Several employees working on what turned out to be their last day on the job yesterday at Aloha Airlines — some of whom had served the company for nearly 30 years — were still absorbing the shock of Sunday’s news
Several employees working on what turned out to be their last day on the job yesterday at Aloha Airlines — some of whom had served the company for nearly 30 years — were still absorbing the shock of Sunday’s news that the company was shutting down.
“I didn’t find out ‘til yesterday,” said one employee, who didn’t give her name. “I’ve only been here a month. It’s harder for my uncle, who’s been working baggage downstairs for 26 years.”
Up to and including yesterday, an estimated 40 to 50 Kaua‘i employees were on shift at any given time at the Lihu‘e Airport for Aloha Airlines, whether handling luggage, ticketing customers or managing other employees.
Approximately 1,900 of the airlines employees lost their jobs statewide, following Aloha Airlines’ Sunday announcement that yesterday would be its last day of interisland travel. All flights beyond the Neighbor Islands were canceled.
In response, Gov. Linda Lingle released a statement that she would ask the bankruptcy court not to allow the airlines to shut down unless it could prove there was no other viable solution. The issue was heard before U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Lloyd King yesterday, who left it up to the airlines to decide whether it will shut down its operations.
As Aloha Airlines employees completed their last day on the job, legislators at the Capitol hashed out plans to prevent the same situation from happening to other companies, and discussed possible remaining solutions to save Aloha Airlines.
“There might be some change of Aloha (Airlines) in terms of a new buyer or new partner coming in,” said Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau. “But we’re also looking at ways in which we might assist employees.”
Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste expressed his concern for island residents affected by the developments.
“I am deeply saddened by the abrupt end of Aloha Airlines passenger operations, which has been a major part of Hawai‘i’s transportation industry for decades,” he said. “Governor (Linda) Lingle has taken the lead to assist Aloha employees through this difficult period with the activation of a Rapid Response Team.”
The mayor said the county will do whatever it can to offer support to employees.
Legislators’ discussions weren’t limited to helping Aloha Airlines employees but also included talks over the 120 Molokai Ranch staffers who were laid off when Molokai Properties Limited announced earlier this month its plans to shutdown, also effective yesterday.
Hooser said among the legislative priorities discussed yesterday is looking at ways to offer job training to former Aloha Airlines employees, in part as a way to deter them from collecting government aid.
“Right now one of their options is to go on unemployment,” Hooser said.
“But to have other options, some might need education and training and some might need assistance in order to start a business of their own,” he said, adding, “We already have a lot of these types of programs in place, but we’re just looking at whether they need to be expanded.”
The Senate passed on third reading yesterday morning House Bill 2860, a measure that would exempt the general excise and use taxes on fuel sold from a foreign-trade zone to common carriers for use in interisland air transportation.
Legislators are expected to make a decision today on House Bill 509, which aims to help Hawai‘i interisland air carriers whose operations and revenues have been adversely affected by the recent travel fare wars. Legislators had been working on the bill that would provide some $50 million in loan guarantees to the airline, as well as possible tax breaks.
Though the closure of Aloha Airlines means one less competitor on the block, Hawaiian Airlines, which has partnered with the company by honoring Aloha Airlines reservations on its flights, will offer $49 flights through April 7.
Blaine Miyasato, Hawaiian Airlines vice president of customer service, said the company has not determined any timeline beyond April 7 for raising rates but said the company will put as many seats into the market as possible, and has added flights.
Hawaiian Airlines also is offering ticketed Aloha Airlines passengers standby service free of charge today, tomorrow and Thursday.
“We decided over the next three days to account for those who may not have heard,” he said.
Mesa Air Group also announced plans for go! to increase its number of flights from an average of 54 flights per day to 94 flights beginning today.
Like Hawaiian Airlines, go! will be offering $49 seats through April 7. The company also is offering standby to ticketed Aloha passengers through April 3.
Other entities working in the wake of Aloha Airlines’ collapse is the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is coordinating with airlines and hotels, according to its public relations office.
Meanwhile, soon-to-be-unemployed Lihu‘e Aloha Airlines workers, such as porter Le Roi Bethel, are looking ahead and taking the situation with a grain of salt.
“Maybe next time there’s a story on Aloha, it will be that we’re re-opening,” Bethel said.
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com
