N578GC

Kamaka Air has acquired N578GC (msn 208B2153), and is making its delivery flight from VGT, via HII (Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu City, AZ) and SMX. This is their second C208B Grand Caravan, that will be used in the Kamaka Air Charter division.

N578GC's History:

Jun 2010: Delivered to Propel Aviation Leasing.

May 2018: Purchased by Walston Aviation LLC, and operated by Davonair, dba Tropic Air Express (Miami, FL).

Apr 2025: Acquired by Kamaka Air.

Mokulele Airlines Suspends Operations

Mokulele Airlines suspended operations today due to a maintenance and inspection stand-down. No date was given as to when the airline will resume operations.

To assist with the some of the stranded Mokulele passengers, Kamaka Air Charter's N828DC stepped in to perform flights between HNL and MKK and LUP.

Further details in this Hawaii News Now report.

17 January 2025 UPDATE

Mokulele Airlines announced today that they will resume service on Sunday, 19 January. In a KHON2 News report today, there were questions as to why the airline operates only the Cessna Caravan, and not multiple types. What the report fails to mention is that Mokulele/Southern ferried off the Saab SF340Bs and two of the three Tecnam P2012 Travelers brought from Guam, late last year.

Kamaka Air's N689KA Crashes

Kamaka Air's C208BF Grand Caravan, N689KA (msn 208B2308), crashed outside HNL shortly after taking off from Runway 4L on a training flight to LNY as KMK689. The C208BF reported engine and control issues, and the pilots did their best to avoid the HNL fuel farm, the Skyline guideway, and other buildings before crashing into the former SkyChefs building (now owned by HDOT). Both pilots aboard lost their lives in the accident. A fire ensued following the crash, and was put out by HNL ARFF and HFD crews. The FAA and NTSB will be investigating this accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the two pilots, and the Kamaka Air ‘ohana.

Further details in this Honolulu Star-Advertiser article.

Juan Browne's Blancolirio YouTube channel has a video about the accident.

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.

Kamaka Air's Growth Plan

In a CH-Aviation.com article, Kamaka Air said that their growth plan moving forward is a conservative one, as they expect to take delivery of one more aircraft, and may possibly order more. The main expansion goal for Kamaka, is to grow its inter-island cargo service.

The airline dismissed the idea of expanding to TransPacific service, with Aloha Air Cargo ceasing their HNL-LAX daily round-trip cargo flights.

Kamaka Air Cleared To Resume Operations

The FAA has allowed Kamaka Air to resume operations this evening, following a week-long suspension of service. Kamaka's cargo operation will return to normal service by Friday.

FAA Suspends Kamaka Air's Operations

The FAA has suspended the operating certificate for Kamaka Air, Wednesday, as the airline undergoes a change in leadership. While Kamaka awaits its leadership change, they have contracted with TransAir Hawaii to cover for their services.

News coverage by KHON2 News.

Kamaka Air Charters

Kamaka Air launched their executive inter-island charter service, Kamaka Air Charters, today. N828DC (msn 208B2074), a Grand Caravan EX, will make the charter flights.

Kamaka Air's N408KA

Kamaka Air is taking delivery of their first Cessna C408 SkyCourier, N408KA (msn 408-0009). The local-based cargo airline will have the C408 flown from ICT to VGT for its ferry tank system installation, then a fuel stop at MRY, before making its TransPacific flight home. This SkyCourier is also the first to be delivered to an airline outside of Fedex’s order for 50.

Kamaka Air's N236KA Crash on Moloka‘i

Kamaka Air's C208BF, N236KA (msn 208B-2034), crashed on approach to MKK early this morning. Thankfully, both pilots were able to walk away from the aircraft. The flight, KMK236, was about 1.5 miles from the MKK's Runway 5.

Further information in this Hawai‘i News Now report.

Kamaka Air's N208VV

Kamaka Air is adding their sixth C208BF Grand Cargomaster, N208VV (msn 208B2308). It's making its delivery flight from VGT via SMX to OGG today. The airline will re-register this Caravan as N689KA upon arrival to HNL.

Kamaka Air Retires N9796N

Kamaka Air has retired it's Douglas DC-3S, N9796N (c/n 43375). It has been acquired by the Fourrier Foundation Inc [Dallas, TX]. It will be dismantled, and shipped to the mainland for restoration.

Kamaka Air's N234PR

Kamaka Air is taking delivery of N234PR (msn 208B2034) tonight. This C208BF Grand Cargomaster is making its delivery flight from VGT to HNL, via SMX. This is Kamaka's fifth Caravan, and the first to wear it's new modified livery, with a new logo on the tail.

Kamaka Air's N954RJ

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Kamaka Air's Beech C-45H, N954RJ (msn AF-5). It was modified with the Tradewind single vertical tail, and tricycle landing gear package. It was retired in 2006.

Kamaka Air's N20325

Kamaka Air is taking delivery of N20325 (msn 208B2407), a Cessna C208BF "Grand Cargomaster", this afternoon. It's making its final leg of the trip from SMX. This will be Kamaka's fourth Caravan freighter to join their fleet.

Kamaka Air's N231H To Go To Museum

Kamaka Air is readying their last Beech E18S, N231H (msn BA-281), to be shipped to an air museum in Oregon. It was last flown a couple of years ago, and had sat on their ramp, until recently, when it was decided to donate the 60-year-old aircraft.

Kamaka Air's N231H

Our April edition of "HNLRareBirds Classic" goes back to November 2005, where Kamaka Air's Beech 18, N231H was temporarily painted in the above livery for its appearance in the ABC Television series "Lost". Using Tempra paint and floor wax, this livery was applied over a few days for in-flight scenes of a similar crashed Beech18. After the scenes were filmed, the livery was removed, and N231H was put back into service.

Kamaka's N8CA

Kamaka Air has taken delivery of their third Cessna C208BF Caravan. N8CA (msn 208B2329) arrived on the 19th from SMX, after undergoing freighter conversion. Although freighter flooring was installed, there still are the anchor points for seats. The airline plans to keep the current livery, and add Kamaka Air titles.

Kamaka's N248KA Enters Service

Kamaka Air's newest C208BF Grand Cargomaster, N248KA (msn 208B2408), entered service this morning with a flight to MKK. It's seen above taxiing out for its departure from Runway 4R.

Kamaka's N248KA

Earlier this week, HNL's newest resident arrived on its delivery flight from SMX. Kamaka Air took delivery of their second Cessna C208BF Grand Cargomaster, N248KA (msn 208B2408). The C208BF was painted into the Kamaka livery at SMX, after flying from the Cessna factory.