A luxury airline owned by billionaire Larry Ellison is preparing to launch service from Molokaʻi to Honolulu. The expansion aims to improve residents' access to off-island doctors after a post-pandemic drop in commercial flights. Operational details remain under finalization.
Lānaʻi Air, established in 2018 to shuttle guests to Ellison's Four Seasons resorts on Lānaʻi, opened public ticket sales in January 2024 following the halt of other carriers. The airline now seeks to extend service to neighboring Molokaʻi, where only one commercial operator remains after the pandemic reduced options from three to one. Makani Kai and Ohana by Hawaiian ceased operations in November 2020 and January 2021, respectively, leaving residents facing delays and cancellations that disrupt medical trips to Honolulu, a 37-minute flight away. “We recognize that for many residents, air travel is an essential connection to health care, work, family and daily needs, and our goal is to provide additional travel options to support those connections,” stated Lyssa Fujie, spokesperson for Pūlama Lānaʻi, which manages Ellison's 98% ownership of Lānaʻi. The company is advertising five jobs at Molokaʻi Airport, though the launch timeline is still being set. Mokulele Airlines, the sole current carrier, has improved service since 2024 with new aircraft, more pilots, and extra flights, but residents report ongoing issues. “You can’t get to your doctor appointment because the flight’s delayed — that’s often still the case,” said Molokaʻi resident Walter Ritte. Some welcome the added competition, but concerns linger over potential expansion of Ellison's influence, given Molokaʻi Ranch's availability and his extensive Lānaʻi holdings. “Lānaʻi Air’s billionaire owner suddenly being interested in Molokaʻi, it raises some red flags,” said Maui County Councilwoman Keani Rawlins-Fernandez. State-funded free medical flights have aided 94 Molokaʻi residents since January.