Hawaiian Airlines Launches All-Cargo Neighbor Island Service

PC: Hawaiian Airlines, neighbor island cargo service.

Hawaiian Airlines today celebrated the launch of all-cargo service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Līhu‘e Airport and Hilo International Airport.

As part of the service launch, the airline transported construction and household supplies to support disaster relief projects in Hanalei on Kaua‘i and Puna on the Island of Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian’s new ATR-72 aircraft was loaded with 1,020 pounds of construction tools bound for Līhu‘e to be used by Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity in repairing homes for low-income residents affected by last April’s devastating storms.

A second flight to Hilo carried 1,815 pounds of furniture for 20 micro-houses built by HOPE Services Hawai‘i to shelter families affected by the ongoing Kīlauea volcano lava flow.

Steven Ai, President of City Mill, and Peter Ingram, President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. PC: 8.13.18 Hawaiian Airlines

The items were packed by employees at City Mill, which augmented Hawaiian’s list with its own donations. Also aboard the flight from Honolulu to Hilo were 23 boxes of school supplies collected by Hawaiian employees and being delivered to Pāhoa Elementary.

“We are honored to utilize our new cargo operation to help support our neighbors in need,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “We couldn’t think of a better partner in this effort than City Mill, another long-time kamaʻāina company.”

“My grandfather liked to quote an old Chinese saying: ‘When you drink water, remember the source,’” said Steven Ai, City Mill president and CEO. “Our success comes from the community and even though we’re not on the islands of Kaua‘i or the Big Island, we believe we need to help all those who live in the state of Hawai‘i.”

The Līhu‘e shipment expands Hawaiian’s partnership with Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity, established with an initial $25,000 cash donation after torrential storms displaced residents on Kaua‘i earlier this spring. The new partnership with HOPE Services Hawai‘i builds on Hawaiian’s earlier contribution of $50,000 to support the Salvation Army’s emergency shelters set up in Puna in the wake of Kīlauea’s recent eruption.

ATR72 Being Loaded with Donations. PC: Hawaiian Airlines 8.13.18

“We are so grateful for the generosity of Hawaiian Airlines and City Mill,” said Stephen Spears, executive director of Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity. “We provided a long ‘wish list’ of materials, from face masks to jig saws, and we can’t wait to unpack the boxes and continue making critical home repairs during the long road to recovery island wide.”

“We appreciate the support of Hawaiian Airlines and City Mill in their donation of supplies that will be used to furnish the temporary emergency micro-shelters in the Puna community,” said Brandee Menino, chief executive offer of HOPE Services Hawai‘i.