HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Kamaka Air Inc. was founded in 1993 as a local airline.

The company is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an interisland airline and logistics company for air freight services by the pound and unscheduled charter flights.

Its recent history is an example of consolidation in the general aviation industry across the country.

In February 2022, RLG Capital and Trinity Private Equity Group acquired an 80% majority stake in the airline.

Most of the planes are single-engine Cessna Caravans, like the one that crashed Tuesday. These are highly reliable aircraft with the capability of short landings and takeoffs required to serve airports, particularly Molokai and Lanai. Therefore, they are essential to supplying these small communities.

The car that crashed on Tuesday wasn’t particularly old. It was built in 2011.

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Last year, when Mokulele Airlines – which provides key routes to Molokai and Lanai – struggled to meet its schedules, Kamaka Air also began offering charter flights for passengers.

In January 2023, a Kamaka Air plane crashed near Molokai Airport. The aircraft was a total loss, but the pilot and co-pilot escaped with minor injuries.

In May 2024, Kamaka Air issued a press release stating that the company was under new ownership and leadership and fully supported Kamaka’s existing leadership.

It promised a smooth transition but has struggled to fill key positions, including a chief pilot and flight operations manager.

This made the FAA uncomfortable, so the company temporarily closed and resumed operations within a few weeks.

Kamaka Air is proud of its history of success in difficult times. Their aircraft have been used to deliver emergency COVID testing supplies to Lanai and food to Kauai during the pandemic, as well as food and other emergency supplies to Maui after the wildfires.

As part of the Federal Aviation Administration investigation, the airline will be reviewed for its operational and safety protocols and full compliance with FAA certification requirements.

Kamaka Air CEO David Hinderland issued the following statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that Kamaka Air confirms the loss of two members of the Kamaka Air family in an accident this afternoon at 3:13 p.m. near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. We will not release the pilots’ names until family members have had a chance to process this tragedy, and we hope the media will give them the same attention.

In the meantime, we remain available to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate this accident and will also provide related information to the media as it is confirmed in the coming hours and days.

At this time, we ask for your patience as you understand the urgency of obtaining accurate information that will not only provide a clear understanding of what is happening, but also ensure that the information is handled appropriately.”

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