Hansen’s disease survivors and National Park Service workers at the Kalaupapa Settlement say they will be traveling easier now that a new air carrier has started federally subsidized service to their isolated community at lower ticket prices.

"It’s better for us. It’s better for everybody, even the tourists," said Gloria Marks, a resident and business owner, noting the new fares are much cheaper than the previous carrier’s.

Makani Kai Charters, the new subsidized essential air service carrier, with two Cessna Grand Caravans, was scheduled to hold a blessing today at Kalaupapa. The air carrier, established by Schuman Aviation Co. in 2009, began providing subsidized service Dec. 10.

Makani Kai Charters announced it is charging $154.56 for a round-trip flight to Kalaupapa from the Molokai airport at Hoolehua and $77.28 for the same round trip to Kalaupapa residents.

The round-trip fare between Kalaupapa and Honolulu is $270.

Pacific Wings, the previous air service provider, has been charging about $498 for a Kalaupapa-Honolulu round trip and $488 for a Kalaupapa-Hoolehua round trip, according to its website posting Monday.

Marks said while patients’ medical travel is subsidized by the federal government, their personal visits and travel by their families were affected by the high air travel prices.

She said some workers at Kalaupapa National Historic Park were hiking a winding path up a 2,000-foot mountain to get to the Molokai airport, then flying to Honolulu, rather than pay for the air travel.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced selection of Makani Air Charters to provide the subsidized, essential air service in November after patients and their supporters complained about ticket prices.

The two-year period of subsidized service totals $932,772 for the first year and $923,509 for the second, federal officials said.

Pacific Wings has objected to Makani Kai’s selection, saying Makani Kai made significant errors in its calculations for subsidies.

About 17 patients, although cured of the disease, still choose to live at Kalaupapa. Their average age is 78, officials said.

The state continues to care for patients’ needs and operates a care facility, a store, kitchen and gas station for the community. The national park with a staff of 50 full-time employees maintains the roads, trails and natural and cultural resources, including more than 200 national historic landmark buildings.

Park supervisor Stephen Prokop said about 8,000 people visit Kalaupapa each year.

Lower airfares will allow people at Kalaupapa to have more contact with the outside world, he said.