Kamaka Air
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| Founded | 1993 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Honolulu | ||||||
| Fleet size | 9 | ||||||
| Destinations | 7 | ||||||
| Parent company | RLG Capital and Trinity Private Equity Group (80%) | ||||||
| Employees | 50 to 200 | ||||||
| Website | kamakaair | ||||||
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 through 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] On October 23 2025 Kamaka Air partnered with a veterinary.[12] In March of 2026 the airline began relief flights.[13]
Fleet
Current
Historic
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 2 "Kamaka Air history from US, Americas".
- ↑ Huff, Daryl (December 18, 2024). "Here's what we know about Kamaka Air's 30-year history in Hawaii". hawaiinewsnow.com.
- ↑ "'How are we supposed to survive?' Concerns loom as cargo carrier halts operations for Molokai and Lanai". KHON2. June 6, 2024.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "US's Kamaka Air takes first Cessna C408F". ch-aviation. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ "US's Kamaka Air touts conservative growth plan". ch-aviation. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- 1 2 Barnett, Chris (August 5, 2024). "Hawaii's Kamaka Air says no plans to fly to US mainland". American Journal of Transportation. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "US's Kamaka Air grounded after director of ops quits". ch-aviation. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ↑ Cunningham, Jai (December 18, 2024). "Kamaka Air faces lawsuit with former owner". KITV Island News. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Kamaka Air receives second passenger aircraft". Pacific Business News. June 26, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Veterinary partnership with airline makes access to lifesaving pet care easier from any island | Maui Now". | Veterinary partnership with airline makes access to lifesaving pet care easier from any island. October 23, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Direct Relief Supports Emergency Airlift of Supplies to Molokaʻi Following Hawaiʻi Flooding".
- ↑ "Air cargo plane crashes on Molokai". mauinews.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ↑ Homma, Anton (February 25, 2023). "Another new Cessna 408-operator: Kamaka Air". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ↑ Air-Britain. "Aviation photographs of Operator: Kamaka Air Inc. :". abpic.co.uk. Retrieved January 8, 2026.