In a move that says everything about how fragile Hawaii’s lifeline has become, the state just offered to pay federal air-traffic controllers and TSA screeners assigned to Hawaii during the government shutdown. It’s not about being generous, but about survival, in a last-minute attempt to keep the islands connected. The FAA now plans to cut flights by up to 10% before Thanksgiving, and industry briefings suggest that 15% may now be on the table.
It’s an extraordinary gesture that reveals something deeper. The state that sells paradise has now offered to pay the federal government to maintain full flight schedules in Hawaii. That’s not clever crisis management. It’s a reminder of how fragile Hawaii’s lifeline has become.
When paradise runs on mainland payroll.
Every few years, something comes along to inform Hawaii that it isn’t really in control of its own destiny. COVID did it. The Lahaina fire did it. Now, a political standoff in Washington has done it yet again.
It will come as no surprise that Hawaii imports about 85% of its food and nearly all its goods by ship or plane. Cargo on flights moves mail, medicine, and produce to and between islands every day. When air traffic slows, there’s no highway, rail, or backup route. Everything depends on federal workers helping keep Hawaii moving.
Hawaii’s isolation used to be a source of magic. It’s also a liability.
This isn’t just about geography. It’s also about dependence on air traffic.
No other state would have to make this offer. California wouldn’t pay federal salaries to keep LAX open. New York doesn’t fund JFK’s air-traffic control. Only Hawaii, 2,500 miles from the nearest mainland city, has to attempt negotiating for something the rest of America takes for granted for its very survival.
Hawaii now hopes to pay to keep planes flying.
State transportation director Ed Sniffen sent a letter (the complete letter is embedded below) to the U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday, offering to advance the full pay and benefits of federal air-traffic controllers and TSA staff based in Hawaii during the shutdown. The FAA has ordered a phased reduction in flight operations nationwide, with a target of 15% by mid-November.
DOT’s Sniffen warned that such cuts would devastate small businesses, cancel bookings, and trigger layoffs across the islands. Tourism still supports one in four Hawaii jobs, and even a slight reduction in flights ripples through every layer of the economy. For some residents, it isn’t about vacations at all; it’s medical treatments, transplants, or evacuations that depend on the same aircraft and crews now at risk.
In the short term, Hawaii’s offer might keep all of its planes moving. In the broader context, it reveals just how little control the islands have always had over their own skies.
What happens if Washington says no?
So far, there has been no response to the state’s offer, and it is unclear if one will be forthcoming. If Hawaii’s proposal is rejected, the FAA’s cuts will proceed as planned.
According to state data, visitor arrivals were already down 2.5% in September, well before any cuts began. A 15% reduction in air traffic would almost certainly deepen that slide and could take months or longer to recover.
For visitors, that could mean fewer flights and higher fares. For residents, it means higher prices for food, fuel, and medicine. These basics already cost more here than anywhere else. Either way, Hawaii pays.
Should Hawaii have to pay Washington to keep planes flying, or is this simply the new cost of paradise as we’ve built it?
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But I thought Hawaii wanted Fewer tourists. Isn’t that the reason for the new “tourist arrival tax?”
If accepted, this will directly improve the inter-island flights. Those are the lifelines to people that have to go to Oahu for legal, medical or other reasons that really are not optional. It will also alleviate any issues with international flights.
The problem on the flights to the continental US will still be affected by the closures at the other ends. So many flights go to the cities in California, Seattle and Portland. All are affected by the cuts too.
No Hawaii should not have to pay this. The money should be taken from the House and Senate Salaries. Sham on them. Collecting a salary when these people are required to work w/o a paycheck!!
Denver International Airport (DEN) just petitioned the FAA for permission to use airport revenue to pay its ATC during the shutdown. It is also reported that the airports CEO stated that DEN will seek reimbursement from the FAA once the shutdown ends. As of today no response has been received but it is clear that it isn’t only Hawaii suffering potential serious impacts regarding critical essential workers. DEN is also creating other essential support for federal employees working at the airport without pay.
As has been stated in these comments this is a national vulnerability which is not just an inconvenience but impacts all areas of our lives, not to mention national defense, business operations and critical medical systems and support. This is a National concern!
I’m not surprised at all. I would’ve done the same thing if I was governor. Hawaii really doesn’t have a choice the only viable way go get between islands right now is by air.
Hawaiʻi isn’t just a vacation postcard; it’s one of America’s strategic lifelines. From Indo-Pacific force posture to logistics & undersea cables, the islands knit together deterrence & daily life across the Pacific. When a federal funding lapse threatens FAA staffing or TSA throughput here, it’s not a local inconvenience—it’s a national vulnerability. Flights move troops, families, medevacs, food, fuel, mail, & parts that keep bases mission-ready. If air service slows or stops, shelves thin, operations slip, & resilience erodes. Hawaiʻi stepped up with state funds to keep controllers & screeners paid because we understand the stakes; Washington should, too. Protecting our air links protects warfighters, workers, small businesses, & communities. Failing to safeguard the system that feeds & equips the people who defend the nation isn’t just shortsighted—it’s “stupid.” Don’t make me run for office!
True. Plus: in the 19th century, the US reached out for territory in the Pacific to secure coaling & watering stations for its long distance interests, and secure supply chains from/to Asia. We got the Philippines, Guam, Am. Samoa – and Hawai`i for just those reasons. You’d think they might remember and give a reacharound to their friend in need…
I know little of how air traffic control works but the proposal as I read it would cover Hawaii based controllers but what about the mainland based which I would think are the ones dealing with take offs to Hawaii? While getting folks back to the mainland is certainly important, if fewer are arriving becasue of mainland issues it seems this has not solved the stated problem.
Bravo to Hawaii! Let’s hope our federal government agrees!
Careful what you wish for. The Gov’t. that runs our Islands isn’t in touch with reality. They have gotten several Head’s up that they need to do some work to get things more self sufficient. Long before COVID the alarm had gone out that a problem was in the works. Several groups started to see what they could do to make their towns somewhat self sufficient. Guess that has gone away. The people keep wanting to kick out the military, but if they had a good relationship with them the military can care for the locals in times of pilikia. Maybe Green’s rich friends can fly supplies in on their private jets.
Sniffen is to be commended for communicating to the Feds that Hawaii is vulnerable. What do the airlines say? Does a 10 to 15% decrease in flights significantly impact their ability to meet passenger and cargo demand or does it create an efficiency by maximizing the resulting capacity?
For inter-island flights this may work. Not mainland flights because the reciprocal airport does not have the same arrangement. I have a flight to PDX and Eugene next week. Watching anxiously.
Who do you trust more? The state of Hawaii in really paying for air traffic controllers in which Hawaii isn’t their employer or the federal government in believing they will cut 10% airport or government paid personnel to support safety concerns over overworked tired air controllers? Gee I noticed beat of Hawaii said nothing about the MD 11 UPS plane bound for Honolulu that crashed out of the Louisville Kentucky airport 2 days ago. Again who’s working for who?
Great Idea. Actually, other States do something similar. For example: Utah has an emergency contingency fund specifically for “government shutdowns” so that the State of Utah pays to keep it’s many awesome National Parks open & running, including hotels & restaurants. Likewise, Arizona does the same to keep the Grand Canyon National Park open during. When the “government shutdowns” are over, then these states get reimbursed from the Federal Government. Win/win. Of course, the best solution would be to never shut down the government in the first place. But that’s the current reality, so States must be proactive, creative, and “think outside of the box”.
Unfortunately for Arizona, that was under our previous Governor, and this one has spent the money elsewhere.
I was at the Grand Canyon 3 weeks ago, mid-government shutdown. It’s open, apparently with Park contingency funds, and not State funds, you are correct on that (vs. Utah). Also notable that Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is still open.
Great idea Hawaii. Pay a nickel to grab a buck. I’m sure you will make up the difference on the back end. Say again Hawaii isn’t dependent on tourism. Paying air traffic controllers and such don’t make them less tired. Don’t you know there is a shortage of them also. Oh Yeah I would hate to see a drop in overpriced holiday extreme priced trips to Hawaii this year.