Our February 2014 visit to Hawaii continued with a short commuter flight from Kahului (OGG) on Maui to Kona (KOA) on the island of Hawaii also known as the Big Island. In order to maximize our sightseeing time, we chose to fly after dark. We flew on a ten passenger Cessna Grand Caravan single-engine turboprop operated by Mokulele Airlines. This flight was operated out of the commuter terminal and not the main passenger terminal. This was by far the best flight of our trip even though we flew through a rain storm. Since the seating arrangement is one by one for each of the first four rows, everyone gets both a window and an aisle seat. The seats are oversized and included an automotive type lap and shoulder belt that was to remain belted during the entire flight. There were some unique differences for this flight, namely no flight attendant and no rest room facilities. However, the co-pilot explained all of the safety information from his cockpit seat. Electronic devices did not have to be turned off and stowed. Since the plane would not be flying over 10,000 feet, an emergency oxygen system was not required to be installed on the aircraft. Additionally, we did not have to go through the TSA baggage and physical screening requirements, but we did have to step on the scales with our carry-on luggage so the crew could balance the plane properly. The ground and air crews were both courteous and helpful. Instead of boarding by zones, our names were called as we lined up to walk out to the plane. The ground crew weighed the luggage and loaded it on the plane. We picked up our luggage plane-side instead. Finally, the flight was only about 45 minutes including a lazy circle while waiting for turbulence to clear after a jet made its approach and landing. Our cruising speed was just over 160 mph. The rental car company vans dropped us off about fifty feet from the gate in Kahului and picked us up about 100 yards from the gate at Kona.
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After missing a day on Maui due to airline ineptitude in getting our incoming flight to the gate and thus missing our connection in Chicago, Mokulele Airlines definitely put the enjoyment and wonder back in flying for us. If we find ourselves in the future needing to hop from one island to another in Hawaii, Mokulele will be at the top of our list.
The website for Mokulele Airlines is http://www.mokuleleairlines.com/.
