HONOLULU (KHON2) — The grounding of Mokulele Airlines has stretched into its second day. Residents and lawmakers are hoping for more long-term solutions.
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The community steps in when Molokai’s only passenger airline is down for maintenance inspections. Haley Cariaga’s boyfriend made several runs to Maui from Molokai on Thursday, Jan. 16 and often brought precious cargo.
“Had someone this morning jump on another charter boat because she had surgery on Oahu, so she had to catch a boat this morning from Mala, get to Kahului just to jump on a flight so she can make it to surgery,” Cariaga said.
Mokulele Airlines told KHON2 on Tuesday, Jan. 15 that passengers with medical and health concerns were prioritized, but even lawmakers were fed up with the second company grounding since August 2024.
“I’m just livid with the entire situation. It’s frustrating. I got my 85-year-old father down there,” Sen. Lynn DeCoite said. “I’ve asked for the federal {government} to step in with funding to expand our runway, as well as I’m introducing legislation on a request of a $25 million appropriation for that.”
Residents said another airline carrier that flies to Molokai has been needed for a while, but local charter captains are trying their best to fill the gap in the meantime.
“When something like this happens, Molokai really gets together,” Cariaga said, “I think we just need more options on flights.”
DeCoite said Hawaii’s congressional delegation made no moves to address the situation in 2024 and she hopes a Zoom call with Sen. Mazie Hirono’s chief of staff goes well on Friday, Jan. 17.
“Mazie has yet to try to address this, as well as Brian Schatz and I told them, I said, ‘You guys need to help step up and work with us,’” DeCoite said.
The Federal Aviation Administration directed KHON2 to contact Mokulele for updates, airline officials did not respond on Thursday but Sen. DeCoite expects the company-imposed grounding to be lifted on Friday if all maintenance checks go smoothly.