Tag Archives: Honolulu

‘Ohana by Hawaiian launches its second route to Lana’i

‘Ohana by Hawaiian (Honolulu) yesterday (March 18) launched its inaugural flight to Lana’i, the second of two islands it has returned to the Hawaiian Airlines network. The Lana’i service will operate twice daily using a 48-seat ATR 42 aircraft operated by Empire Airlines (Idaho). Last week, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian also launched thrice-daily service between Honolulu and Moloka’i.

The departure of Flight HA 612 to Lana’i Airport was preceded by remarks from Hawaiian Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Peter Ingram, followed by a traditional Hawaiian blessing at the gate.

The daily flights are scheduled below:

HONOLULU-LANA’I

Flight Route Departs Arrivesย ย  Start Date
HA612 HNL-LNY 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. March 18, 2014
HA616 HNL-LNY 2:40 p.m. 3:10 p.m. March 18, 2014

LANA’I-HONOLULU

Flight Route Departs Arrives Start Date
HA613 LNY-HNL 10:40 a.m. 11:10 a.m. March 18, 2014
HA617 LNY-HNL 3:50 p.m. 4:20 p.m. March 18, 2014

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. ATR 42-500 N804HC (msn 623) operated by Empire Airlines taxies at Honolulu.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian:ย AG Slide Show

 

Hawaiian Airlines to reinstate nonstop San Jose-Honolulu service

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) today announced that it will reinstate its daily San Jose service beginning on May 16, 2014. In addition, the airline will also be up-gauging the aircraft on its Oakland route to the 294-seat Airbus A330-200, adding a total of 60 more seats each day, beginning June 18, 2014.

Hawaiian Airlines currently offers daily nonstop service between Oakland and both Honolulu and Kahului, Maui. The airline previously announced that new seasonal summer service between Oakland and both Lihu’e, Kaua’i and Kona, Hawai’i Island will commence this June, connecting all four main Hawaiian Islands to Northern California.

Daily San Jose-Honolulu Schedule

Daily nonstop service between San Jose and Honolulu will be operated on Hawaiian Airlines’ wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft with the following schedule:

Flight Route Departs Arrives Aircraft Start Date
HA 44 HNL-SJC 2:20 p.m. 10:30 p.m. Boeing 767-300ER May 16, 2014
HA 43 SJC-HNL 10:10 a.m. 12:35 p.m. Boeing 767-300ER May 17, 2014

Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 767 aircraft seats 264 passengers in a two-class cabin, with 18 in Business Class and 246 in the Main Cabin. Amenities include personal electronic tablets available for purchase.

Daily Oakland-Honolulu Schedule

Daily service between Oakland and Honolulu will continue with slightly adjusted times beginning June 18, 2014:

Flight Route Departs Arrives Aircraft Start Date
HA 48 HNL-OAK 2:10 p.m. 10:25 p.m. Airbus 330-200 June 18, 2014
HA 47 OAK-HNL 10:00 a.m. 12:20 p.m. Airbus 330-200 June 19, 2014

Travelers to and from Oakland will enjoy Hawaiian Airlines’ A330 amenities, highlighted by the personal on-demand entertainment system at each seat, increased legroom, and a roomy interior. With high-resolution LCD touch-screen monitors in each seatback, the A330’s state-of-the-art entertainment system lets customers choose from a wide range of movies, TV programs, music, and video games, while also offering a USB port for the use of their own personal media players.

Adding to the enjoyment of the travel experience on Hawaiian Airlines is the carrier’s signature onboard hospitality program,ย Mea Ho’okipaย (translation: I am host). Travelers will enjoy island-style complimentary meals and made-in-Hawai’i snacks to go along with Hawaiian Airlines’ engaging presentation of the islands’ culture, people and Aloha Spirit throughout the flight.

Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-3CB ER N592HA (msn 33468) prepares to touch in Las Vegas.

Hawaiian Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

‘Ohana by Hawaiian starts operations

Ohana by Hawaiian-Empire ATR 42-500 N804HC (13)(Grd-1) HNL (IN)(LRW) 3.11.14

‘Ohana by Hawaiian (Honolulu), Hawai’i’s newest interisland operation, yesterday (March 11) launched its inaugural turboprop service to Moloka’i, the first of two islands it will return to the Hawaiian Airlines network. Twice daily service between Honolulu and Lana’i will be launched on March 18.

The arrival of flight HA 614 into Moloka’i Airport was followed by a cultural exchange featuring an oli kahea (chant of admission) presented by Hawaiian Airlines and ‘Ohana by Hawaiian staff asking for permission to enter the community, and an oli aloha (chant of welcome) from the Hawaiian language immersion students of Punana Leo o Moloka’i and ‘O Hina i ka Malama, and the seniors of Alu Like, Inc.’s Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna. Remarks were given by renowned Hilo-based artist Sig Zane, who designed the livery of the aircraft; Tim Komberec, president and chief executive officer of Empire Airlines; Moloka’i Senator Kalani English, chair of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs; Stacy Crivello, Maui County council member; Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines president and chief executive officer; and Hadden Watt, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian managing director.

The festivities also included a lu’au with nearly 500 Moloka’i residents in attendance, live Hawaiian entertainment, tours of the aircraft and a blessing prior to the departure of flight HA 615 to Honolulu.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian will offer three daily flights between Honolulu and Moloka’i using a 48-seat ATR 42 aircraft. The daily flights, operated by Empire Airlines, are scheduled below:

HONOLULU-MOLOKA’I

Flight Route Departs Arrivesย ย  Start Date
HA610 HNL-MKK 7:00 a.m. 7:25 a.m. March 12, 2014
HA614 HNL-MKK 12:15 p.m. 12:40 p.m. March 12, 2014
HA618 HNL-MKK 5:30 p.m. 5:55 p.m. March 11, 2014

MOLOKA’I-HONOLULU

Flight Route Departs Arrives Start Date
HA611 MKK-HNL 8:05 a.m. 8:30 a.m. March 12, 2014
HA615 MKK-HNL 1:20 p.m. 1:45 p.m. March 11, 2014
HA619 MKK-HNL 6:35 p.m. 7:00 p.m. March 11, 2014

ย 
HONOLULU-LANA’I

Flight Route Departs Arrivesย ย  Start Date
HA612 HNL-LNY 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. March 18, 2014
HA616 HNL-LNY 2:40 p.m. 3:10 p.m. March 18, 2014

LANA’I-HONOLULU

Flight Route Departs Arrives Start Date
HA613 LNY-HNL 10:40 a.m. 11:10 a.m. March 18, 2014
HA617 LNY-HNL 3:50 p.m. 4:20 p.m. March 18, 2014

The livery of ‘Ohana by Hawaiian’s aircraft was created by Sig Zane and his son Kuha’o, who both used Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland route map as inspiration for the design, weaving three kapa patterns:ย pikoย (navel), representing ancestry and progeny;ย manuย (bird), representing both a bird in flight and the prow of a canoe, the traditional form of migration; andย kaloย (taro), representing family. The ATR 42 aircraft are named after a significant wind on each of the islands that ‘Ohana by Hawaiian will serve:ย Holo Kaomiย of Paoma’i, Lana’i;ย Kaiauluย of Wai’anae, O’ahu; andย Hikipuaย 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 new service operates out of gates 49 and 50 at Honolulu International Airport.

Hawaiian Airlines last flew to Moloka’i and Lana’i in 2004, operating on a Boeing 717-200 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group/AirlinersGallery.com. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian’s N804HC (msn 623) operated by Empire Airlines (Idaho) is pictured starting to taxi out as flight HA 614 to MKK on its first flight.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian:ย AG Slide Show

Hawaiian Airlines to suspend flights to Taipei in April, will start service to Beijing

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced plans to suspend its thrice-weekly service to Taipei, Taiwan in April and reassign that routeโ€™s 294-seat Airbus 330-200 aircraft to its nonstop service to Seoul, South Korea, which will operate five times per week.

Up-gauging to the newer A330-200 aircraft will provide South Korean passengers with enhanced amenities including in-seat in-flight entertainment throughout the aircraft and the airlineโ€™s newย Extra Comfortย preferred seating product. The new aircraft will be available on all flights to Incheon International Airport from April 23, 2014.

ย Hawaiian logo

Hawaiian Airlines flight HA 807 will operate its final flight from Honolulu to Taipei on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Return Flight HA808 will operate for the final time on Monday, April 7, 2014 from Taipei to Honolulu. Hawaiian Airlinesโ€™ reservations department will be contacting passengers booked to fly after that date to accommodate them on other airlines.

Also in April, Hawaiian Airlines will launch thrice-weekly service to Beijing, China, subject to government approval, its 10thย international gateway launched since November 2010. The airline has also scheduled new nonstop summer service from Los Angeles and Oakland, California to Kona, Hawaiโ€˜i Island and Lฤซhuโ€˜e, Kauaโ€˜i.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Airbus A330-243 N382HA (msn 1171) climbs away from the Honolulu hub.

Hawaiian Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

Route Map:

Hawaiian 3.2014 Route Map

Hawaiian to drop the Fukuoka, Japan route

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced it will suspend its daily service to Fukuoka this summer.ย ย Hawaiian Airlines flight HA 453 will make its final trip from Honolulu to Fukuoka on June 29, 2014, and HA 454 will make its final return from Fukuoka to Honolulu on June 30, 2014.

Passengers with reservations to fly after June 30 will be re-accommodated. The airlineโ€™s reservations department will be contacting affected passengers in the next several weeks. The airline will continue to accept reservations for travel between Honolulu and Fukuoka prior to June 30, 2014.

The Fukuoka daily service was launched on April 16, 2012.ย ย Hawaiian Airlines also provides daily service to Tokyo and Osaka, and thrice-weekly service to Sendai and Sapporo.

Fukuoka was the third destination in Japan, following Tokyo (November 2010) and Osaka (July 2011).

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 N382HA (msn 1171) taxies at Los Angeles.

Hawaiian Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

SilkAir introduces a new brand campaign with its first Boeing 737-800

SilkAir (Singapore) introduced its first Boeing 737-800 into revenue service yesterday (February 20) with the 737-8SA 9V-MGA (man 44217). The carrier is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The subsidiary of Singapore Airlines has also rolled out a new brand campaign emphasizing its full-service amenities. The carrier issued this statement:

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has launched a new brand campaign that looks to rekindle the joy of flying. Moving away from the idea of travel as being purely transactional, the campaign focuses on how Asiaโ€™s most awarded regional carrier creates journeys worth taking by offering customers a seamless and enjoyable travel experience at all times.

From check-in to touch down, the full-service carrier caters to the needs of the well-travelled global customer, providing comfort and convenience to those looking to explore Asiaโ€™s newest frontiers. Titled โ€˜A Joy to Flyโ€™, the campaign redefines true value for the discerning traveller, emphasising and bringing to life the many benefits that SilkAir offers through a set of distinctive icons that feature across all the ads.

Having established its personable and warm in-flight service in its previous campaign โ€˜Feel at Home in the Airโ€™, SilkAir aims to further differentiate itself and cement its positioning as a full-service carrier. The new regional campaign presents a visual display of a range of these benefits, including 30kg and 40kg baggage allowance for Economy and Business class respectively, inflight meals, reliable flight schedule, the KrisFlyer frequent flyer programme and through check-in service. Additionally, a wireless inflight entertainment system that is currently on trial will progressively be rolled out from Q2 2014. This new system will allow for free wireless streaming of blockbuster hits, short features as well as chart-topping music to customersโ€™ laptops and personal handheld devices, keeping them entertained throughout the flight.

โ€œSilkAir has always endeavoured to deliver a flying experience that is enjoyable and assuring, by placing our customersโ€™ needs at the forefront of our product offerings. With the aim of celebrating the joy of flying, our new campaign is a reflection of the commitment and effort that goes into ensuring that every single detail โ€“ from the check-in process to entertainment and meals on-board โ€“ makes it a joy for customers to fly with SilkAir,โ€ said SilkAirโ€™s Vice President, Commercial, Mr. Ryan Pua.

Beyond functional benefits, the campaign also illustrates the joy of flying by highlighting SilkAirโ€™s extensive network of 47 exotic destinations around the region, as well as the seamless connectivity between Singapore Airlines and SilkAir that customers can enjoy.

Created in conjunction with SilkAirโ€™s 25thย anniversary and the delivery of the airlineโ€™s first Boeing 737-800, the campaign is set to run on print, out-of-home and digital platforms. The advertisements are currently on display at City Hall MRT station platforms.

To mark the launch of the campaign, SilkAir will also hold an online contest where fans can either visit silkair.com/ajoytofly or scan the QR code located below each aircraft window on the City Hall MRT platform to stand a chance to fly to their dream destination on SilkAirโ€™s new Boeing planes by voting for their top 3 dream destinations. The contest closes on March 13, 2014, with 12 Economy Class return tickets up for grabs.

On top of dressing the airlineโ€™s first Boeing 737-800 in a specially designed livery to commemorate its silver anniversary, SilkAir will also be rewarding its customers with special promotional deals later this month, with 250,000 tickets made available at special rates for customers in Singapore and across the region.

The number of destinations includes two new destinations, Kalibo and Mandalay, which will be launched on May 27, 2014 and June 10, 2014 respectively.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Brand new Boeing 737-8SA 9V-MGA passes through Honolulu on its delivery routing on February 10, 2014.

Video:

SilkAir:ย AG Slide Show

Island Air to drop Molokai, Ohana by Hawaiian steps in

Island Air (Honolulu) will discontinue all passenger service to the island of Molokai and redeploy the ATR 72 to another route starting on April 1 per the Star Advertiser.

The decision was probably influenced by the plans of Ohana by Hawaiian to serve the route starting on March 11 from Honolulu.

Island Air now only serves three routes from Honolulu.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Freshly repainted ATR 72-210 N342AT (msn 345) displays the new 2014 livery at the Honolulu base.

Island Air:ย AG Slide Show

Route Map:

Island Air 1.2014 Route Map

Island Air introduces a new “pineapple” color scheme

Island Air (Hawaii) (Honolulu) has introduced a new colorful livery. The first aircraft to wear the new livery is this former American Eagle-Executive Airlines ATR 72-210 registered as N342AT (msn 345). The turboprop is named “Lana’i”. This new look replaces the short-lived 2012 “Lei” color scheme. N342AT was painted this month on the mainland.

Oracle Corporation’sย CEOย Larry Ellisonย acquired most of the island of Lanai fromย David H. Murdock.ย On February 26, 2013, Island Air announced the sale of the airline to Ellison.ย Ellison appointed Paul Casey, former CEO of Hawaiian Airlines and President of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau as the company’s new President and CEO. Casey has trimmed routes and settled on the ATR 72 to serve its routes in Hawaii.

The island airline issued this statement:

Island Air has introduced its new logo. The new symbol for the airline is the native โ€˜iโ€˜iwi bird, which was prized by the Hawaiian aliโ€˜i.

 

โ€œThe new logo is part of our companyโ€™s restructuring to align ourselves with an improved and enhanced level of service,โ€ said Island Air CEO Paul Casey. โ€œIt symbolizes a revitalized company with deep roots in Hawaiสปi and a strong commitment to the community and our customers.โ€

 

Signage with the new logo has already been installed at airport ticket counters in Honolulu, Lฤซhuสปe, Kahului, Lฤnaโ€˜i and Molokaโ€˜i. The new logo will be phased in over the next several months, and also be reflected in Island Airโ€™s digital and print communications, collateral, vehicles, and on the airlineโ€™s ATR 72 64-seater aircraft.

 

The โ€˜iโ€˜iwi bird is a species of the Hawaiian honeycreeper found on the islands of Hawaiโ€˜i, Oโ€˜ahu, Maui and Kauaโ€˜i. It holds a special place in Hawaiian culture. One of Hawaiสปiโ€™s most beautiful birds, the สปiสปiwi was prized by Hawaiiansย for its striking vermillion feathers, which were used to make feather capes, helmets and other symbols of Hawaiian royalty.

 

Island Air also announced its support of The Nature Conservancy, by joining the Hawaiสปi Nature Conservancyโ€™s Corporate Council, for the Environment, as a Corporate Conservator. Island Airโ€™s donation will be used as part of The Nature Conservancyโ€™s efforts to protect and preserve the native habitat of the iโ€™iwi, a threatened indigenous Hawaiสปi species, found in Nature Conservancy preserves on Maui, Kauaสปi and Hawaiสปi Island.

 

โ€œThe Nature Conservancy is devoted to protecting Hawaiiโ€™s native forest habitat for all native species of animals and plants including the โ€˜iโ€˜iwi,โ€ said Suzanne Case, The Nature Conservancyโ€™s Hawaiสปi executive director.ย  โ€œNot only are these forest areas critical to the survival of Hawaiสปiโ€™s globally unique creatures, they are also the source of all the fresh water for our islands.ย  We are thrilled and grateful to welcome Island Air into the Conservancyโ€™s distinguished roster of sponsors from the business community.โ€

 

The new logo was designed by Wall-to-Wall Studios in Honolulu.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. N342AT shines on the ramp at the Honolulu International Airport after its long ferry flight from the mainland.

Island Air (Hawaii):ย AG Slide Show

Island Air logo

Current Route Map: Island Air has scaled back its operations since the Larry Ellison takeover.

Island Air 1.2014 Route Map

Air China arrives in Hawaii

Airย China (Beijing) yesterday (January 20) celebrated the start of itsย Beijingย –ย Hawaiiย service with a ceremony held at T3 of Beijing Capital International Airport. In attendance were the invitees from U.S. Embassy inย China, Beijing Capital International Airport Customs, Beijing General Station of Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection, Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd. as well as Air China’s executives. At the ceremony, dancers fromย Hawaiiย treated the audience to the distinctive Hula dance, which is a showcase ofย Hawaii’sindigenous culture, and presented garlands to the invited guests on stage, giving the occasion a rich tropical feel.

The new service, CA 837/8, is the first nonstop air link betweenย Beijingย andย Hawaii. It’s operated three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday with wide body Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The outbound flight departs from Beijingย at 1330 Beijingย time and arrives inย Honolulu at 1630 local time. The return flight takes off fromย Honolulu at 2200 local time and arrives inย Beijingย at 0520ย Beijingย time on the next day.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 B-6070 (msn 750) arrives back to the Beijing hub and base.

Air China:ย AG Slide Show

Makani Kai Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashes into the water off of Molokai’s north shore, one dead

Makani Kai Air (Makani Kai Helicopters) (Honolulu) Cessna 208B Gran Caravan N687MA (msn 1002) (above) carrying eight passengers and a pilot crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the north shore of Molokai, Hawaii yesterday afternoon. State Health Department Director Loretta Fuddy died in the ditching. The single engine Caravan had departed from Kalaupapa bound for the Honolulu base.

According to the charter airline the company has been “providing air charter, air tours, aircraft management and aircraft maintenance since 1988”.

The airline specializes in aerial tours of Molokai from other points in Hawaii. Here is the information on this “Kalaupapa Experience” tour from the airline’s website:

Makani Kai Air Kalaupapa Experience

Read the full story from the Star Advertiser in Honolulu: CLICK HERE

Dramatic video of the Caravan ditching:

Video of a typical Molokai aerial tour:

Top Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. The ill-fated Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N687MA (msn 1002) taxies at Honolulu on October 25, 2013 (all others by Makani Kai Air).

Makani Kai Air logo