Islands in Crisis Seek Air Backup | Honolulu News

Islanders on Molokai and Lanai are facing a crisis as empty shelves for milk, bread, and other essentials stretched for over a week—caused by rough seas and a mechanical failure that grounded Young Brothers’ shipping. State regulators are now demanding answers, even as lawmakers just approved automatic rate hikes for the company. Meanwhile, Kamaka Air is stepping in with a bold solution: using planes to deliver time-sensitive goods like fresh produce around the clock, offering a reliable backup to ocean freight. With decades of experience and a call for modest state support, Kamaka Air is positioning itself as a critical partner in rebuilding the islands’ supply chain. Lawmakers are also exploring smarter coordination between air and sea transport, plus emergency storage, to prevent future shortages. Young Brothers says it’s ready to cooperate. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7aaf5141b2d4dd4f