Bankruptcy Reigns
March 31, 2009 > MAUI TODAY, > Maui Yesterdays No Comments |
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Clam on 1/2-Shell Day
HAWAIIAN WORD OF THE DAY — Panakalupa: Bankrupt PIDGIN WORD OF THE DAY— Balus: Airplane HAWAIIAN PROVERB OF THE DAY — “Deny the gods, deny their power.” HAOLE SAYING OF THE DAY — “I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.” - Thomas Jefferson
March 31st 2008: Today is the last day that Aloha Air flIES. After 60 years, the airline cites “unfair competition,” meaning go! airlines and its $39 (and at times $19) one-way fair between islands. The latest information is being posted here.
If you are a tourist, you will probably make your way to the mainland via United Airlines, if there is room. If you fly between islands, right now you’ve lost your money. That may change, if Aloha can get another airline to honor its tickets. Time will tell.
The airline first flew in 1948, just after the World War II and a good ten years before statehood. It was known for the DC model of planes it flew. (The DC line became the most popular aircraft of the 20th century. It is estimated that more than 100 of the planes are still in operation. Aviation Week once called the DC-9 the “finest aircraft ever assembled.” It was a prop, would go too fast, but come hell or high water, it would get you there.)
Only time will tell if Aloha is correct. That is, if the go! ticket prices were set solely to drive competition out of business. If the interisland prices go up soon, we’ll know the airline was right. Read more …
March 31st, 1993: The 110-year-old Hamakua Sugar Co. closes (think Hamakuapoko). The company had been dormant since the previous August. The last 31 workers are laid off. Today the area is best known as the restoration location of the Old Maui High School.
