airport. Known as Howland Naval Air Station from September 1943 - May 1944.

Wartime History
Attcked by Japanese bombers on December 8, 1941 and bombarded by I-22 submarine on December 10, 1941. A single Japanese bomber attacked the island twice more, bombing the Itascatown area.

Japanese missions against Howland
December 8 - ?, 1941

Today
No airplane is ever known to have landed at this airfield, and it has all but disappeared today.

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Last Updated
July 19, 2024