ALOHA AIR CARGO BLESSES NEW MAUI CARGO FACILITY

Aloha Air Cargo held a blessing ceremony at its new air cargo facility in Kahului today.  The new location allows shippers easier access to the facility. It also provides a covered facility for the storage of fresh produce and other items that await loading onto outgoing planes.

Mike Malik (left) and Kahu Alika (center) shake hands as Eric Van Andel (right) looks on from behind. Photo by Wendy OSHER © 2009

An Aloha Air Cargo plane was loaded today with 1,200 pounds of Maui Gold pineapple that is being donated to the Hawaii Food Bank on Oahu. Photo courtesy Bennet Group.

The event was marked with the transport of 1,200 pounds (45 cases) of Maui Gold pineapple that will be donated to the Hawaii Foodbank on Oahu-representing a symbol of hospitality and an endorsement of sustainability.

“The opening of this new facility imparts tremendous opportunity for Aloha Air Cargo, as it provides us with more room and a better layout for our Maui operations, which ultimately allows us to better serve our customers,” said Mike Malik, president of Aloha Air Cargo.

Approximately $1 million went towards the interior construction of the new Kahului cargo facility, which houses approximately 60 shift employees that handle cargo from 15 flights arriving or departing daily.  Diana Kekuewa is the ground operations manager for the Maui facility, which officially began operations in mid-April.  The new facility also provides cargo handling services for Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and American Airlines.

“Aloha Air Cargo’s generous allocation of time and money for the new Kahului Cargo Facility is a testament to its allegiance in improving the welfare of Maui residents and Hawaii as a whole,” said State Senator J. Kalani English, chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Aloha Air Cargo employee Mary Lu’uwai greets Lana’i Councilman Sol Kahoohalahala, one of the many dignitaries who attended the cargo facility blessing. Photo by Wendy OSHER.

Today’s festivities included a traditional Hawaiian blessing, conducted by Kahu Alika, of the Keawalai Congregational Church in Makena.

About Aloha Air Cargo
Headquartered in Honolulu, Aloha Air Cargo delivers fast, economical and reliable transport of goods between the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Island of Hawaii.  It became an independent cargo operator after the closure of Aloha Airlines passenger services in May 2008.  Aloha Air Cargo is owned by Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources, which has been doing business in Hawaii since 2000 when it acquired Young Brothers/Hawaiian Tug & Barge.  Committed to the welfare of Hawaii and strengthening the local economy, the company also acquired Hawaii Fuel Network, Maui Petroleum and Minit Stop Stores in 2006.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009, photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009)