Mokulele Airlines

The newly established Essential Rural Medical Air Transport program is teaming up with Pūlama Ka Heke on Molokaʻi and Lāna‘i Kinā‘ole to allow air transportation for non-emergency medical services that aren't offered on these islands.

After a weeklong shutdown of Mokulele Airlines service earlier this month, flight cancellations continue. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol reports the situation is leaving some neighbor island residents with no choice but to make risky crossings by boat for medical care.

There’s trouble on the interisland airline front again as Mokulele Airlines has temporarily halted flights this week. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol has more.

We've heard about airline reliability issues for residents of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi — and the concerns that has caused for access to health care on these rural islands. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on a state pilot program that seeks to address these issues.

Under the Essential Air Service contract, Mokulele will provide Lānaʻi with 21 weekly round-trip flights to Kahului and 42 round trips to Honolulu on nine-seat Cessna Caravan aircraft. The airline will receive around $4 million annually through August 2026. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol has more.

Mokulele Airlines temporarily grounded most of its fleet over the weekend, stranding dozens of passengers. For Moloka’i residents, Mokulele is a lifeline and the only means of commercial transportation to neighbor islands. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on what led to the cancellations.

Lāna'i will be getting federally subsidized air service for the first time. Mokulele Airlines and Pacific Air Charters have submitted competitive bids. Both are proposing 42 weekly round trips between Lānaʻi and Honolulu, and 21 weekly round trips to Maui. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports the selection process is currently underway.

Air travel is a lifeline for the community of Lānaʻi. However, the primary airline for the island's residents says it will need federal subsidies to continue the service. Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi were deemed Essential Air Service airports in 1983 but have never had subsidized service. As HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports, that's about to change.

After waiting months to see specialists off-island, Moloka’i and Lāna’i residents say they often miss their appointments because of delayed or canceled flights. What's on the horizon to help? HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol looks at possible solutions.

Rural island residents say they can’t count on flights because frequent airline delays are causing them to miss critical medical appointments. A bill moving through the state legislature seeks to improve air service reliability for Moloka’i and Lana’i patients. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol reports.