Hawaii’s interisland travel faced significant disruption today as a small but key carrier grounded all flights due to “maintenance” issues. We received notice from the state Department of Transportation about this temporary pause at Mokulele Airlines, described as being taken out of “an abundance of caution,” leaving passengers stranded and raising fresh concerns about the reliability of some interisland air travel.
Interisland flights by Mokulele are a vital lifeline for Hawaii residents and visitors, providing essential connections to the smaller islands like Molokai and Lanai. The unexpected halt has left many scrambling for alternatives while questions linger about how long these disruptions will last and what caused them.
Travelers are left with uncertainty and waiting for answers.
The sudden halt in operations has created problems for travelers with time-sensitive plans, as it remains unclear what caused the issue or when flights will resume. Many passengers have already taken to social media and online forums to voice their frustrations, with some noting they were left entirely without clear communication from the airline about rebooking options or timelines.
One traveler shared, “I missed an important meeting because of this. There were no updates…” Stories like these are becoming all too familiar for interisland travelers who rely on flights for everything from business to family commitments.
Mokulele has advised passengers to contact customer service at (808) 495-4188 or (866) 260-7070 for assistance. However, many have reported long wait times and limited clarity on the next steps to pursue.
Maintenance groundings aren’t new at Mokulele.
This latest disruption adds to a history of operational challenges. Last year, the same airline grounded part of its fleet for three days, citing maintenance discrepancies. The incident raised concerns about the carrier’s overall reliability and whether it has the resources to maintain consistent service.
Frequent delays, cancellations, and sudden grounding events highlight a troubling pattern that has infuriated passengers of the otherwise fun-to-fly airline. Maintenance is critical for safety, but these recurring issues suggest deeper systemic problems. For travelers, planning interisland trips now comes with added uncertainty.
Cindi commented recently about the state of Hawaii interisland flights, saying, “I am concerned about inter-island flights. Only Hawaiian, Southwest, and Mokulele offer (them). And Molulele’s planes are small. Will there be fewer flights?” While Kirk said, “Mokulele Airlines is neither reliable and becoming unaffordable.”
Susie commented supporting Mokulele, saying, “OMG– I Love Mokulele!! I live on the east side of BI, but my family is on Maui. I ALWAYS fly Mokulele from MUE (Waimea) to OGG as No parking fees, No TSA, and always friendly, helpful staff.”
David raised broader concerns. Many others have also seconded: “Mokulele Airlines should not be an operator as they have not helped the locals with an affordable means of travel between Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Current round-trip fares average $220 per person. Additionally, schedules aren’t dependable, mostly due to mechanical breakdowns. Being the only public airlines to Molokai and Lanai (monopoly), they can charge whatever fares they choose. Passengers don’t have any alternatives.”
Ownership and history of the airline.
Mokulele Airlines, a long-time vital link in Hawaii’s interisland travel, is owned by Southern Airways Express. The airline became part of Southern Airways in 2019, which then merged with Surf Air Mobility in 2023. This merger aimed to expand operations and leverage advanced technologies, but operational and financial challenges have persisted or been exacerbated.
Initially founded in 1994, Mokulele has long served Hawaii’s smaller communities, particularly on Molokai and Lanai, where reliable air service is essential. The airline has faced periods of both growth and turbulence, including fleet expansions and operational hurdles, which continue to shape its current state of affairs.
Southern Airways Express itself has faced recent scrutiny, including an FAA fine for operating flights with an unqualified co-pilot. These challenges, rising operational costs, and limited resources have pressured Mokulele to maintain consistent and reliable service in Hawaii.
Impacts on interisland connectivity.
The grounding disproportionately impacts smaller islands like Molokai and Lanai, where options for travel are already too limited. These islands depend heavily on reliable air service for critical needs, including medical appointments, education, and business.
Residents on Molokai expressed concerns about the broader implications of losing dependable air travel. “We’re already isolated enough—this makes it even harder to feel connected,” said one resident. The disruption impacts itineraries for visitors, potentially deterring future travel to these unique destinations.
Calls for needed transparency.
Passengers and industry observers want more transparency from the airline. While safety is the top priority, the lack of communication about specific issues and timelines has undermined confidence in the carrier’s ability to recover from multiple setbacks.
Questions about the root cause of these maintenance problems, including today’s, remain unanswered. Is this an isolated issue, or does it point to broader operational challenges? Without clear communication, speculation will only grow, further eroding trust among passengers.
Broader implications for Hawaii air travel.
This disruption highlights a bigger issue: the fragility of Hawaii’s interisland travel network. Reliable and competitive air service is essential for residents and visitors, yet ongoing challenges suggest the system is stretched thin. Rising operational costs, fluctuating passenger demand, and limited competition have all contributed to the current state of interisland travel.
Airlines serving Hawaii face unique challenges, including maintaining small fleets and servicing isolated routes. However, travelers have increasingly voiced concerns about whether these carriers are adequately equipped to meet the state’s needs. The latest grounding serves as a reminder of how quickly disruptions can ripple across the islands.
What travelers can do.
For those impacted by this latest flight disruption, there are steps you can take to minimize inconvenience. Contact the airline as soon as possible to attempt rebooking or a refund. If your travel plans are time-sensitive, consider booking with another carrier (if possible) or exploring charter services first, then attempting to obtain a refund via Mokulele or your credit card company.
For future trips, monitor airline updates and stay informed about potential service changes at Mokulele. In an environment where airline operational challenges seem to increase, proactive planning is more important than ever.
Do you fly Mokulele Airlines?
Lead Photo Credit: Beat of Hawaii on Lanai at Three Sisters.
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Bring back the seaflight hydro. Boats or the Super ferry.
What I find most frustrating is having doctor appointments at speciality clinics that Molokai does not have. One of the things I did was change all my speciality clinics from Honolulu to Maui. So a huge change in doctors and not using the Queen’s medical system. Because Maui flights rarely use the bigger planes, fewer flights are cancelled as only the small planes are used. I have had night flights cancelled. Once a 7:50 pm flight was cancelled at 8:20 pm. People had to scramble to find a place to sleep. I was lucky that family put me up. But, the first flight out was delayed and then it turned around and we had to change planes. I had to call in sick at work as a result. So it is difficult to plan ahead for unreliable flights. Once I had a trip to another country scheduled. To make sure I made my connections I booked two reservations, one the day before my international flight. The second was the day of the flight. I stayed at a hotel the day before and got out on time.
Let’s say the quiet part out loud first. Small fish, big pond. Expensive to operate. “Aircraft inspections” is rather vague. Is it because one or more planes failed an inspection? Not enough inspectors? Why the whole fleet? Smaller aircraft need TLC. Lots of it. I am hoping it is not a systemic issue. But this isn’t the first time. I love Mokulele Airlines. If you fly between islands you feel like you are getting a ‘scenic flight’ thrown in as a bonus to your travel. In fact we have flown round trip Maui to Kona same day just for sightseeing on the Big Island. The ‘personal’ and up close flight was one of the most fun legs of the day.
I fly with Mokulele and appreciate the airlines with their hiccups and all.
Genuine flying, part of the experience. Be prepared to have these things happen, then it wont be an issue.
Mahalo nui loa