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Transportation

Makani Kai Begins Service to Kalaupapa

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Kalaupapa residents have a lot to celebrate at their airport this month. With air service into the peninsula now provided by Makani Kai Air Charters at a fraction of what residents were charged by Pacific Wings last year, patients and staff are now “traveling in large numbers,” according to Mark Miller, Department of Health (DOH) Kalaupapa administrator.

“It has changed the character of the community knowing we can come and go,” he said.

Makani Kai is providing regular twice-daily round trips from Honolulu and three round trips daily to topside Molokai – a service made affordable thanks to a federal subsidy awarded to the carrier in December.

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State to Update Molokai Community on Operations at Kaunakakai Harbor

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Governor's News Release

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Mokulele Airlines Cancel Flights Effective Immediately

Friday, December 9th, 2011

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced all Mokulele Airlines flights have been canceled until further notice effective immediately statewide. The suspension comes after the company found certain parts of the Cessna 208 may be faulty and require replacement. For ticketing questions, call 888-435-9462.

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American Safari Cruises Cancels Another Molokai Stop

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Statement from Dan Blanchard, CEO and principal at American Safari:

We are continuing to work with state, federal and local representatives in Hawaii on concerns brought forth in the last community meeting on Molokai.  In respect for the continuing discussions, the Safari Explorer yacht will not visit Moloka’i as planned on its next voyage, Dec. 16 and 17.  We are committed to our vendors and supporters on Molokai. We look forward to reaching a mutually agreeable resolution and our peaceful return to Molokai soon. Mahalo.

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Makani Kai to Provide Lower Airfare to Kalaupapa

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Richard Schuman, owner of air service provider Makani Kai, confirmed last week his company will begin providing lower-cost flights in and out of Kalaupapa later this month. The flights are possible thanks to a federal Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidy awarded to his company by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Schuman said one-way flights between Kalaupapa and Honolulu will be $125 plus applicable taxes, averaging less than $140 total. One-way flights between Kalaupapa and Ho`olehua will be $65 plus taxes, he said, averaging less than $75 total.

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Yacht Docking Canceled Last Weekend

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

The Safari Explorer passenger yacht did not dock last weekend as scheduled after more than 300 community members attended a public meeting last Wednesday night. Residents spoke both for and against the yacht’s Molokai stop, but enough voiced concerns, according to American Safari Cruises (ASC) owner Dan Blanchard, that he postponed the docking until the company could talk to more community members.

“We are committed to further dialogue and will respectfully work with leaders in the community,” Blanchard said in a statement Thursday.

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Yacht Docking Canceled This Weekend

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

American Safari Cruises (ASC) owner Dan Blanchard announced yesterday that the Safari Explorer yacht will not dock on Molokai as scheduled this weekend. The cancellation followed a community meeting Wednesday night, which was attended by over 300 residents.

While residents testified both for and against the yacht’s Molokai stop, Blanchard said enough residents voiced concerns that the company decided to postpone docking until the company could talk to more community members.

“We are committed to further dialogue and will respectfully work with leaders in the community,” Blanchard said via email Thursday.

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Kalaupapa Airfares to Drop

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Kalaupapa airfares should drop significantly in the coming month, according to a news release from the office of Senator Daniel Inouye. Makani Kai Air Charters was designated last week to provide federally subsidized service to and from the settlement for two years.

Patients and residents had been distraught over inconsistent service and high costs – averaging slightly more than $500 per round trip from the settlement – provided by Pacific Wings in recent years. Although the details of the upcoming schedule and cost per trip to Honolulu or topside Molokai are still in the works, Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller said the change should take effect within two to three weeks.

There has been “quite the buzz” about the news in the settlement, he said.

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Yacht Blocked by Protestors

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Yacht Blocked by Protestors

A group of protestors on small boats and surfboards physically blocked an American Safari Cruises’ (ASC) yacht, the Safari Explorer, from docking at Kaunakakai Wharf last Saturday morning.

to stop his cruises and sit down and talk to us,” said Ritte. “That was the deal from day one. We’re not going to give in.”

A community meeting set up by ASC will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center.

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DMV Rates Increase

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Community Contributed 

By Renee Montizor

Your Department of Motor Vehicles renewal notice for your vehicle registration looks very different. Please look for it carefully. You should receive your renewal notice 45 days before it expires. If you have not received your renewal notice or lost it, we can still renew your registration with the current registration on your vehicle. 

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