‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N806HC

N806HC "Kili‘o‘opu" (msn 594), ‘Ohana by Hawaiian's ATR42-500 that was ferried to COE [Pappy Boyington Field, Coeur D'Alene Airport, Coeur D'Alene, ID] following the shutdown of the Hawaiian Airlines' subsidiary, was recently photographed at COE in a state of being parted out (top photo). The above photo shows N806HC in 2018, on the ‘Ohana by Hawaiian ramp.

Here are the fates of the rest of the ʻOhana by Hawaiian fleet:

N801HC "Kaiāulu": Scrapped at HNL in Aug 2021

N804HC "Holo Kaomi": Sold to NTE Aviation in Jun 2023 for parts

N805HC "Hikipua": Sold to Rise Air, and registered as C-GRYI in Feb 2023

N807HC "Paʻalā": Sold to Wasaya Airlines as C-GWRQ "In The Spirit of Jerry Mamakwa" in Jly 2022

N810HC "Alaʻoli": Sold to Wasaya Airlines as C-GWRD in May 2022

N811HC "Moaʻe Lehua": Sold to Fleet International Airlines as HA-KAY in Mar 2024.

All except N801HC were ferried to the Empire Airlines base at COE.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N801HC Scrapped

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's ATR42-500, N801HC "Kaiāulu" (msn 629), was parted out and scrapped in their hangar over the past few weeks. Since the ‘Ohana ATR42s were grounded due to the Wuhan Corona Virus pandemic, N801HC was seen on their ramp with its engines removed, and the windows taped over with foil. It appeared that this aircraft would be readied to ferry to CDL with the rest of the ‘Ohana fleet for sale by Hawaiian Airlines. However, within the past few weeks, the ATR42 was parked in their hangar, and its titles had been painted over. The majority of the fuselage was trucked out of HNL today.

The top photo of N801HC was taken in 2014 as ‘Ohana by Hawaiian began its service to LNY and MKK. The middle photo was taken in early August 2020, as the engines were removed, and the windows were sealed with foil tape. The above photo was taken in July 2021, as the livery and titles were painted over, as crews prepared to scrap 801.

Hawaiian Airlines Ends ‘Ohana by Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines announced this morning that they will end their ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary instead of restarting operations. ‘Ohana's ATR42-500 passenger operations have been suspended since January, and their ATR-72-200F cargo operations have been suspended since November 2020. This will end service to Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i by Hawaiian Airlines.

The aircraft are owned by a company under the Hawaiian Holdings umbrella, and will be ferried to the Empire Airlines (the ATR's operator) base at Couer d'Alene, ID, and will be put up for sale. Sadly, the Sig Zane designed livery will disappear from our airports.

With ‘Ohana's closure, passenger service to JHM, MKK, and LNY will fall upon Mokulele Airlines, and cargo to Kamaka Air.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Suspends Operations

With the US Department of Transportation's decision to award the non-funded Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to Mokulele Airlines for MKK and LNY, Hawaiian Airlines has suspended operations of its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary as of today. Both Empire Airlines (who handles the ATR42 and ATR72 operations) and Hawaiian Airlines will keep a minimal staff on-hand to maintain the fleet as it sits in storage at HNL.

Further details in this CH-Aviation.com report.

‘Ohana To Continue EAS Service

According to a Hawaii News Now report, Hawaiian Airlines will extend ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo service between HNL and MKK, and HNL and LNY as part of Essential Air Service requirements by the USDOT into mid-January 2021. Service beyond mid-January will be decided later.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian To Suspend Operations

Hawaiian Airlines announced that it would suspend operations of its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo services on November 1, 2020. Citing decreased demand due to the China Corona Virus pandemic, and the state's quarantine restrictions, the airline was forced to suspend operations of it subsidiary until significant demand for inter-island travel to MKK and LNY picks up.

Further information is in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N806HC

‘Ohana by Hawaiian is taking delivery of their fourth ATR42-500, N806HC "Kili‘o‘opu" (msn 594), today. It's making its delivery flight from COE [Pappy Boyington Field, Coeur d'Alene, ID] via CMA [Camarillo, CA], flown by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA496.

594 was originally delivered to Aeromar [VW/TAO] (México), in October 1999, as XA-TPS "Estadio de Colima", and flew until December 2016. It sold back to ATR, and was ferried to TLS and stored. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian acquired this ATR42 in April 2018, ferried it to COE for painting and interior configuration, and will enter service operated by Empire Airlines.

United To End Guam Turboprop Service

United Airlines announced that they will end their United Express (Cape Air [9K/KAP]) ATR42 turboprop service on Guam, effective May 31, 2018. United will switch over to mainline 737-824 service, beginning on June 1, 2018. This was also United Express' last turboprop service. Seen above is, N42836 (msn 200) is one of the three ATR42-320s for Cape Air, and was photographed in August 2004, as it made its delivery flight to GUM.

It's not known when Cape Air will ferry their three ATR42s to the mainland, and which route they'll take.

Further information in this World Airline News article.

N42386 was originally delivered to Bar Harbor Airlines (Continental Connection operator) [AJC] in August 1990. In July 1991, it was acquired by ExpressJet Airlines [EV/ASQ], and continued in the Continental Connection network, after Bar Harbor shutdown. In May 2004, it was sold to Cape Air (another Continental Connection operator), and ferried three months later to its island-hopping operations on Guam (f/n 836). When United Airlines merged with Continental Airlines in 2010, Cape Air and its fleet became part of the United Express network.

Hawaiian Holdings To Acquire Island Air's AOC

The trustee in charge of Island Air's Chapter 7 Bankruptcy proceedings revealed today that Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, will purchase Island Air's Air Operating Certificate, along with its frequent flyer program, intellectual property, ground service equipment, and some office equipment for $750,000. 

This acquisition, subject to approval by the US Bankruptcy Court on a hearing on January 5, 2018, will allow Hawaiian's subsidiary ‘Ohana by Hawaiian to operate on its own certificate. Currently, ‘Ohana is operated by Empire Airlines' pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews, under a contract when the subsidiary was announced; and also flies under Empire's flight code. It will mean that ‘Ohana will hire its own employees, and could mean that former Island Air employees could return to work for ‘Ohana. Hawaiian Airlines also created a new subsidiary, Elliott Street Holdings for the acquisition of Island Air's assets. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian presently has three ATR42-500s for its passenger operations, and three ATR72-200Fs for its yet-to-begin cargo operations. The airline has not stated if more ATR42s will be added to the fleet.

Further information in this Honolulu Star*Advertiser article.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Launches JHM Service

Thirty years to the day when the Kapalua Airport opened and Hawaiian Airlines began Dash7 service, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched its daily service between HNL and JHM today. N801HC made the inaugural flight this morning, that was greeted with a water cannon shower at JHM, after it exited Runway 20.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Hawaiian To Resume JHM Service

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that the airline will resume daily service between HNL and JHM (2 round-trips) and OGG and JHM (1 round-trip), using their ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary, beginning on January 18, 2017.

Hawaiian Airlines built and operated JHM from 1987 to 1993 using Dash7s, before selling the airport to the state. 

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Hawaiian Air Reveals Maui Expansion

USA Today reports the Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley revealed to the Maui Chamber of Commerce that the airline intends to expand operations at OGG in the near future, as it will begin receiving A321neos in 2017. With 16 of the new engine version of the A321, Dunkerley said that Hawaiian will expand more mainland flights from OGG, and other Neighbor Island airports to the US west coast, along with routes from HNL to smaller markets.

On another note, Hawaiian will return to JHM with their ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary, once the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation installs Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights on JHM's Runway 2/20, and certified by the FAA. No launch date was given.

‘Ohana Suspends Service Friday

‘Ohana by Hawaiian announced today, that they are suspending all flights for Friday, August 8th, due to Hurricane Iselle.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines travel advisory.

‘Ohana To Launch Maui Service

‘Ohana by Hawaiian announced today that they will begin daily ATR42 service from OGG to MKK, KOA, and ITO, that will launch this July.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

‘Ohana's "Lāna‘i Celebration"

This morning, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian invited a few members of the niche market media and local travel industry social media influencers on a day trip to Lāna‘i. We gathered at Gate 49 in the Inter-Island Terminal to board N804HC "Holo Kaomi". Among those accompanying us on the trip were Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley, ‘Ohana by Hawaiianʻs Managing Director Hadden Watt, livery designer Sig Zane and family, Maui Senator J. Kalani English, and the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders. 

We boarded at around 0910HST, I was seated in seat 2A, which is also the exit row on an ATR42. With everyone seated, we pushed back seven minutes ahead of departure time. After three Hawaiian Airlines take off and landings ahead of us, it was our turn to depart from Runway 8L. Our flight to Lāna‘i reached an altitude of FL070 at 295kts. The 18-minute flight was smooth, as was the landing on LNYʻs Runway 3. We parked at Gate 3, and deplaned to the main terminal (above). The weather at the airport was sunny and cool (70ºF / 21ºC), with a nice breeze blowing. We boarded Mercedes Sprinter vans from the Four Seasons Lāna‘i at Manele Bay to take us to the Lāna‘i Senior Center in Lāna‘i City where the celebration would take place.

The celebration was held with some of the kupuna (elder citizens) of Lāna‘i City. Members of the Hawaiian Airlines team that traveled with us visited with the "aunties and uncles" (a common term of endearment for older local residents) as the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders and Dancers prepared for their show. The show was similar to the pre-boarding celebrations when Hawaiian launches a new route. Mark Dunkerley led off the speeches, by thanking the residents of Lāna‘i for welcoming them back, as now they can seamlessly fly the Hawaiian Airlines route network from LNY. Hadden Watt spoke next, followed by Sig and Kuha‘o Zane (who talked about the livery), Senator J. Kalani English, and Maui County Council-member G. Riki Hokama. After a brief prayer in Hawaiian, a buffet lunch was served for everyone attending.

Our next venture was to the Four Seasons Lāna‘i at Manele Bay, where we would embark on a short hike to see Pu‘u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock). After getting settled, we began the hike from the pool area, then across Hulopo‘e Beach, then up to Pu‘u Pehe. We spent several minutes up there taking photographs, and a short break before heading back to the resort. We then boarded the Sprinter vans to take us back to LNY.

LNY is a quaint airport with three airlines serving it. It has four gates, but one large holding area. Once we all cleared TSA, it was a short wait before we boarded "Holo Kaomi" through Gate 3, to take us back home to HNL. We back-taxied down Runway 3 to the approach end to take-off, and got off the ground quickly, then making a 180º left turn to head back to HNL. The 21-minute flight was fairly smooth, flying at FL060 at 295kts. We landed on Runway 8L, and taxied back to Gate 49. That was a great day trip, and an incentive for future getaways to Lāna‘i!

HNL RareBirds extends a big mahalo to Mark Dunkerley and his staff at Hawaiian Airlines for hosting this trip and the activities!

‘Ohana Launches LNY Service

‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched the first of it's two daily flights between HNL and LNY this morning.

The above photo was taken last week.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

‘Ohana Launches MKK Service

‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched its Moloka‘i service this morning with a special flight this morning. CFS614 (operated by Empire Airlines) left Gate 49 with Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley, Hawai‘i State Senator J. Kalani English, livery artist Sig Zane (and family), and other Hawaiian Airlines personnel. N804HC, named "Holo Kaomi" (the winds over Paoma‘i, Lānaʻi), made the inaugural flight this morning (above).

Prior to the flight Kahu Richard Kamanu of Kaumakapili Church prayed over, and blessed "Holo Kaomi" (above). He and ‘Ohana's Managing Director Hadden Watt broke the mail lei affixed to the top of the doorway.

Livery designers Sig Zane (left) and his son Kuha‘o pose at the tail section of "Holo Kaomi".

In the passenger holding area, Hawaiian Airlines' Keoni Martin offered an ‘oli before Kahu Kamanu offered a prayer and blessing over the gate area. Mark Dunkerley and Hadden Watt untied the mail lei  before boarding could commence (above).

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release, and this Paul Drewes' report from KITV.

‘Ohana Commences Ticket Sales

‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched ticket sales today for their ATR42-500 service to MKK and LNY. The launch for MKK is scheduled for March 11th, and the LNY launch scheduled for March 18th, both pending government approval.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

N804HC is seen above departing Runway 8L for a training flight.

‘Ohana's N804HC

‘Ohana by Hawaiian has taken delivery of their first ATR42-500, N804HC "Holo Kaomi" (msn 623), today. It arrived from COE, via MMV (where it had ferry tanks installed), as SXA1043. For the time being, Empire Airlines will operate the ATRs with their AOC.

Photo of N804HC at MMV by Sabian404.

Time-lapse video from Hawaiian Airlines.

N804HC is seen above in a photo taken on 18 January, as CFS300 to LNY, as it begins proving flights before ‘Ohana can commence service.

‘Ohana By Hawaiian

‘Ohana by Hawaiian is the new branding for the new ATR42 operations that Hawaiian Airlines will launch this summer. The airline held a press conference this morning in the Inter-Island Terminal to announce their formal plans to operate two ATR42s for service to LNY and MKK. The ‘Ohana livery was designed by local clothing designer Sig Zane, and his son Kuha‘o.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release, and on Hawaiian's website.

photos from the media event to follow ...