mokulele airlines

Question

Just wondering if Mokulele is still cancelling flights? delayed? want to go to Molokai, concerned about flight delays.

Answer

Aloha — great question. Short answer: yes, there have been recent issues with Mokulele Airlines, especially around flight cancellations and delays, particularly for Molokai. But they are working to recover. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s happening, why it’s affecting Molokai, and what to watch for (plus some advice if you’re planning a trip).

What’s Going On with Mokulele Right Now

In mid-January 2025, Mokulele grounded a large portion of its fleet for maintenance “out of an abundance of caution.”
Because of this, many flights were cancelled, including Molokai routes.
Mokulele has said it will progressively ramp up service and return to full published scheduled flights as of February 3, 2025.
Despite that, some in the Molokai community report that operations are still not fully back to normal: flight capacity is estimated to be about 50% of normal, according to the Hawai‘i Dept. of Transportation.
There have also been reports of ongoing “prolonged delays, flight cancellations, and a frustrating lack of communication” from passengers.
Because Mokulele is the only scheduled commercial airline serving Molokai (for now), these disruptions have had a big impact.

Why These Issues Are Happening

The recent grounding was due to maintenance / aircraft inspections.
Fleet readiness is a recurring concern: because Mokulele operates small aircraft (e.g., Cessna Caravans), any maintenance or parts issues can more easily disrupt its schedule.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has noted that delays and rescheduling with little notice are common, which particularly hurts Molokai residents (some rely on the airline for essential services like medical travel).
Some in the Molokai community are collecting data on these disruptions to push for better reliability or additional carrier options.

What People Are Saying / Experiencing

According to local media (Hawai‘i Public Radio), some Molokai residents have resorted to boat travel because of canceled Mokulele flights.
The Molokai Dispatch reports that, while flights have resumed, many still experience long delays and cancellations.
On social media / Reddit, travelers note that “there can be delays or occasional cancellations … be prepared for 2-3 hour delays each way.”

What Mokulele Is Doing About It

They’ve announced a phased return to full operations (targeted by Feb 3, 2025) after the maintenance pause.
They’ve been offering accommodations to impacted passengers and encouraging people to contact their customer service if their flights are canceled.
The Hawai‘i DOT is also discussing contingency plans, like having charter flights available for emergencies.

Risks / Things to Consider If You Plan to Fly Mokulele to Molokai

There is a non-negligible risk of delays or cancellations, especially if the airline is still ramping back up.
If your trip is time-sensitive (medical appointments, tight schedules), you may want to build in a buffer day or have a backup plan.
Stay in close contact with Mokulele before travel: check their flight status, call customer service, and verify your reservation.
Be prepared for some uncertainty — as rural island air service, small carriers like Mokulele are more vulnerable to maintenance issues and weather.

Bottom Line

Yes — Mokulele has had recent flight cancellations and delays, particularly affecting Molokai — but they are actively working to restore full operations. If you’re traveling there soon, it’s wise to monitor your flight closely, allow for flexibility, and understand there is some risk. That said, once things stabilize (if their Feb 3 target holds), reliability may improve.

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