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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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A community meeting set up by ASC will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center.
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.
The class on AARP Driver Safety will be held at Mitchell Pauole Center from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. Those who are interested in joining the class can call Gladys Brown at 553-5375 to attend the class. A fee of $12 for members will be charged, including a manual of important traffic regulations. Many insurance companies, especially the Hartford Auto Insurance, give a discount for those who complete the course and present the certificate. The instructor is Peggy Haake of Maui. The AARP is responsible for all information given. Please call as soon as possible so that materials can be ordered for the class.
Community Contributed
By Gladys Brown
AARP is scheduling a Driving Safety class at the Mitchell Pauole Center conference room on Saturday, Oct. 22 beginning at 8 a.m. The class will be taught by Peggy Haake of the AARP Maui Chapter. She has been teaching this class as a volunteer for the past five years. This four-hour meeting will consist of valuable traffic information for all drivers. If you have Hartford Auto Insurance from AARP you will pay $12 for the class fee. The completion certificate will entitle you to a discount on your insurance for three years. If you have other insurance you may call them for information on their discounts. Non-members who are interested will pay $14.
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