Aloha Airlines' N823AL

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" Aloha Airlines' tribute, features 737-230/Adv, N823AL "Liholiho" (c/n 23154, l/n 1078, f/n 823), seen above, on a short final for Runway 26R in 2005.

N823AL was painted several months later in the retro "Funbird" livery to celebrate Aloha Airlines' 60th anniversary in 2006, and the name "Liholiho" was retained.

23154's History:

Jan 1985: Delivered to Lufthansa as D-ABMB "Ingolstadt".

___ 1993: Painted in the Lufthansa current livery.

Dec 1996: Acquired by Aloha Airlines as N823AL "Liholiho".

Jun 2006: Painted in the "Funbird" retro livery (above photo).

Mar 2008: Aloha ceased operations.

Jun 2008: Ferried to MHV for storage.

Apr 2017: Scrapped at MHV by Moto Art, fuselage skin were upcycled into PlaneTags, and other parts were upcycled as Moto Art products.

Aloha Airlines' N741AL

This quarter's HNL RareBirds Classic Aloha Airlines' tribute features N741AL "Olopana" (c/n 28641, l/n 809, f/n 741). This 737-76N is seen above, was photographed while under tow from the RON Ramp at SNA, as it would depart for OGG, prior to my flight to HNL. It was one of two Aloha 737-76Ns that overnighted at SNA.

28641's History:

Mar 2001: Delivered to Aloha Airlines as N741AL "Olopana", under lease from GECAS.

Mar 2008: Withdrawn from service due to airline shutdown, and returned to GECAS a month later.

Jan 2009: Leased to Arik Air as 5N-MJJ "City of Benin".

Jun 2018: Stored at LOS [Murtalla Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria].

Nov 2021: Acquired by AerCap, the lease transferred, and remains in storage.

Aloha Airlines' N743AL

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Aloha Airlines' 737-76N, N743AL "Paʻao" (c/n 28654, l/n 986), seconds from touching down on Runway 26R in 2005. 2026 would have been Aloha Airlines' 80th anniversary had Aloha still existed. In honor of their anniversary, our four quarterly HNL RareBirds Classics this year will feature Aloha 737s.

28654's History:

Oct 2001: Delivered to Aloha Airlines as N316ML, under lease from GECAS.

Jan 2002: Re-registered as N743AL, and named "Paʻao".

Dec 2005: Leased to Air-Berlin as D-ABBS.

___ 2007: Sold to Genesis Leasing, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2008: Painted in the 2007 livery.

Mar 2010: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2013: Leased to Southwest Airlines as N7811F.

Jan 2022: Painted in the current livery.

Jan 2023: Purchased by Southwest Airlines.

Jun 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BHM.

Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 93-2042

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds "Classic" features 93-2042 (msn 382-5371) of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron / 154th Wing. This Lockheed C-130H Hercules was photographed as it departed from Runway 8R in 2004.

93-2042's History:

___ 1994: Delivered to the 204th Airlift Squadron with the tail code HH.

Sep 2005: Re-assigned to the 169th Airlift Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard based at PIA [General Downing Field, Peoria International Airport, Peoria, IL]; and is still in service.

The C-130Hs of the 204th AS were replaced by Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs in 2006.

China Airlines' B-1866

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features China Airlines' 747-209B, B-1866 (c/n 21843, l/n 386) as it taxied to Runway 26L on Taxiway RT. This 1997 photo shows B-1866 about to return to TPE (via NRT) as CAL17.

21843's History:

Jly 1979: Delivered to China Airlines.

___ 1996: Painted in the current livery.

May 1999: Re-registered as B-18255.

May 2002: Crashed 20 minutes after departing TPE on 25 May 2002, as CAL611 [TPE-HKG], all 225 aboard killed.

B-18255 was on its last flight for China Airways, and was scheduled to be sold to Orient Thai Airways.

Lufthansa Cargo's D-ALCA

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Lufthansa Cargo's MD-11F, D-ALCA (c/n 48781, l/n 625), departing Runway 8R for AKL, when they flew cargo for Air New Zealand from FRA to AKL, with stops at ORD and HNL. The flight would continue westbound back to FRA.

48781's History:

Jun 1998: Delivered to Lufthansa Cargo as D-ALCA.

Aug 2021: Sold to Western Global Airlines as N781SN (f/n 781).

Dec 2022: Stored at RSW [Southwest Florida Airport, Fort Meyers, FL] for five months.

May 2023: Stored at SHV [Shreveport Regional Airport, Shreveport, LA].

Jan 2025: Returned to service with Western Global Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines' N581HA

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Hawaiian Airlines' 767-33AER "Manu O Ku" (c/n 28141, l/n 853, f/n 581), seen on its take off roll on Runway 22L in 2005.

28141's History:

Oct 2001: Delivered to Hawaiian Airlines as N581HA "Manu O Ku", under lease from AWAS.

Dec 2006: Purchased by Hawaiian Airlines.

___ 2009: Blended Winglets installed.

Apr 2017: Sold to FTAI, and leased back.

May 2019: Leased to Azur Air as VQ-BEO.

Dec 2022: Returned to FTAI, sold to UMB Bank, and registered as N567NC.

Feb 2023: Acquired by Northern Air Cargo (f/n 567).

Nov 2023: Ferried to QPG for freighter conversion.

Apr 2024: Ferried to ROW for storage in Strat Air livery.

Mar 2025: Inducted into service with Northern Air Cargo.

Kamaka Air's N99131

We're bringing back "HNL RareBirds Classic", this time, on a quarterly basis. This quarter, we are featuring Kamaka Air's C-47A-65-DL Skytrain, N99131 (c/n 18949), as it sat on HNL's South Ramp in 2005. While it never formally wore Kamaka Air titles, the faint outline of "Aero Venezuela" titles can be seen. This C-47A made appearances in the motion picture "Pearl Harbor" and "Outbreak"; and the television series "Magnum P.I." [episodes "Let Me Hear The Music" (1985) and "Going Home" (1985)] that were filmed in Hawai‘i.

N99131 was donated by James Petrides to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in April 2012, and was restored and repainted to its World War II US Army Air Force livery.

18949's History:

Oct 1943: Delivered to the US Army Air Force as 42-100486 "Cheeky Charlie".

Dec 1943: Assigned to the 40th TCS, 371th TCG, 5th AF.

Mar 1945: Assigned to the 6th TCS, 374th TCG, 5th AF.

Dec 1945: Sold to Australian National Airlines as VH-ANX "Tarrana".

Oct 1957: Transferred to Ansett-ANA.

Apr 1966: Transferred to Ansett-Airline of South Australia.

Mar 1970: Converted to a freighter, and transferred to Ansett-McRoberston Miller Airlines.

Aug 1972: Sold to Island Air Transfer as N99131.

Mar 1976: Leased to Genavco Corp and named "Tyranna".

Mar 1978: Acquired by Genavco.

Apr 1986: Loaned to Aloha Airlines to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.

Mar 2001: Transferred to the Kamaka Air fleet after the airline acquired Genavco.

Jan 2010: Sold to James Petrides.

Apr 2012: Donated to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

All Nippon Airways' JA8174

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features All Nippon Airways' 747-281B, JA8174 (c/n 23501, l/n 648), departing Runway 8R as it returns to NRT.

23501 was originally delivered to ANA in June 1986, and flew with the airline until 2005. From August 1989 to March 1990, ANA operated it for Australian Airlines.  In November 2005, it was bought by Air Universal as AP-BIC, and leased to Pakistan International Airlines in December 2006 for an unknown duration. In March 2008, it was acquired by Hellenic Imperial Airways as SX-TIC, and flew with the airline until 2016. After it was withdrawn from service, it was flown to KHI [Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan], where it currently sits in storage.

Delta Air Lines' N837MH

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back December 2005 with Delta Air Lines' 767-432ER, N837MH (c/n 29710, l/n 820, f/n 1813), wearing the "Colors In Motion" livery, departing Runway 22L.

N837MH was delivered to Delta in December 2000, and continues to fly for the airline. In spring 2010, it was painted to the current livery.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-5105

Our October edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Shenzhen Airlines' 737-97L, B-5105 (c/n 33646, l/n 1764), seen above departing Runway 8R on its delivery flight in August 2005, in the original livery.

B-5105 was originally delivered in August 2005. In late 2008, it repainted in to the current livery. In October 2017, it was sold to Xiamen Leasing, and leased back. B-5105 continues to fly with Shenzhen.

Air Transport International's N71CX

Our September edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to November 2004, with Air Transport International's DC-8-62H-CF, N71CX (c/n 45961, l/n 361), seen above on Taxiway RT. The ATI DC-8-62H-CFs were the backbone of their military charter service to AWK [Wake Island Airfield, WQ] and SUU [Travis AFB, Fairfield , CA] up until 2013, when 757-200Cs took over.

45961 was originally delivered to Alitalia Cargo System in June 1968 as I-DIWQ "Ciclope", it was also painted in the 1970s livery, and flew with them until June 1981. Sea & Sun Aviation purchased this DC-8 for Flying Tiger Line as N3931A. In 1986, it also flew for Air Cargo Spain. In June 1987, IAC Leasing Corporation purchased N3931A, and leased it to Hawaiian Airlines. Three months later, it was sold to First Security Bank of Utah, lease transferred, until February 1993. Hawaiian had the interior configured for 204 passengers. Later that October, it was sold to Trans American Express, and leased to Advance Air Charters as C-FHAA "The Spirit of Calgary". In November 1995, this DC-8 was acquired by Kalitta American International Airways, and re-registered as N818CK three months later. In February 1999, it was transferred to their Kitty Hawk International subsidiary for 15 months. ATI purchased this DC-8 in March 2003, registered as N71CX, and configured the interior to a combi (with 32 seats in the aft section).  In December 2009, it was sold to Cargo Aircraft Management (ATI's parent company), and leased back. It flew with ATI until January 2013. Sadly, N71CX was scrapped at MHV in April 2014.

Big Island Air's N381A

Our August "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to December 2005, when Big Island Air had this Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, N381A (msn 208B0339), seen taxiing on HNL's south side.

208B0339 was originally delivered to Modern Aero in April 2001 as N55CH. It was purchased by Big Island Air as N381A in December 2004, and flew with the airline until February 2008. It was sold to Wipaire Inc., then Wells Fargo Bank Northwest a few months later. In December 2008, it was sold to the Empire Aviation Group as A6-TDB. In January 2013, it was sold to Golden Falcon Aviation as N120ER. A year later, it was sold to an unknown owner in the Philippines.

Omni Air International's N369AX

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to July 2004, with Omni Air International's 757-28A, N369AX (c/n 28161, l/n 723), seen above at Gate 15. It was operating the Vacations Hawai‘i Las Vegas charter service.

28161 was originally purchased by ILFC, and delivered under lease to Canada 3000 in September 1996 as C-FOON. In April 2002, it was leased to National Airlines [N7/ROK] as N543NA, which lasted only seven months. In May 2003, it was leased to Omni Air International as N369AX, and flew with Omni for four years. In December 2007, it was leased to Astraeus as G-STRY until December 2011. During its time with Astraeus, it was subleased to bmi-British Midland (May 2008 - June 2011), and Iceland Express (June - August 2011). It's next lessee from May 2012 was UTAir as VP-BAS. In January 2015, it was sold to AerCap, then leased to Azur Air as VP-BAS. In December 2016, it was sold to DHL as N826DH, and converted to a package freighter. It was transferred to its UK division as G-DHKI in August 2017. EAT Leipzig acquired this 757 in March 2019 as D-ALEV, and continues to wear the DHL livery.

Continental Airlines' N76062

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic"goes back to July 2004, with Continental Airlines' 767-424ER, N76062 (c/n 29457, l/n 869, f/n 062), seen above parked at Gate 24 (now Gate D1).

N76062 was delivered to Continental Airlines in March 2002, and was transferred to the United Airlines fleet when Continental was taken over in 2010, and given the fleet number 0062. It still flies with United, and was most-recently here on March 17th from EWR. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been parked at ROW.

Kalitta Air's N709CK

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to March 2004, with Kalitta Air's 747-132SF, N709CK (c/n 20247, l/n 159), seen above taxing out to Runway 8R to return to LAX.

20247 was originally delivered to Delta Air Lines in November 1971 as N9900. Boeing acquired it in April 1977 to convert it to a freighter, and three months later, sold to Flying Tiger Line as N805FT. When Federal Express acquired Flying Tigers in 1989, it was transferred, and re-registered as N625FE. In May 1993, it was acquired by Air Hong Kong as VR-HKC. A year later Kalitta / American International Airways purchased this 747-132SF, and registered it as N625PL. In June 1998, it was re-registered as N709CK. From February 1999 to December 2000, it was leased to AIA's Kitty Hawk International subsidiary, then returned to AIA (which re-branded to Kalitta Air). N709CK flew with Kalitta Air until December 2008, when it was stored at OSC, and was scrapped there in June 2015. The registration has been transferred to a Kalitta 747-4B5F (c/n 26396, l/n 951).

Harmony Airways' C-GMYC

Our April edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" dates back to December 2005, and Harmony Airways' 757-258, C-GMYC (c/n 23917, l/n 152), pictured above exiting Runway 4R on Taxiway K, after a flight from YVR.

23917 was originally delivered to El Al Airlines in November 1987 as 4X-EBL (f/n 501), under lease from Boeing Capital, and returned in January 2001. It was leased to HMY Airlines in November 2002 as C-GMYC (f/n 801). The airline re-branded as Harmony Airways in May 2004, but ceased operations in June 2007. This 757 has been sitting in storage at GWO since Harmony's closure.

UPS's N301UP

Our March edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to April 2005, and UPS's N301UP (c/n 27239, l/n 580, f/n 301), as it taxies to Runway 8R. This 767-34AFER is pictured above in the original UPS livery.

N301UP was delivered to UPS in October 1995, and continues to fly for UPS.

N728A

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to July 1998, and Saudi Aramco's DC-8-72, N728A (c/n 46081, l/n 471), when it made a stop at HNL.

46081 was originally delivered to United Airlines in August 1969 as N8971U (f/n 2271). It was also painted in the "Friendship" livery in the mid-1970s. In May 1981, it was sold to Cammacorp, and was converted to a -72 with the JT3D-3Bs replaced with CFM56-2C5s. In July 1982, it was sold to Saudi Aramco as N728A, and had the cabin re-configured to a VIP layout. In 2000, N728A received the current Aramco livery. It was bought by AeroTurbine in January 2005. Sadly, this DC-8-72 was scrapped at OPF [Opa Locka, FL] several months later.

Ryan International Airlines' N310FV

Kicking off 2020's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic", is Ryan International Airlines' 757-23A, N310FV (c/n 25488, l/n 471), promoting SunTrips travel agency. It's seen above clearing Runway 4R on Taxiway K, in September 2005.

25488 was originally delivered to Air Transat in November 1992 as C-GTSE, under lease from Finova Capital Corporation. In January 2003, it was leased to Ryan International Airlines as N310FV. In March 2006, the Dart Group PLC [UK], acquired this 757, and assigned it to its airline, Jet2 as G-LSAC. In early 2013, G-LSAC was painted in the current Jet2 Holidays livery; and continues to fly for Jet2.