Avery Truck Returned to Lanai

Many Lanai residents and visitors to the island in the years prior to 1975 remember that there was an old truck on the side of the road to Manele Harbor and Hulopoe beach. The truck was originally brought to Lanai in 1912 by Charles Gay, who at one time owned almost all of Lanai. Around 1922 the truck broke down, and it remained unused, on the side of the road until 1975. By that time it was a rusting relic. But Ross Moody, Don Lubitz and Bob Gosch discovered the truck and took it to Honolulu, where over the years it was transformed into a restored vehicle of exceptional value.

1911 Avery TruckRoss Moody and family offered to return this one of kind vehicle to Lanai for the people to enjoy, and as a part of the Lanai CHC heritage programs. Castle & Cooke has granted temporary permission to Lanai CHC was fortunate to be able to display the truck between December 2-5, 2011 in conjunction with the community holiday events. On December 5th, the truck was relocated to the Ilima Warehouse, where it will be safely stored until permission is received to display it full-time. While housed in the Ilima Warehouse, special arrangements can be made to see the truck by calling 808.565.7177 or emailing info@lanaichc.org.

We are indebted to the Moody family (Walker-Moody Construction), Robert Kinoshita and staff (Pine Enterprises, Inc.), Young Brothers, Ltd., Lanai trucking, Inc. and Castle & Cooke for helping bring this historic resource home to Lanai and adding it to the heritage collections of Lanai CHC.