CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / 2017
Makani Kai Air announced it will begin direct air service between Princeville on Kauai and Honolulu beginning May 1. Pictured are guests previewing the new passenger lobby area of the terminal as Kahu William Kaina performs a blessing.
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Direct air service between Princeville and Honolulu will begin next month after a nearly 25-year hiatus.
Makani Kai Air, which was established in 2009 by Schuman Aviation Company Ltd., announced Wednesday that it would begin regularly scheduled air service between Honolulu and Princeville Airport on May 1.
The carrier will offer twice daily round trips for
$125 each way, on a twin-engine Piper Chieftain that accommodates up to nine passengers. Short- and
long-term parking is available in Princeville and in
Honolulu, where the company’s planes depart from
100 Kaulele Place.
Richard Schuman, owner of Makani Kai Air, said the 48-minute Oahu-Princeville route hasn’t been offered since 1997 when Island Air, formerly called Princeville Airways, ceased operations to Princeville Airport. Peak travel for the route was in 1994 when some 27,943 passengers used Princeville Airport.
“Historically speaking, the Princeville area has shown an appetite for direct air service to Honolulu,” said Schuman.“Our customers appreciate not having to fight traffic into Lihue, not having to go through a TSA line, and they appreciate our fixed airfare, which doesn’t change from day to day. There are no surprises over what our airfare might be on a holiday weekend or any other time.”
Makani Kai Air also operates seven Cessna Grand Caravan turbine aircraft, a Eurocopter AS-350 A-Star and three MD-500 helicopters, which have been featured in the CBS crime dramas “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0.”
In addition to its new Princeville route, the carrier offers service between Oahu, Molokai Airport and Kalaupapa. Service also is available between Kahului and Molokai Airport and between Molokai Airport and Kalaupapa.
