Mokulele Airlines provides 14 weekly flights between Hana and Kahului in Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft.

HANA – Mokulele Airlines announced that it has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be the official EAS (Essential Air Service) provider for Hana.

Mokulele is proud to be the hometown airline for Hana for the next two years. With 14 weekly flights between Hana and Kahului, travel to and from Hana just got easier, and the community of Hana can rest easy knowing their daily air service will continue.

When the U.S. DOT first began its Essential Air Service, it was to ensure small communities had access to certified air carriers. The guarantee meant safe air travel and two daily round-trip flights for small communities all across the United States.

For Hana residents and neighboring communities, this means the two-and-a-half-hour drive into town can be bypassed and tourism can continue to grow.

With its Nov. 21, 2017, start date under the EAS contract, residents are assured that their trips for medical care, business appointments and recreational activities could continue.

Maui County Councilman Robert Carroll said Mokulele’s service “has made it easy and affordable for businesses, government and many others to be able to travel to and from Hana.”

He went on to say without the valuable air service, the Hana community would feel stranded in the cases of emergency.

Cynthia Johnson, a senior resident of Hana, said, “I cannot imagine life in Hana without the option of air service.”

Paula Satterthwaite of Hana said she “has found Mokulele to be reliable and a great asset to Hana residents.” She also noted that Hana Highway is becoming less stable, so the flights from Mokulele are more essential.

Doris Buckley, the production coordinator for Hana Side News, said, “Ever since Mokulele was first awarded the contract to help Hana folks establish relationships of good quality plane travel and safe and reliable flights, we’ve been more than happy with the airline.”

In anticipation of this contract, Mokulele switched its flight service times to better meet the needs of the community. To learn more, or to book flights, visit Mokulele’s website at www.mokuleleairlines.com.