HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Part of Mokulele Airlines’ fleet remained grounded for a second day Sunday after the airline said it discovered discrepancies in the maintenance of one aircraft’s landing gear.
Mokulele is the only commercial airline serving the islands of Lanai and Molokai.
The airline has not provided any information on how many flights have been cancelled or how many aircraft in its fleet have to remain grounded, as the situation is “fluctuating”.
In the meantime, the company is relying on the help of air freight providers to get people home.
With Mokulele’s 28-seater aircraft and some of its smaller Cessna Caravans out of service, Transair aircraft are now being called in to help.
“We were able to take 24 passengers on board and bring them home. I think everyone is grateful,” said Molokai resident Andrea Dudoit.
Dudoit says she was originally scheduled to leave Honolulu for Molokai at 6 a.m. Sunday, but received a text message around 11 p.m. Saturday saying her flight had been canceled.
She said that in the middle of the night she found out that the airline could offer her a Transair flight for 9 a.m.
A similar story befell another couple from Molokai who arrived in Honolulu on Saturday after a visit to the east coast and learned that their flight had also been canceled.
“We have been away for almost a month and want to go home,” the couple said.
At 3 a.m. on Sunday they were told they could catch a flight at noon.
“We’re grateful that they’re trying, but this isn’t the first time. It’s an ongoing process. You take a risk by leaving the island on time and coming back on time,” said one Molokai resident.
Mokulele hopes to restore full service by Tuesday and says it will reimburse affected customers for hotel and meal costs.
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