Mokulele Airlines And Makani Kai Air To Merge

Mokulele Airlines announced that they will be merging with Makani Kai Air, combining inter-island operations to the smaller Hawai‘i airports. Mokulele also announced that they will start non-stop service between HNL and LNY.

Makani Kai Air's four Cessna C208Bs will be transferred.

Further information in this MauiWatch.com article.

Makani Kai Rebrands Princeville Ops

The Pacific Business Journal reports that Makani Kai Air is rebranding its Princeville, Kaua‘i operation as Princeville Air. The name pays tribute to the name of Island Air's first identity, Princeville Airways.

Makani Kai Air To Launch KOA-OGG Service

Beginning August 1st, Makani Kai Air will begin four-times daily roundtrip service between KOA and OGG using their Cessna C208B Grand Caravans. The airline made an announcement this morning.

More information in this Pacific Business News article.

Makani Kai Air To Serve Princeville

Makani Kai Air announced today that they will begin twice daily service between Honolulu and Princeville, Kaua‘i [HI01] with their Piper PA-31 Chieftain, N135PB.

Further information in this KHON2 News article.

Makani Kai Air's N732LC

Makani Kai Air has taken delivery of N732LC (msn 208B1149). This C208B Grand Caravan is the fourth for the airline. It's owned by Iron Aviation LLC [Denton, TX], and is not known how long the lease will be.

Makani Kai Air's N865MA Crashes At LUP

Makani Kai Air's C208B Grand Caravan N865MA (msn 208B0996) was involved in a hard landing at LUP this morning. Thankfully, none of the nine passengers nor pilot were injured. N865MA suffered damage to both wings, collapsed nose gear, and propellor, and appears to be not flyable. Reports also say that there was a Cessna 172, N243SP (msn 172S8212), owned by Sky Dolphin [Honolulu, HI], that allegedly cleared the runway, but did not, which could classify this as a runway incursion. Later reports say that the C172 was in the turn-around, and the C208 pilot over-reacted, and their actions caused the accident.

Further information in this KHON2 News report.

Makani Kai Air's N937CK

Makani Kai Air has taken delivery of their fourth Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, with N937CK (msn 208B1118). This Grand Caravan arrived last night from SJC [San José, CA]. The delivery flight originated in SGS [South St. Paul, MN] that departed on the 13th, and made stops at IV6 [Canon City, CO], VGT [North Las Vegas, NV], and SJC.

This C208B was originally delivered to WCBS Equipment Leasing in March 2005. It was acquired by Schunneman Inc in December 2006. In August 2011, it went to Peanut Air LLC, and in October 2014 it was bought by TMI Solutions.


On a related note, Makani Kai Air's N135PB was finally retired. After being used in a "Hawaii Five-0" episode, it was seen at JRF with its wings detached. It was later re-assembled, and returned to service. It made its last flight on June 9th.

Makani Kai's N129CG

Makani Kai Air has acquired N129CG (msn 208B1290) from AmeriWing II, LLC (Miami, FL), which was flying on behalf of Bimini Bay, since 2007.

Makani Kai's N208PK

Makani Kai Air has added a Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, N208PK (msn 208B1143), as a replacement for the lost N687MA. It has been undergoing inspections and ferry tank removal after it arrived on March 19th from MCE.

Makani Kai's N687MA Ditches Near LUP

N687MA (msn 208B1002), one of the two Makani Kai Air's Cessna C208B Grand Caravans ditched in the waters a half-mile from LUP around 15:45HST. According to news reports, one of the eight passengers died. Some passengers were rescued by the Maui Fire Department, and the US Coast Guard also rescued some of the passengers. One of those on board, swam back to shore. The Grand Caravan went down shortly after take-off from LUP. The passenger that perished in the crash was Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy.

Continuing coverage in this Hawai‘i News Now article.

Our condolences go out to Ms Fuddy's family, and thoughts and prayers go out to the crash survivors.

The above photo was taken in late October 2013.