Hawaii Travel: Island Hopping with Island Air and Mokulele Airlines

Island Air
From Oahu’s international airport to Lana’i and from Moloka’i back to Oahu, we flew Island Air to Lana’i. The aircraft was a Dash 8 that seated less than 40 passengers, some tourists like ourselves and others returning home from island hopping.  The quick 30 minute flight was an easy one, once in the air you feel like you just get settled in with your local HoloHolo magazine when it’s time to prepare for landing.

There is just enough time to get one quick drink either water or guava juice while in flight, on the way to Lana’i we did get a quick briefing from the airline magazine of the island we were approaching.  The atmosphere was comfortable around us, locals chatted and asked questions of our visit, it felt like we were in the middle of a family reunion. Stewardess was kind and friendly and we ended being on her flight both times we flew.

Mokulele Airlines

Flying from Lana’i to Honolulu, then from Honolulu to Moloka’i, we flew Mokulele Airlines. Just when we thought our first inter-island flight was small, take a ride on the Cessna that seats 10 and where you are literally THIS close to the pilot….

If you’re a nervous flyer, the propeller on the plane may also make you nervous, but the 30 minute flight goes by in a flash.  No stewardess on this flight, nor drinks.

Starting April 15, 2012
Kona-based Mokulele Airlines today announced service between the islands of Lāna‘i and Maui, starting on April 15, 2012. Listening to their customers’ needs, the airline provider is “happy to follow through with providing affordable and needed flights,” said Ron Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of Mokulele Airlines. The airline, recently under new ownership, will provide one daily direct flight from Lāna‘i to Maui and two daily direct trips from Maui to Lāna‘i. The new flights have allowed for an additional morning flight from Lāna‘i (with a brief stop on Moloka‘i) to Honolulu.

Both flights were louder than a normal flight, it reminded me of my Florida by-plane ride, though we were completely enclosed and pressurized.  The airports in Lana’i and Moloka’i are easy to maneuver as they are so small (you don’t even have to go through security leaving Lana’i), but the transitions from the Honolulu airport are tricky so pay attention!!

My flights were covered by Lana’i and Moloka’i’s visitor’s bureaus.  My husbands flight plus our luggage charges were paid on our own, all opinions are our own.