Ohana by Hawaiian recently welcomed its maiden flight to Kapalua Airport (JHM) in West Maui, exactly 30 years to the day the airport opened and Hawaiian Airlines launched its inaugural service.
"Kapalua Airport has played an integral part in our company's history, and we are delighted to restart service on the 30th anniversary of Hawaiian's first flight to West Maui as we continue serving the travel needs of our community," said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, in a written release. "This daily Kapalua service will complement our existing flights at Kahului Airport and make it even more convenient for kamaaina and visitors alike to visit the Kaanapali coast."
The carrier's 48-seat, ATR-42 turboprop aircraft now operates two roundtrip flights daily from JHM to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and one flight between JHM and Kahului Airport (OGG).
"The new routes to Kapalua serviced by Ohana by Hawaiian will bring increased air travel choices to the Valley Isle," said Ford Fuchigami, director of the state Department of Transportation. "The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is pleased to welcome Hawaiian Airlines back to Kapalua Airport. HDOT is confident that this will benefit residents and visitors alike through increased transportation accessibility."
Between March 1, 1987 and April 1, 1993, Hawaiian served the West Maui airport with its 50-seat de Havilland Dash 7 aircraft. The three-letter designator code, JHM, was given to the airport in honor of the man who built it, John "Jack" H. Magoon, Jr., Hawaiian's former CEO and chairman. Magoon also who presided over the airport's planning and construction.
In tribute to his success, a nine-foot tall by 12-foot wide memorial wall at JHM was revealed this morning by Hawaiian Airlines, the HDOT and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
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