In light of last week’s surprise announcement by Alaska Airlines that it has acquired Hawaiian Airlines, we decided to take a look back at some of the Hawaiian airlines of yesteryear that are no longer with us.
Only one airline has truly stood the test of time in Hawaii – Hawaiian as a Hawaiian owned and operated airline. Others have come and gone, some barely making it into the annals of Hawaiian aviation history. Though Mokelele Airlines could possibly be on the honorable mention list as a much smaller carrier that has evolved and survived in various fashions over the years.
While many airlines fly to Hawaii today, let’s take a look at 11 Hawaiian market-focused airlines that no longer grace the skies of paradise.
1. Air Hawaii
One of the lesser-known chapters of Hawaiian aviation history is that of Air Hawaii. Although the name Air Hawaii had been used at least two times before, this iteration of the name was not related to either.
Founded by entrepreneur Michael Hartley (who would later co-found CheapTickets.com), this quirky carrier lasted less than three months.
Air Hawaii began operations in November 1985. Based at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), the carrier utilized two McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10s for service to the mainland. Air Hawaii operated flights between Honolulu and just two other cities – Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO).
Finding itself in almost immediate financial trouble, Air Hawaii abruptly shut down in February 1986.
Hartley also founded The Hawaii Express, another airline with a similar fate, which we will read about below (see #11). Interestingly, the two DC-10s operated by Air Hawaii were the two Hartley had used for The Hawaii Express.
2. Aloha Airlines
From one of the lesser-known chapters of Hawaiian aviation history to one of the most well-known: Aloha Airlines.
Founded in 1946, Aloha enjoyed a journey that spanned over six decades. Originally established as Trans-Pacific Airlines, the Honolulu-based carrier initially operated a fleet of nine Douglas DC-3 aircraft. The DC-3 was the backbone of the Aloha fleet through 1965.
Over the years, Aloha underwent several fleet transitions, experimenting with various aircraft types. During the 1960s, the carrier introduced six Fairchild F-27s and four Vickers Viscount 745Ds into the fleet. In the late 1960s, the jet age arrived at Aloha with the introduction of the BAC 1-11. However, it was the Boeing 737-200 that became synonymous with Aloha’s identity, earning the moniker “Funbird.” Operating interisland flights with the 737-200s and extending its reach to the mainland and trans-Pacific destinations with 737-700s, Aloha also operated 737-300/400s and, eventually, even a 737-800 in the late 2000s.
Aloha also operated one McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 for less than a year in the mid-1980s, opening the carrier up to routes such as Guam International Airport (GUM) and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taiwan.
Despite its successes, Aloha Airlines faced a tragic incident on 28 April 1988 when a Boeing 737-200, operating from Hilo International Airport (ITO) to Honolulu (HNL), experienced an explosive decompression at FL240. Miraculously, the skilled crew managed to land the aircraft safely on Maui, but the incident claimed the life of one flight attendant.
The 2000s saw a series of events that ultimately led to the demise of the once-storied airline. In March 2008, after more than six decades in the skies, Aloha Airlines ceased operations. At the time of shutdown, it operated a fleet of 22 aircraft to 20 destinations.
3. Discovery Airways
Discovery Airways was another short-lived airline that provided interisland service within Hawaii. The Honolulu-based carrier launched in 1990 with service between HNL and Kahului Airport (OGG), Lihue Airport (LIH), and Kona International Airport (KOA).
Discovery operated a fleet of five 96-seat British Aerospace BAe 146-200s. However, just four months after its launch, the Department of Transportation ordered the carrier to shut down. This directive arose when the owner, Phillip Ho, failed to provide proof of American citizenship amidst an investigation, thereby violating a federal law governing airline ownership.
4. Go! Airlines
With a fleet of 12 CRJ-200s, Go! was a regional interisland airline that began operations in June 2006. It was owned by Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group and operated a base at HNL.
Go! provided service to four airports from its HNL hub, including Hilo (ITO), Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA), and Lihue (LIH).
The carrier’s reputation took a hit in February 2008 when both pilots fell asleep on a flight from Honolulu to Hilo. The CRJ-200 overshot its destination by 18 minutes before the pilots woke up and landed the plane safely at its intended destination.
Go! rebranded as Go! Mokulele (see #5 below) for three years between 2009-2012. However, the carrier shed the Mokulele name in 2012. It operated for two more years before financial difficulties led to Mesa’s decision to reallocate assets to the mainland, permanently ending the Go! brand.
5. Go! Mokulele
Go! Mokulele was an interisland airline that operated as a joint venture between Mesa Airlines and Mokulele Flight Services. The Honolulu-based carrier operated from 2009 to 2012 and served seven cities: Hilo (ITO), Kona (KOA), Lihue (LIH), Lanai City (LNY), Kahului (OGG), Molokai (MKK), and Honolulu (HNL).
Go! Mokulele utilized a fleet of six CRJ-200s (operated by Go!/Mesa) and four Cessna 208B Grand Caravans (operated by Mokulele Airlines).
Following the divestiture of its ownership stake in Mokulele Airlines in late 2011, the brand was discontinued a short time later.
6. Island Air
Established in 1980 as Princeville Airways, Island Air provided essential connections between the Hawaiian Islands. In 1987, after being acquired by the Aloha Air Group, the parent company of Aloha Airlines, it was renamed Aloha Island Air. The Honolulu-based carrier operated on routes that could not accommodate the larger Aloha 737-200 jets. Another rebranding took place in 1995 when it became Island Air.
Throughout its 37-year history, Island Air operated a fleet of 64-seat ATR 72s, 19-seat De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, 37-seat De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100/200s, and 78-seat Q400s.
Despite its initial success, Island Air faced persistent financial challenges. It changed hands several times, with billionaire Larry Ellison’s ownership through Ohana Airline Holdings LLC in 2013 and subsequent sale to PacificCap LLC in 2016.
These challenges led to a reduction in its route map and services. Cities like Molokai (MKK), Kapalua/West Maui (JHM), Lihue (LIH), Lanai (LNY), and Hilo (ITO) were among those cut from its operations. Despite promises of expansion and efforts to restore service to previously-served airports, Island Air ultimately succumbed to financial pressures and ceased operations in November 2017.
At the time of its closure, Island Air was operating a fleet that included Bombardier Q400 turboprops, serving only four cities – Kona (KOA), Lihue (LIH), Kahului (OGG), and HNL.
7. Mahalo Air
Beginning operations in 1993, interisland carrier Mahalo Air initially relied on Fokker F27 Friendship turboprops operated by Empire Airlines while awaiting certification. However, the agreement with Empire ended in May 1994, leading to the temporary shutdown of Mahalo Air.
The brand experienced a swift revival in October 1994, subsequently establishing a fleet of thirteen 48-passenger ATR-42 turboprops. However, like many other carriers, Mahalo Air ran into financial challenges, culminating in the Honolulu-based carrier filing for bankruptcy during the summer of 1997. The carrier officially went out of business in September 1997.
Mahalo’s brief existence included a network of seven destinations connecting principal Hawaiian airports such as Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG), Kapalua (JHM), Molokai (MKK), Kona (KOA), Lanai (LNY), and Lihue (LIH).
8. Mid Pacific Air
The peculiar history of Mid Pacific Air began in 1981 as a low-cost airline that carved its niche with a fleet of Japan-built NAMC YS-11 turboprops. The Honolulu-based carrier would later add Fokker F28 Fellowship jets in 1985.
Mid Pacific eventually expanded its reach beyond the Hawaiian Islands, establishing a separate mainland operation in 1985 with routes from Las Vegas (LAS) to Grand Canyon (GCN), Burbank/Bob Hope (BUR), Orange County/John Wayne (SNA), and Fresno (FAT). Ultimately, the carrier struggled to compete with the dominant players, Aloha and Hawaiian, and ended operations in early 1988.
However, the brand experienced a resurrection with a cargo-focused venture based in Lafayette, Ind. (LAF), employing the previously used YS-11s. Additionally, Mid Pacific Air took on a new identity as a commuter carrier named Reno Air Express. It would operate British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31s out of San Jose International Airport (SJC). This chapter of Mid Pacific Air’s story would be its last, though, as the company shut down in 1995.
In its prime, Mid Pacific Air’s Hawaiian destinations included Hilo (ITO), Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA), and Lihue (LIH). The fleet consisted of 22 NAMC YS-11s, two F28s, and even a wet-leased Boeing 707 operated by Mid Pacific Arrow for a route connecting Honolulu to Pago Pago, American Samoa (PPG).
9. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian
‘Ohana by Hawaiian, a regional subsidiary of Hawaiian Airlines, began operations in 2014 with a fleet that included four ATR 42s owned by Hawaiian and operated under contract by Empire Airlines. These aircraft, configured to accommodate 48 passengers, formed the backbone of ‘Ohana’s operations. The carrier also operated three ATR-72 cargo aircraft.
Serving eight destinations, ‘Ohana connected principal communities across Hawaii, including Honolulu (HNL), Kapalua (JHM), Lanai (LNY), Molokai (MKK), Lihue (LIH), Kona (KOA), Kahului (OGG), and Hilo (ITO). Unfortunately, the airline faced an untimely end in 2021, as the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted island travel, leading to its shutdown.
10. Pacific Wings
Pacific Wings can trace its roots back to 1974 when it began operations as an on-demand charter operator named Air Nevada. The airline transitioned to scheduled service in 1978, connecting Las Vegas (LAS) and Grand Canyon (GCN). However, Air Nevada’s operations came to an end in 1998.
The brand soon returned to life when it resurfaced as Kahului-based Pacific Wings, focusing on scheduled service within Hawaii. In 2007, the carrier rebranded as PW Express. It offered $49 flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Molokai (MKK), Lanai (LNY), and Kahului (OGG). PW Express operated a fleet of Cessna 402s and 208B Grand Caravans.
Pacific Wings closed down PW Express in 2009 following a security incident in Kahului. Shortly after, the carrier eliminated all but three routes and ultimately ended all Hawaii flights by 2013.
11. The Hawaii Express
Although not technically Hawaiian-owned (its headquarters was in Los Angeles), we decided to include this interesting piece of aviation history in this story.
Before Air Hawaii’s (see #1) failure, there was The Hawaii Express. With Michael Hartley (the visionary behind Air Hawaii) at the helm, the carrier began operations in August 1982 with a single Boeing 747-100.
Affectionately nicknamed “The Big Pineapple,” the airline sought to carve a niche in the competitive Hawaii-US Mainland market. Hartley assembled his initial crew by hiring 15 pilots from the recently bankrupted Braniff Airlines. Additionally, he hired 50 flight attendants recently let go from various carriers across the United States.
In May 1983, the carrier acquired two McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10s. Originally intended to replace the aging Boeing 747, all three aircraft operated simultaneously for a brief period. At its peak, The Hawaii Express operated multiple daily trips between LAX and HNL.
However, The Hawaii Express’s journey ended abruptly on 20 December 1983 (due to – you guessed it! – financial woes) with the suspension of all flights. The airline filed for bankruptcy the following day.
The DC-10s, with tail numbers N904WA and N905WA, would later find a new home with Hartley’s Air Hawaii . Following Air Hawaii’s demise, they would serve with American Airlines and FedEx before being stored at Victorville Airport (VCV) as of December 2019. The 747, bearing registration N355AS, had a subsequent career with People Express, Continental, and TWA.
Hawaii’s Aviation History: As Rich as Its Beautiful Landscape
With their stunning geography and paradisiacal allure, the Hawaiian Islands have long been a sought-after destination for travelers worldwide.
While just two principal carriers dominate today, many have graced the skies of paradise through the years. And each has a unique story. The story of these 11 carriers is just a small glimpse into Hawaii’s rich (and colorful!) aviation history.
May we honor their legacy and appreciate their role in connecting Hawaii’s beautiful islands to the mainland and the world.
