Hurricane Hunters Base At LIH

With Tropical Depression 2-C approaching the islands, three WC-130Js from the 53rd WRS "Hurricane Hunters" arrived at LIH today. 96-5302 (msn 382-5453) arrived as TEAL81, 97-5305 (msn 382-5475) arrived as TEAL82, and 98-5308 (msn 382-5487) arrived as TEAL83.

21 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Depression 2-C has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Moke today.

N187PF Hard Landing At LNY

The Maui 24/7 Facebook page reports that N187PF (msn 444A), a Sling LSA owned by Pacific Flight Academy, had a hard landing at LNY, at 16:15HAST this afternoon. It was on a flight from HNL as KA87. According to the OpenADSB playback, the LSA had flown the approach for Runway 3, then did a quick go-around for Runway 21, landed hard and ended up leaning on its nose in the infield grass. Fortunately, the pilot did not suffer any injuries.

Further information in this Aviation Safety Network report.

Lynden Air Cargo's N405LC

Lynden Air Cargo's white-tail L-100-30, N405LC (msn 382-5025) is making a stop at HNL from TUS as LYC527.

21 August 2026 UPDATE

N405LC departed west-bound as LYC527 this evening.

Republic of China Air Force's First F-16s

The Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force is taking delivery of their first two Block 70 F-16V Vipers. 6727 (sn 21-1107 / VN-7) and 6728 (sn 21-1108 / VN-8) are making their delivery flights from FTW to RCQS [Chihang Air Base, Taitung, Taiwan], and are making a stop at HIK. They departed FTW on the 17th, and stopped at CEA [Cessna Field, Wichita, KS], escorted by a US Air Force KC-135R, 61-0293 (c/n 18200, l/n T0515), from the 22nd ARW.

These F-16Vs are the first of 66 that the Republic of China Air Force ordered in 2019. It will be a mix of single-seat C models, and two-seat D models, that fall under the Block 70 V variant.

Further information in this Taipei Times article.

NOAA's N42RF Returns

NOAA has deployed N42RF back to JRF for research flights into Tropical Depression 2-C. The weather system is forecasted to turn into Tropical Storm Moke (pronounced Moh-kay) within the next 12-24 hours. This WP-3D is arriving from LGB this afternoon as NOAA42.

The above photo was taken today, on short final for JRF's Runway 22L, on its arrival from LGB.

21 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Depression 2-C has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Moke today.

25 August 2026 UPDATE

With Tropical Depression Moke way off to the west of Hawai‘i, N42RF departed for LGB this morning.

Alaska Airlines' N461AS Brings Hurricane Assistance

Alaska Airlines flew a charter flight from ONT to ITO today, to bring in electrical workers and others to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Lala in Hawai‘i Island's Ka‘ū District. N461AS (c/n 36363, l/n 4850, f/n 461), a 737-990ER, made the flight as ASA9646. It later flew to KOA to reposition as ASA9717.

N461AS is seen above, landing on Runway 4R, in a photo taken in October 2025.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IP

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IP "Bicheno Beach" (c/n 67047, l/n 9768) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. This is Virgin Australia's second 737-8 delivery this month.

18 August 2026 - 12:45 UPDATE

VH-8IP has been diverted to HNL for its overnight stop.

20 August 2026 UPDATE

VH-8IP departed for BNE this morning as VOZ9947.

Hurricane Lala Airport Updates

With Hurricane Lala approaching and expected to pass over Hawai‘i Island today, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has already closed ITO for the day, and will close KOA around 14:00.

Flights into and out of OGG have been canceled for latter part of today.

Further information in this HDOT news release.

If you are traveling today and tomorrow, please check with your airline for flight status.

For all of our friends in Hawai‘i, please stay safe!

16 August 2026 UPDATE

Following inspections, HDOT reopened ITO and KOA this morning.

As the now-downgraded Tropical Storm Lala is now south of Kaua‘i, please check with your airline about your flight status. Some airlines have reported cancellations for today.

17 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Storm Lala is now west of the main Hawaiian Islands, and continuing toward the International Date Line.

Airzena Georgia Airways' N477AX

Cargo Aircraft Management is ferrying N477AX (c/n 29390, l/n 870) from QPG to MCN [Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon GA], with a stop at HNL today. This 767-3Q8ERF just completed freighter conversion, and is headed for painting for its new lessee. It arrived still wearing the Airzena Georgia Airways livery, which was the last airline leased to.

29390's History:

Mar 2002: Delivered to Skymark Airlines as JA767C, under lease from ILFC.

Jan 2007: Painted in the current Skymark livery.

Mar 2008: Leased to Rossiya Airlines as EI-DZH.

May 2014: Acquired by AerCap, and the lease was transferred.

May 2016: Leased to Omni Air International as N477AX (f/n 477).

Jun 2024: Leased to Airzena Georgia Airways as 4L-GTR.

Mar 2026: Returned to Cargo Aircraft Management as N477AX, and ferried to QPG for freighter conversion.

13 August 2026 UPDATE

N477AX departed for MCN early this morning.

Lāna‘i Air Launches MKK Service

Lāna‘i Air launched daily C408 SkyCourier service between HNL and MKK today. The first flight, STT540/541 was flown by N971LA early this morning. Lāna‘i Air has four scheduled flights round-trip flights between HNL and MKK per day.

Tropical Invest 93C

To get a handle of the storm systems southeast of Hawai‘i, NOAA has dispatched its G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), and one of its WP-3Ds, N42RF "Kermit" (msn 285A-5266) to the islands to monitor the storm. N49RF arrived yesterday as NOAA49, and N42RF will arrive later today as NOAA42. Both aircraft will be based out of JRF for this deployment.

The US Air Force is sending 97-5305 (msn 382-5475) from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. This WC-130J Weatherbird is flying from MHR to KOA as TEAL83. 

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Invest 93C, a system southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Invest is the NHC term for Investigating for potential tropical development, 93C is the location designator, and would be named Lala in the event of it developing into a tropical depression.

National coverage with this Fox Weather report; and local coverage with this KHON2 report.

12 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Invest 93C has been upgraded to Tropical Cyclone 1C. Two more WC-130Js arrived, 96-5302 (msn 382-5453) and 97-5303 (msn 382-5473) to fly into the storm.

13 August 2026 UPDATE
Tropical Cyclone 1C has now been upgraded to Tropical Storm Lala.

Follow updates on the National Hurricane Center advisory.

15 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Storm Lala has been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane.

Both N42RF and N49RF departed JRF this morning for SDM [Brown Field, San Diego, CA]. 

10,000,000 Views!

A big mahalo goes out to all of our readers and contributors! The HNL RareBirds™ has broken the 10,000,000 views mark this afternoon! Thank you to you all for helping this website reach this milestone! You are very much appreciated!

Royal Air Force's ZZ332

ZZ332 (msn 1275), a Voyager KC3 (A330-243 MRTT) from the Royal Air Force's 10 Squadron / No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support) is making a stop at HNL from YAMB, as RRR2205.

11 August 2026 UPDATE

ZZ332 departed for MCI as RRR2205 this morning.

N613FC

N613FC (msn 208B5151), a C208B Grand Caravan EX Floatplane, owned by Cobra Aviation Services LLC [Oklahoma City, OK] is being ferried from HAN [Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam] to MCE with stops at DVO [Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao, Philippines], GUM, MAJ, and HNL. N613FC is seen above, ferrying without the float kit.

208B5151's History

Oct 2014: Delivered to Hai Au Aviation JSC as N3100L.

Dec 2014: Registered as VN-B466.

Jly 2026: Purchased by Cobra Aviation Services LLC.

11 August 2026 UPDATE

N613FC departed for MCE early this morning.

China Southern Airlines' N240BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N240BE (c/n 44410, l/n 9775) from BFI to HSN for painting and cabin completion. This 737-8 is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM as BOE143. It will be given its Chinese registration prior to delivery.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IO

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IO "Vestey's Beach" (c/n 67046, l/n 9757). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. It's overnight stop at KOA is tonight. This is Virgin Australia's tenth 737-8 delivery for 2026.

PK-GLE

The Aviation Capital Group is ferrying PK-GLE (msn 2598) from CGK to P08, with stops at GUM, MAJ, and JRF. This A320-232's overnight stop at JRF is tonight. PK-GLE is seen above wearing the Citilink base livery without titles.

2598's History:

Nov 2005: Delivered to Royal Jordanian as JY-AYD "Amman", under lease from the Aviation Capital Group.

Oct 2011: Withdrawn from service.

Feb 2012: Returned to ACG as N598AG.

Jun 2012: Leased to Citilink as PK-GLE.

Jan 2020: Stored at CGK.

Sep 2023: Re-inducted into service with "PT PPA Danareksa" decals.

Dec 2025: Decals removed.

Apr 2026: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CGK.

Nauru Airlines Aims For HNL Service

CH-Aviation reports that Nauru Airlines is aiming for a first quarter 2027 launch to serve HNL from MAJ with their 737-800. It could also involve a code share with Air Marshall Islands.

Nauru Airlines received clearance to begin service from the US DOT, and the governments of both Nauru and the Marshall Islands in February 2024.

N529HG

N529HG (msn 19000529), an ERJ-190LR owned by Regional One, is being ferried from XSP to OPF, with stops at BIK, MAJ, JRF, and ONT. N529HG is seen above wearing the Myanmar Airlines International base livery without titles. According to the conversation on the scanner, the pilots told the air traffic controller that this E190 is going to OPF for painting.

19000529's History:

Apr 2012: Delivered to China Southern Airlines as B-3145, under lease from CDB Aviation.

Oct 2020: Leased to Myanmar Airlines International as XY-ALO "Sittwe".

Sep 2021: Renamed "Hakha".

Jun 2026: Withdrawn from service, and stored at RGN [Yangon International Airport, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar].

Jly 2026: Acquired by Regional One (a Bank of Utah trustee), re-registered as N529HG, and ferried to XSP for storage.

06 August 2026 UPDATE

N529HG departed for ONT, then OPF, early this morning.

Omega Tanker's N235UL

Omega Tanker's N235UL (c/n 46956, l/n 235) is making a stop at JRF tonight, from DNA as OME12. This KDC-10-30CF had been based out of DNA on its first deployment since it entered service, stopped through HNL last month.

07 August 2026 UPDATE

N235UL departed JRF this morning and returned to VCV as OME12.