You can see this expedition’s incredible finds in Honolulu – for now

Kellum’s Kaimiloa Expedition and First Pacific Wireless Signal

In 1924, a rich man named Medford Ross Kellum bought an old lumber ship and gave it new life. He turned the Luzon into the Kaimiloa, a 230-foot yacht with a state-of-the-art lab on board.

The name meant “to search afar” in Hawaiian, which fit its bold mission.

With Bishop Museum backing, Kellum packed the ship with top minds – botanists, historians, and film crews. They set sail from Honolulu in November 1924, first stopping at tiny islands no one had studied.

Along the way, Kellum made history by sending the first clear wireless signal across the vast Pacific Ocean.

The Bishop Museum in Honolulu still holds the treasures they found, waiting for you to discover this forgotten chapter of Pacific exploration.

Millionaire Kellum Bought a Lumber Ship to Chase Pacific Dreams

Medford Ross Kellum, an American millionaire with big ideas, bought the lumber ship Luzon in 1924. The four-masted sailing vessel stretched 230 feet long, perfect for what Kellum had in mind.

He wanted to turn this working boat into something special – a ship that could take scientists to far-off corners of the Pacific Ocean.

This purchase started what would soon become one of the boldest science trips of its time, with Kellum ready to spend big to make it happen.

The Old Cargo Ship Got a Fancy Makeover in Sausalito

Workers at the Sausalito shipyard completely changed the Luzon through months of hard work. Kellum called his new ship “Kaimiloa,” a Hawaiian word meaning “to search afar.”

The ship changed from a simple cargo hauler to a fancy floating research base with comfy rooms for scientists and crew. Workers built custom research areas, making the Kaimiloa unlike any other ship of its time.

Hawaii’s Bishop Museum Joined Forces With the Wealthy Explorer

Kellum teamed up with the well-known Bishop Museum of Hawaii to give his trip scientific backing. The museum saw a chance to study remote Pacific spots that nobody had properly looked at before.

Together, they planned a five-year trip to isolated islands across the vast Pacific. The museum agreed to keep all samples, objects, and research materials collected during the journey.

Top Scientists Packed Their Bags for the Ocean Adventure

The trip drew impressive science talent eager to explore the Pacific. Plant expert Gerrit P. Wilder came to study island plants, while his wife joined to record cultural notes. Kenneth Emory, a young culture expert, came to study native peoples.

Writer-artist Dr. Armstrong Sperry joined to create pictures and stories of their finds.

Dr. Stanley Ball completed the main team, bringing more science skills to the trip.

The Ship Featured a Lab That Would Make Land-Based Scientists Jealous

Kaimiloa had an amazing 50-foot lab that wowed the science community. The space held gear for taking photos in all sorts of settings.

Scientists could record sounds on wax cylinders to save native languages and music. Movie cameras let the team film cultural practices and natural events.

The lab even had darkrooms for developing film right on board, so they didn’t have to wait months for results.

Kellum Sent the First Clear Radio Message Across the Pacific

The radio systems on Kaimiloa broke new ground in surprising ways.

Kellum sent the first clear wireless signal across the entire Pacific Ocean, something never done before across any ocean.

His custom radio gear, stronger than normal ship systems back then, created new ways for ships to stay in touch with land while exploring remote areas.

This breakthrough changed how future trips would talk to the mainland.

Crowds Cheered as the Scientific Ship Left Honolulu Harbor

The Kaimiloa sailed from Honolulu on November 9, 1924, with much excitement and news coverage. Hundreds of people gathered at the harbor to watch the unique four-masted ship begin its historic journey.

The vessel carried enough supplies to keep the team going for months without stopping at major ports. Kellum and his science crew waved to onlookers as they headed toward their first stop.

The Team Explored Islands Few Westerners Had Ever Seen

First, the Kaimiloa reached Fanning Island, where the team did their first field studies. They moved on to Christmas Island, gathering samples and noting the unique wildlife.

The trip continued through other remote Line Islands, many barely visited by scientists before. The team worked long hours collecting samples, taking photos, and writing about these isolated Pacific places.

Ancient Artifacts and Cultural Treasures Filled the Ship’s Storage

As they visited various islands, the team collected valuable old items that showed centuries of Polynesian history. They carefully wrote down cultural practices that hadn’t changed for generations.

The culture experts recorded traditional songs, stories, and language samples from islanders willing to share.

These materials filled special storage areas on the Kaimiloa, creating a floating museum of Pacific cultural heritage.

New Year’s Day 1925 Found the Explorers Pulling into Tahiti

The Kaimiloa reached Tahiti on January 1, 1925, marking a successful end to the trip’s first major part. Local Tahitians greeted the unusual research vessel with curiosity and friendliness.

The team celebrated their arrival with mixed relief and excitement about the next part of their work.

They got more supplies while Kellum sent reports of their findings back to Hawaii and the mainland using his groundbreaking wireless system.

Scientists Split Up to Cover More Ground Across Polynesia

After reaching Tahiti, the scientific team members headed in different directions to maximize their research impact. Some traveled to various Society Islands to study specific cultural practices or biological specimens.

Others ventured to the Tuamotu Archipelago to document the unique coral atoll environments.

Their specialized research significantly expanded scientific understanding of Pacific ecosystems and indigenous cultures.

The collected materials eventually made their way to Bishop Museum, creating one of the most comprehensive Pacific collections of the era.

Visiting Bishop Museum, Honolulu

The Bishop Museum at 1525 Bernice Street showcases the history behind Medford Ross Kellum’s Kaimiloa Scientific Expedition, which created the most advanced floating laboratory of its time.

You can explore Pacific Hall to see outrigger canoes and navigation tools from this groundbreaking Pacific exploration. Daily guided tours of Hawaiian Hall provide context for the expedition’s impact.

Check out the “Wayfinders” planetarium show about traditional Polynesian navigation. Open daily 9am-5pm, admission is $26.95 weekdays, $28. 95 weekends.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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