Lost To History: 5 Once-Notable Hawaiian Carriers That Time Forgot

Simple Flying

By Giacomo Amati

Published Dec 15, 2023

If we say Hawaii, which airlines do come to your mind? If the answer is Hawaiian Airlines only, you should know there have been more in the past!

Photo: Aero Icarus I Flickr

Airlines like Aloha, Pacific Wings, Island Air, and Mid Pacific Air played a crucial role in connecting Hawaii with the US mainland and the Pacific region.
Aloha Airlines, founded in 1946, operated a variety of aircraft but predominantly relied on the Boeing 737 for inter-island and transpacific routes.
Island Air, acquired by the Aloha Air Group in 1987 and later renamed, primarily operated regional aircraft like ATR72s and De Havilland Canada models. Financial troubles led to a reduction in their network until it ceased operations in 2017.
Ohana by Hawaiian operated as a regional carrier for Hawaiian Airlines, flying a small fleet of four ATR42s. It did not manage to survive the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ceased operations in 2021.