Kamaka Air

Kamaka Air
IATAICAOCall sign
- - -
Founded1993
HubsHonolulu
Fleet size9
Destinations7
Parent companyRLG Capital and Trinity Private Equity Group (80%)
Employees50 to 200

Kamaka Air is a US based cargo and charter airline based out of Hawaii founded in 1993. It is a Part 135 carrier.

History

Kamaka Air was founded in 1993 as a local airline across the Hawaiian islands.[1] In 2003 they took over Genavco Air Cargo.[1]

In 2021 a Cessna 208 crashed, in February 2022 80% of their stock was bought by RLG Capital and Trinity Private Equity Group,[2] in 2024 they halted services to Molokai and Lanai and went trough a management change.[3] Kamaka Air also in 2023 provided aid to Maui amid a crisis.[4] On February 1, 2023, they took their first Cessna 408 to their leasing arm.[5] They also had to temporarily halted fights after it failed to complete key jobs.In 2024 CEO David Hinderland talked about a conservative growth plan particularly stating it had plans for more aircraft, but did not explain further.[6] It has also has no plans to expand to the US mainland.[7] In June 2024 it was reported that Kamaka Air resumed service after staffing issues.[8] In June 2024 its management director quit leading which caused a grounding.[9] On December 18, 2024, Kamaka Air faced a lawsuit with its former owner.[10] In June 2025 Kamaka Air received its second passenger aircraft.[11]

Fleet

Current

Cessna Caravan[12]

Cessna 408[13]

Historic

DC 3[14]

Beech 18[15]

Cessna 207

Destinations

As of 2023 these are the cities Kamaka Air serves

United States

Hawaii

Speculated

There was also speculation Kamaka Air would fly to the lower 48.[7]

References

  1. ^ ab"Kamaka Air history from US, Americas".
  2. ^Huff, Daryl (December 18, 2024). "Here's what we know about Kamaka Air's 30-year history in Hawaii". hawaiinewsnow.com.
  3. ^"'How are we supposed to survive?' Concerns loom as cargo carrier halts operations for Molokai and Lanai". KHON2. June 6, 2024.
  4. ^Air, Kamaka (August 28, 2023). "Kamaka Air Provides Aid Amid Maui Crisis: Over 65,000 Pounds of Supplies Airlifted to Support the Lahaina Community". Aero Crew News. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  5. ^"US's Kamaka Air takes first Cessna C408F". ch-aviation. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  6. ^"US's Kamaka Air touts conservative growth plan". ch-aviation. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  7. ^ abBarnett, Chris (August 5, 2024). "Hawaii's Kamaka Air says no plans to fly to US mainland". American Journal of Transportation. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  8. ^Staff, H. N. N. (June 14, 2024). "Kamaka Air resumes service after 8-day shutdown linked to staffing issues". www.hawaiinewsnow.com. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  9. ^"US's Kamaka Air grounded after director of ops quits". ch-aviation. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  10. ^Cunningham, Jai (December 18, 2024). "Kamaka Air faces lawsuit with former owner". KITV Island News. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  11. ^"Kamaka Air receives second passenger aircraft". Pacific Business News. June 26, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  12. ^"Air cargo plane crashes on Molokai". mauinews.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  13. ^Homma, Anton (February 25, 2023). "Another new Cessna 408-operator: Kamaka Air". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  14. ^"Kamaka Air at Air history.net". Air History.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^Air-Britain. "Aviation photographs of Operator: Kamaka Air Inc. :". abpic.co.uk. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  16. ^ abcdefg"Kamaka Air - Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)". airlinersgallery.smugmug.com. Retrieved January 3, 2026.