Air show returns to Hawaii after seven years

The last time an air show took place in Hawaii was way back in 2015, so it was no surprise that folks were willing to brave the heat and crazy traffic to see the Blue Angels as they headlined the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show.

More than 100,000 people came to the show, which was held at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on the island of Oahu.

Pre-show festivities started with a skydiving demo from a local team, the “Flying Leathernecks,” delivering US and Hawaii flags to show center.

The Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demo Team then took the stage for a loud vapor-filled performance.

A Marine demo of the MV-22 Osprey was next, showcasing the capabilities of this versatile aircraft.

Next was a Hawaii ANG C-17 Globemaster III, based out of Hickam Air Force Base, executing an impressive tactical takeoff as part of their flight demo.

A Hawaii-based F-22 Raptor then took to the skies, putting on a great show that highlighted the improbable maneuvering abilities of this stealthy aircraft

A crowd favorite was seeing the F-22 execute a Cobra maneuver, standing the aircraft on its tail while still moving forward.

A race between a 1978 Corvette (AKA “Ramp Rat”) and a Cessna 172 preceded a Coast Guard rescue demo comprised of a HC-130 Hercules and a MH-65 Dolphin from Barbers Point.

The Marine Corps followed with a demonstration of how to secure a hostile area using a pair of MV-22 Ospreys to rapidly insert their ground teams. The F-16 and F-22 were aloft to provide air cover, punctuated with pyro charges detonated during their strafing runs.

This set the stage for the final act as a huge “wall of fire” was set off to conclude the assault demo.

The Blue Angels’ support aircraft, Fat Albert, performed its always-popular demonstration of the C-130’s short takeoff and landing capabilities.

The Blue Angels then put on a great show, wielding their new F/A-18 Super Hornets with skill and precision with the nearby mountains providing a tropical backdrop for the maneuvers. This was only the Blue Angels’ seventh appearance in Hawaii in the last 40 years.

Unusual for an American airshow, classic warbirds were a rarity at this event. Not listed on the schedule, a locally owned T-6 Texan took to the air for some brief exhibition fly-bys. This may have been to fill some of the gaps due to some missing civilian acts.

Unfortunately none of the advertised civilian performers like Jon Melby, Brad Wursten, and the Red Bull Air Force were present due to a cancellation by the Air Force regarding transport of the performers and their aircraft from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii via C-5 Galaxy.

A lot of military aircraft have been retired/replaced/reallocated since the last air show here in 2015, giving the event a different feel. Gone were the thundering CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters, now moved to San Diego. Adios to the graceful P-3 Orion, retired in 2017. No more Hueys and Vipers flitting about during the assault demos.

Civilian aircraft actually outnumbered the military ones displayed on the tarmac. There was a 1929 Bellanca, a Vashon Ranger R7, an electric U-15 Phoenix, and an RV-12, along with quite a few civilian helicopters.

VIP tents have become a reliable revenue source at air shows and the Kaneohe show was no different. The large tent had a capacity of 1,200 and they had a near sellout crowd from the looks of it. Prime rib as airshow food was a welcomed new experience for me.

All in all, the U.S. Marine Corps did a good job putting on this show. Interviews on the local news showed that despite the traffic frustrations, locals still considered the show worthwhile and fun.

Hopefully it won’t be another seven years before the next air show in Hawaii, but the enthusiasm of the crowd left no doubt that they will be there.