The KALAKALA continues to make headlines!

Click on these links to read recent press articles about the Kalakala.

The Olympian - May 26, 2009 - South Sound boasts many examples of modernist movement
Frost Park Chalk Off - RR's Steve Rodrigues Kalakala Themepark
Tacoma Weekly - Mar 26, 2009: Kalakala owner has bold plan
Maritime Life Magazine - May, 2005: Features an article on the Kalakala
Peninsula Daily News - Feb 20, 2005 - State Drops Lawsuit against Kalakala
Seattle Times - Oct 14, 2004: Businessman comes to Kalakala's rescue
Seattle Times - Sept 25, 2004: Kalakala ferry heading south to its new home
Peninsula Daily News - Sept 25, 2004 - Kalakala leaves Peninsula for new berth
Peninsula Daily News - Sept 21, 2004 - Coast Guard permit to tow Kalakala to be approved today
Peninsula Daily News - Sept 16, 2004 - Focus in Kalakala dispute turns to safety
Peninsula Daily News - Sept 15, 2004 - Time runs out, penalties loom for - Kalakala
Seattle Times - May 30, 2004: Needle, troll are your top icons
Seattle P.I. - Mar 9, 2004: Kalakala finally gets underway
Seattle P.I. - Dec 22, 2003: Kalakala's new ferry godfather hopes he'll sail where others failed
Seattle P.I. - Nov 11, 2003: Kalakala owner has huge plans
Seattle P.I. - Oct 23, 2003: Gil Reel, 1920-2003: The caretaker of the Kalakala
Seattle P.I. - Oct 10, 2003: Kalakala sale OK'd to enthusiastic buyer
 

KALAKALA moves to Neah Bay

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - The KALAKALA left her berth at Lake Union at 9:25 AM - passing through the Ballard Locks just before 11 AM. Once she was in open water, the tugs towed her north to Neah Bay. The KALAKALA looked wonderful out on the Sound again! By 1:30 PM she was just off Kingston, and by 2:00 she passed Point No Point. She made excellent progress, only having to slow down to 2 knots at 2 AM Wednesday morning due to heavy seas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The KALAKALA arrived safely in Neah Bay at approximately 10:30 AM, Wednesday, March 10th - a full day ahead of schedule. Steven Rodrigues, the KALAKALA's new owner says she did great on the trip!

What better than a vintage car to wish a vintage car ferry safe passage?

KALAKALA SALE FINALIZED

Friday, October 10, 2003 - On Thursday, October 9, a bankruptcy judge finalized the sale of the famous and historic Art Deco ferry, KALAKALA to Mr. Steven Rodriguez of Tumwater, Washington. Mr. Rodrigues pledges to restore the ferry to her former glory and operate her as a waterfront attraction that will visit the ports of Puget Sound. A written description of his proposal shows retail space and a theater on the restored main deck, event space on the upper cabin level and a museum and exhibition space below the main deck. The plan also proposes restoration of the famed "Double Horseshoe Cafe," with its curved counters. Mr. Rodrigues has formed a company called, "Lost Horizons" to restore the famous streamlined ferry. He plans to move the KALAKALA to Lake Union Dry Dock for inspection, and then to an undisclosed temporary moorage while he finalizes the restoration plans.

Friends of the KALAKALA remember Gil Reel

Monday, October 20, 2003 - The KALAKALA's guardian angel of Kodiak passed away this week. Gil Reel, the caretaker who refused to leave the KALAKALA when she was abandoned by her owners in Kodiak, died in Seattle. A veteran of World War II, Gil flew eighty-seven combat missions as a B-24 flight engineer before being shot down behind enemy lines. He survived two months in enemy territory, walking eight hundred miles to safety. Gil was on the KALAKALA's final run as a ferry in 1967. In 1971, he signed on to work on the KALAKALA after she became a cannery. Gil stayed with the boat and maintained her for twenty-seven years, well into his eighties. Every time the City of Kodiak wanted to scrap the vessel, he was steadfast - always believing that someone would come to save her. Gil formed a lasting friendship with KALAKALA rescuer, Peter Bevis, and he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

In his first visit to the rescued KALAKALA in Seattle in October 2002, Gil Reel gazes out the windows of the wheelhouse that was his home for so many years.

 

Video

Flying Bird (Part 1)


Flying Bird (Part 2)


Historic Kalakala