HONOLULU (KHON2) — This weekend, Mokulele grounded much of their fleet after finding potential problems with their landing gear during routine maintenance.
“It’s a crisis that we’re in,” said Molokai Resident Vandale Dudoit, who is worried with the recent issues involving Mokulele Airlines. “I have a surgery coming up this Thursday. I’m afraid to take the chance to go down, knowing that will I be able to come home? But more so, I’m just disappointed in the system that is supposed to help us,”
Molokai resident state Senator Lynn DeCoite said she’s been talking with the governor, DOT Director and even Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz about how to resolve the problem of only one airline serving the island of Molokai.
“They took it upon themselves to make sure the logs were all in check. That the landing gear was properly installed and that it was workable. You know, it was a mechanical issue,” said Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D) East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe. “With that being said, we’re looking at about a 48-hour turnaround and, of course, like many businesses, chain supply issues have been a major issue,”
Molokai resident state Senator Lynn DeCoite said she’s been talking with the governor, DOT Director and even Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz about how to resolve the problem of only one airline serving the island of Molokai.
Alternatives are not that simple. Molokai’s runway would need to be extended to accommodate larger carriers, but the estimated cost of about $100 million is likely not a possibility right now. Smaller airlines that could be brought in face the problem of being DOT compliant.
An inter-island ferry has been discussed, but a recent DOT feasibility study found that while those surveyed said they would like a ferry between Molokai, Lanai and Maui, only half said they would ride it.
“I’m frustrated as well,” said DeCoite. “As I sat at the airport, the first thing to come out of somebody’s mouth is eh, what is government doing about this? And I said the state has no jurisdictions over airlines. We run airports, so you know bear with us as we we try to work through it.”
Molokai residents like Jay Anderson, who was waiting for his delayed Mokulele flight Monday afternoon, said patience is something they use often, especially now.
“I think it’s fortunate the people of Molokai are pretty patient, because a lot of people wait very patiently,” said Anderson.
Mokulele said in a statement that, “the Mokulele team has been working diligently to safely and efficiently return our fleet back to service through these maintenance checks. Though we are not yet at full capacity, we are close to having all flights running on their regular schedules. We have successfully reaccommodated the vast majority of our passengers, and we greatly appreciate the continued flexibility and understanding from the Hawai’i community.”