Longtime friend of GRIH John Carroll has a tantalizing offer for would-be donors: Donate $500 or more to the Grassroot Institute during the month of January, and Mr. Carroll will throw in a free glider ride for two!

"I've been a supporter since the beginning,” says Carroll. "I was invited to an event by [GRIH founder] Dick Rowland. One thing I noticed was how the Institute provided an open forum for thoughtful people to discuss different positions in a non-partisan setting. And the speakers are always excellent.”

Mr. Carroll wanted to do more to help GRIH, and came up with the idea of offering free glider rides. He is an experienced glider pilot, as well as a former Air Force fighter pilot. He also served as a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines for thirty years. Currently, he flies gliders for The Original Glider Rides on Oahu's North Shore. "I can take friends for rides on weekends, and I thought offering donors free rides would be a good way to help the Grassroot Institute.”

The Original Glider Ride is located at Dillingham Field, a short drive from historic Haleiwa Town on Oahu's North Shore. For those who have never been in a glider (also known as a sailplane), a flight in one is a truly memorable experience.

Takeoff is quick. Once in the air, one is struck by just how different a glider flight is from a flight in a similarly sized motorized plane. It is surprisingly quiet; driving on the freeway with your windows down is louder. You can converse with the pilot without having to shout. Nor is there the stuffiness of a tight cockpit, as interior vents allow outside air to blow in like natural air conditioning. With no engine roar to distract, it is easier to get lost in the actual flight itself. Swooping through the skies above Mokuleia, it is possible to see the North Shore in a whole new way, even if you've lived here all your life.

This is a particularly good time to take Mr. Carroll up on his offer. From now until spring it's whale watching season. The waters off Kaena Point become playgrounds for humpback whales. Generally speaking, commercial aircraft cannot fly over the whales, due to the high noise levels. The same is not true of gliders, which have permission to sail directly overhead of the humpbacks, offering a unique view of these impressive animals.

If you are interested in helping out GRIH and having an unforgettable aerial experience, simply make your donation via our Google Donate Now button on our homepage or mail us a check, and we will put you in touch with Mr. Carroll to arrange for the details of your ride. For more information about The Original Glider Ride, visit www.honolulusoaring.com.

-GIR-