Q: How did you first get interested in flying
planes?
A: My dream was to follow in the footsteps of my father, one of the
first interisland pilots to make the transition from DC3s to DC9s
with Hawaiian Airlines in 1969. I worked nights and took flying
lessons during the day for 11 months before earning my private
pilot’s license. I got my instrument and commercial certificates in
1996, and started offering Big Island air tours in 1998. Two years
ago I began providing interisland air service between Kona and
Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Q: Who else is involved in Mokulele?
A: My husband and our three children all take part. Our business
philosophy is based on the concept of ohana (family), so my
employees are a natural extension of my immediate family. We all
pull together to make each day at Mokulele a good one for our
customers and staff.
Q: You recently launched a fly/drive package. Why
now?
A: We’ve seen a growing demand from our travel partners, especially
the travel desks, for this sort of package. More people are looking
for alternate means of interisland travel. I want to provide them
with the best service at the best price possible and make
interisland travel fun and easy.
Q: How much does the new fly/drive package
cost?
A:Prices start at $236 per person, including roundtrip air and a
compact rental car for one day. Clients can fly early in the day,
pick up a car at the airport, tour our island and catch a
late-afternoon flight back to Maui or vice versa.
Q: Why would visitors want to fly on Mokulele instead of
one of the major interisland carriers?
A: Our interisland flights are quick, convenient and comfortable.
We’re located at the commuter terminal at the Kona and Kahului
airports, so passengers can check in just 30 minutes before flight
time, and there are no security lines. Clients get panoramic views
of the islands and, in season, they can even spot whales as they
fly between Kona and Maui. We are competitively priced and provide
personal service with lots of aloha.
Q: Interisland air travel has become more expensive in
recent years. Will it continue to be so? What’s your
prediction?
A: As long as fuel prices continue to increase, so will the expense
of travel, whether interisland or domestic.
