LIHU‘E — The Civil Air Patrol will hold a memorial service today to celebrate the lives of two pilots who were killed in a plane crash in Kalalau Valley.
“Anybody can come up and say a few words,” said Civil Air Patrol Capt. Joseph Quentin. “It’s open to friends, family and other pilots who want to share stories.”
The service is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e. Those unable to attend in person can view the service on Microsoft Teams.
Lt. Col. James Degnan, 76, and Capt. David Parker, 78, were conducting a routine tsumani training mission when their Cessna 172 went down near Kalalau Lookout on the afternoon of March 20.
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash. A preliminary report did not determine the cause of the crash but noted that witnesses had reported the plane flying low in “poor weather conditions.” The plane was about a half-mile off its charted course at the time of the crash, according to Quentin.
Both men are well-known in CAP and in the Kaua‘i community at large as talented pilots and good friends. Both served in Vietnam, and went on to fly commercially before retiring to Kaua‘i. Parker, who lived in Kapa‘a, served in the CAP for three years, while Degnan, who lived in Princeville, served for more than a decade.
Formed during World War II, the CAP is a public service organization of 56,000 that carries out emergency service missions and conducts aerospace education programs. It also carries out missions for various government and private agencies, like local law enforcement and the American Red Cross.
To RSVP for the event, individuals are asked to email CAPKauaiSquadron@gmail.com or call 808-631-3368.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
