Princeville Moʻolelo: “Lightning Lights: The Need for Speed”

Princeville Moʻolelo Free Lecture Series

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5pm, Princeville Community Center

“Lightning Lights: The Need for Speed” with James Woodward, Lighthouse Consultant

The Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges Princeville Moʻolelo free lecture series will continue on Tuesday, April 21st as we take a look back in time at the history of our beloved beacon, with a talk from the consultant leading the current storm restoration work on the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse.

James “Woody” Woodward will discuss the evolution of the mercury float lighthouse lens. But first he will introduce us to the overall history of mercury: where does it come from, early uses of it, later and modern uses, as well. It is still with us. In 1825, Augustine Fresnel wrote in his engineering notes that the best way to rotate his device was to “float it” in a bowl of mercury. Unfortunately, he didn’t live long enough to see his idea turn into a reality. It would take another 65 years before the world would see his idea become a reality…and what a reality it was. Suddenly, a one-or-three-thousand-pound lighthouse lens could be rotated at 8-10 revolutions every minute instead of the one revolution every 8-10 minutes, which was the old standard for mechanical systems.

Woody will discuss the evolution of why this was such an important development and how it affected the world of lighthouse lenses. Unfortunately, in life, there is always a balance sheet to look at and consider the good and the bad. Although one need was well satisfied by the mercury float system, there were downsides that ultimately spelled their doom, which we will discuss in detail, as well. Please join us!

Free Lecture Series: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:00 to 6:30pm in the Princeville Community Center. The presentation will also be available via Zoom. For more information, visit www.kauairefuges.org/princeville-moolelo.

About the Series: Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges is pleased to partner with the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association Events Committee to present this engaging series. Together, they are presenting free informative “talk story” events monthly in the Princeville Community Center to share the work and stories of conservation partners, Hawaiian cultural practitioners and more.

About Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges: Kīlauea Point Natural History Association, now doing business as “Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges,” serves as a 501(c)(3) non-profit Friends Group that supports the wildlife conservation, education, and historic preservation work of the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Kīlauea Point, Hanalei and Hulēʻia NWRs.  With donations, plus proceeds from Nature Store operations, the organization supports visitor education, provides rehabilitative care for sick or injured native Hawaiian birds, volunteer training, special events, equipment for wildlife habitat maintenance and restoration, free bussing for school field trips to a refuge, awards annual scholarships for college students pursuing environmental studies and more. For additional information, visit www.kauairefuges.org and follow on social media at @fkwrkauai.

CONTACT: Thomas Daubert, 808.828.0384 ext. 1, thomas@kilaueapoint.org