Bush's proposal may cut air service
By Leyard King
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — A proposal by President Bush to end federal subsidies to 18 small airports could mean a reduction of air service on Maui and the Big Island.
Airports from Hawai'i to Main are targeted by the proposal.
Under new eligibility rules included in the $1.96 trillion budget proposal, communities within a certain distance of a larger airport would no longer qualify for subsidized air service.
Without the subsidy, airlines that fly in and out of those airports no longer would be bound to serve them, U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Mosley said. Officials for some of those airlines said yesterday they could not afford to continue flights without subsidy.
Air carriers serving the 18 communities — which include Hana on Maui and Kamuela on the Big Island — would lose nearly $14 million collectively. That money would be redistributed to isolated communities that depend more heavily on their local airports, Mosley said.
"With a limited budget, we have to make choices," he said.
Under the new rules, the subsidy would end for any community within 100 miles of a medium-sized or major airport, within 70 miles of a small hub airport, or within 50 miles of an airport with scheduled jet service.
But distance doesn't tell the whole story, argued a spokesman for Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i.
For example, the Hana airport is 32 miles from Kahului Airport, but those miles must be traveled over a serpentine road hugging sheer cliffs and featuring 52 one-lane bridges "Even in the best conditions, driving that road is an experience," spokesman Paul Cardus said.
The loss of government support would likely result in fewer flights and higher ticket prices, according to Greg Kahlstorf, president of Pacific Wings, the Kahului-based company that provides service to both Hana and Kamuela under the subsidy.
Kahlstorf said that while the loss wouldn't put the company out of business or result in layoffs of any of its 70 employees, the airline would have to change its flight schedules to accommodate the tourist trade rather than the needs of residents.
With its eight-seat Cessnas, Pacific Wings operates two flights daily from O'ahu to Kamuela and one from Kahului to Kamuela, and two flights daily from O'ahu to Hana and four flights from Kahului to Hana. The fare on all flights is $49 one way.
Congress still must approve the proposed change.
Assuming the cuts survive the budget process, they wouldn't be enacted until Oct. 1. Existing subsidies are expected to ensure air service through the end of September, Mosley said.
The change did not surprise workers in Akaka's office, who say they have had to work to get the annual subsidy before for Hana and Kamuela, especially when dealing with a new administration.
"The Hawai'i delegation is working to get a DOT briefing explaining this change in policy," said Cardus. "The delegation would definitely be opposed to any change in air service for Hawai'i. Given the unique geographical location and insularity of these locations, essential air service is an important service to the community.
The regulations proposed by the administration fail to account for the unique characteristics of these locations. It's not just a matter of mileage."
Driving the 32 miles from Hana to the nearest airport "can take the same time it takes to drive 300 miles," he said.
Neighbor Island Editor Christie Wilson contributed to this report.
