Ohana by Hawaiian (Honolulu) is now planning to launch scheduled passenger operations between Honolulu and Molokai (MKK) on March 11. This will be followed by Honolulu-Lanai (LNY) service on March 18 with ATR 42-500s operated by Empire Airlines (Idaho) (3rd).

The airline is currently in the FAA certification process and these launch dates are subject to that process.

Former Czech Airlines ATR 42-500 N804HC (msn 623, ex OK-JFJ) was delivered in January 2014.

Hawaiian issued this statement and schedule:

Three daily flights to MKK will launch on Tues., March 11 and twice daily service to LNY will begin on Tues., March 18. The daily flights, operated by Empire Airlines, are scheduled below:

 

The livery of the new 48-passenger ATR-42 aircraft was created by renowned Hilo-based artist Sig Zane and his son Kuha’o. They incorporated Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland route map as a foundation for the design, which weaves three kapa patterns: piko (navel), representing ancestry and progeny; manu (bird), representing both a bird in flight and the prow of a canoe, the traditional form of migration; and kalo (taro), representing family. The ATR 42 aircraft are named after a significant wind on each of the islands that ‘Ohana by Hawaiian will serve: Holo Kaomi of Paoma’i, Lana’i; Kaiaulu of Wai’anae, O’ahu; and Hikipua of Halawa, Moloka’i.

The ‘Ohana by Hawaiian operation creates more than 100 new Hawai’i-based jobs in various areas of air transportation including pilots, flight attendants and mechanics as well as ground-handling and customer service positions. Hawaiian Airlines handles reservations and sales for the new operation, allowing the interisland flights to integrate seamlessly into Hawaiian Airlines’ well-established route network. The service will operate out of gates 49 and 50 at Honolulu International Airport.

 

Images: Hawaiian.

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