Hawaiian Air to begin new nonstop flight

Hawaiian Airlines will begin daily nonstop service between Lihue and Kona, Hawaii island, on March 12 to mark the first time in the company’s history that it will connect the two islands with a direct flight.

“Demand from our kamaaina and visitors for travel between Hawaii Island and Kauai has been growing steadily over the past few years,” Hawaiian Chief Commercial Officer Peter Ingram said Thursday in a statement. “We are proud to now offer our guests direct access between these islands, in addition to our connecting flights through Honolulu or Maui.”

Hawaiian said the 263-mile flight will now become the carrier’s longest neighbor island route, surpassing its flights between Hilo and Honolulu by 60 miles.

The flight from Kona will depart at 9:38 a.m. and arrive in Lihue at 10:36 a.m. The flight from Lihue will depart at 3:44 p.m. and arrive in Kona at 4:44 p.m.