I'm a bit surprised that the Lahaina Restoration Foundation has little to no information about the flagpole that toppled (The Maui News, Feb. 27).
According to the National Geodetic Survey datasheet on this landmark (under PID # TU3104, designated officially as Lahaina Courthouse: www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=TU3104), as early as 1912, the Hawaii Geodetic Survey noted the mast as a benchmark for surveying and geodetic use. There also should be a U.S. Geological Survey benchmark disc at the base of the mast as well.
So, at best, the structure has been in existence for at least 100 years.
Hopefully the replacement doesn't destroy the geodetic integrity of the site, as it appears to be a long forgotten yet important geodetic benchmark.
Kela Kitkowski
Makawao
