Kamaka's N231H

Kamaka AIr's Beech E-18S, N231H (msn BA-281), has been repainted to match N9796N, their Douglas Super DC-3, and N145KA, their new Cessna Caravan. It was recently painted by the Kamaka Air maintenance staff.

N755NA - Barack Obama's Charter

US Presidential candidate Barack Obama (D) is chartering a North American Airlines 757-28A, N755NA (c/n 30043), and the jet has been painted in special colors for his campaign, with both his slogan and logo. Senator Obama (D-IL) was born in Honolulu, and graduated from Punahou School, and is here with his family to vacation, visit with family living here, and appear at a political fundraiser. It's sort-of a homecoming, and first visit to Hawai‘i since announcing his presidential campaign.

His flight was delayed for over two hours, as thousands waited at nearby Ke‘ehi Park, where Obama was to make an appearance at a rally put on by local supporters, before heading to his hotel.

I wanted to get a photo of the plane, and thought it had already arrived. According to camera crews, they said the flight was late. I found a vantage point where local TV camera crew were waiting, and was allowed to take photos of the arrival alongside them. I did not really care if I got a shot of Obama, I just wanted the plane, and I got it. The press corps exited the aircraft first, and in fact the Obamas' had yet to exit the aircraft when I left, which was about 20 minutes after the plane parked.

A special mahalo to the airport security staff for allowing me to get these shots.

Xiamen's B-5383

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5383 (c/n 35631), their second 737-86N(W) in the past four days. It arrived at HNL from BFI as CXA5383, and will continue onto MAJ tomorrow. B-5383 is seen above in the late afternoon sun.

Xiamen's B-5382

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5382 (c/n 35631), a 737-86N(W), and its making its way toward XMN (Xiamen, China) as CXA5382. It arrived later than most delivery flights, after 1900HST, and should continue onto MAJ tomorrow.

Sorry, no HNL photo available ...

An A319CJ Visits The Islands

Comlux Aviation's A319-115X CJ with Swiss registry HB-IPO (cn 2592), arrived Maui today nonstop from ATL (Atlanta). The Comlux website has an interior view.

Polet Flight's An-124

A Polet Flight An-124 is in from TPA (Tampa, FL) as POT923, and is parked on the North Ramp Hardstands. The flight continues to BNE (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia).

Sorry no HNL photo ...

Hainan's B-5406

Hainan's latest 737-84P(W), B-5406 (c/n 35760) is on its delivery flight from BFI to China as B5406, and it made its first stop at HNL today. It will continue onto MAJ and SPN tomorrow.

B-5406 is seen above in the late afternoon light.

Shandong's B-5351

Shandong Ailrines is taking delivery of their newest 737-85N(W), B-5351 (c/n 36194). It's flying through HNL as CDG5351 from BFI, and will continue onto MAJ and SPN, before delivering to TNA (Jinan Airport, Yaoqiang, China).

B-5351 is wearing special titles "Friendly Shandong" to promote the city (above photo).

Flight Deck View On 8R

Ready for departure Saturday morning to Narita.

Canadian CF18 Hornets

Seen Saturday morning while taxiing out for the reef runway were this gaggle of RCAF CF18 Hornets, were these associated with Rimpac??

Southwest To HNL?

Southwest Airlines is exploring options to expand their service to HNL by the end of 2009, with a new code-share partner. Here's The Honolulu Advertiser article link.

Southwest and Canada's WestJet are code-sharing for flights to/from Canada.

Pictured above is Southwest's 737-7H4(W), N779SW (c/n 27884), at SNA in 2004 in the original ochre colors.

Lion Air's PK-LFQ

Lion Air International is taking delivery of their next 737-9GPER(W), PK-LFQ (c/n 35718). It's scheduled to arrive today, but will only stop for fuel, and continue onto MAJ and BIK.

Shenzhen's B-5400

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5400 (c/n 33529), their newest 737-87L(W). It is flying as CSZ5400 from BFI, and departs for MAJ tomorrow, after overnighting here.

Garuda's GIA8011

Another Garuda Indonesian Airlines 737 delivery flight has stopped off at HNL as GIA8011. It's a 737-300, and it arrived last night from GYR via LAX. The -300 is painted all white, but could not get a decent photo of it, nor get a good look at the registration, though "NW" was on the nose gear door. So my guess is the reg is PK-_NW ...

Air China's B-5392

B-5392 (c/n 36488) is Air China's newest 737-89L(W) that's making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA058. It will overnight at HNL, and continue onto MAJ tomorrow.

VP-CBA

Caught this unusual BizJet, VP-CBA (c/n 22628), on Saturday at the "new" Castle and Cooke Aviation ramp area. What a beautiful 737 this is! I especially liked the polished nacelles for the old smokies. I had just enough of the setting sun to catch this expensive toy. What a cool way to spend $55M!

B-52H Down

Various news sources are reporting that a USAF B-52H Stratofortress has gone down about 30 miles off of Guam. The BUFF was based out of Barksdale, Louisiana, and was TDY to Andersen in Guam. Presumably, all six crewmembers aboard are lost. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the warriors who are now on eternal patrol ...

Air New Zealand's ZK-SUJ

Air New Zealand's flight 1982 from BNE (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) is bound for HNL this morning, and is a 747-4F6, ZK-SUJ (c/n 27602).

Mahalo to Ha763 for the photo ... "Sorry for the jet bridges blocking the way, but Gate 34 is really difficult to get a good shot at. You have to be in the road to even try to get a good shot or else you have the jet bridges at Gate 33 blocking the front of the aircraft."

Hainan's B-5405

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of its next 737-84P(W), B-5405 (c/n 35759), and it overnighted on the north ramp.

Mahalo to Ha763 for the photo.

Shandong's B-5350

Shandong Airlines' B-5350 (c/n 36193), a 737-85N(W), is HNL-bound on its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5350.

Sorry, no HNL photo available.