Rep. Tokuda Provides Update on Transportation Issue on Molokai, Lanai

Rep. Tokuda Provides Update on Transportation Issue on Molokai, Lanai | U.S. House Representative Jill Tokuda Skip to content Close Home About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Close SEARCH Congresswoman Jill Tokuda About Biography Our District Votes And Legislation Committees & Caucuses Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus Bipartisan Congressional Coffee Caucus Services Help With A Federal Agency Tours And Tickets Internships Flags Art Competition Commendations and Greetings Military Service Academy Nominations Funding Requests Grant Applications Events Know Your Rights Disaster Assistance Programs for Flooding Victims Community Resources and Flood Response Guidance Media Op-Eds Press Releases In The News Videos Contact Email Me Scheduling Request Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Website Problem Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases January 24, 2025 Rep. Tokuda Provides Update on Transportation Issue on Molokai, Lanai "Air transportation is a critical lifeline for our ʻohana on Molokai and Lanai.  In the week since Mokulele grounded their planes without warning, leaving passengers and residents angry and stranded, I have been in conversation with multiple federal agencies about any and all remedies we have to prevent these lapses in service and explore alternative options to keep our neighbor island communities connected," said U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). "In conversations with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), I have asked them to consider a delay of award or shorten their upcoming Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts forKalaupapa and Kamuela in order to give them the most flexibility and options in selecting a carrier.  I also requested that they consider going out earlier to solicit new contracts for existing EAS routes if carriers have not been able to live up to the terms of their agreements.  At my request, USDOT included reporting requirements in their most recent EAS contract for Lanai in order for there to be accountability on the consistency and reliability of their routes. We will continue to work with USDOT on requiring contingency plans to prevent lapses in services as a part of future EAS contracts. This is a complicated and challenging issue that will require collaboration between state, federal, and private stakeholders, but our residents deserve nothing less than the ability to get safely to and from their island home." ### Print Email Share Tweet Previous Article Next Article About Services Media Contact Privacy Policy Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo