With regards to the Southwest Airlines coming to the islands: We wish them a warmest aloha!

It’s been a long time coming. We needed some competition here. That being said, I hold no allegiance to Hawaiian Airlines, which has been price-gouging us locals for so long.

Hawaiian Airlines has no aloha for the people living here who want to see their families on other islands but can’t afford to do so. It’s cheaper to fly to Las Vegas!

For years, generations of families have been kept apart because of finances and high prices of interisland flights. Hawaiian Airlines has its deep pockets and recently expressed in the news how much money they’ve made lately: “It’s been a good year.”

But not for the families here in Hawaii. Generations are lost because families can’t keep connected. I only hope that Southwest shows compassion consistently and gives our island people the chance to see and hug our families. As far as I’m concerned, with Hawaiian Airlines trying to jump on the boat with the cheap rates: Forget about it.

Gigi Polk

Kailua-Kona

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