Hawai'i trips for rescue workers proposed

Advertiser Staff

Hawaiian Airlines has big plans for its recently sidelined DC-10 charter aircraft: Use them to bring New York rescue workers to Hawaii for vacation.

"I don't know if it's feasible, but it's a great idea," said Hawaiian chief executive officer Paul Casey.

Thought up by Hawaiian pilot Kathy Jones, the plan would put to use two planes that were specially designed with more than 300 seats for Hawaiian's charter contract with Renaissance Cruises. Renaissance flied for bankruptcy, stranding 2,000 cruisers and making Hawaiian's planes white elephants, at least temporarily.

St. Kitts and Nevis and Bermuda, which depend heavily on the U.S. travel market, already have offered free hotel stays to firefighters, police officers and rescue workers.

Casey called Gov. Ben Cayetano with the idea because his office would have to issue the formal invitation through New York Gov. George Pataki, Casey said. Who would pay for the venture is still unclear.

"The details haven't been worked out," Casey said. "The suggestion came to me . . . and I immediately called the governor's office and said 'I think this is a good idea.'"

Cayetano spokeswoman Kim Murakawa said the governor has been open to many of the ideas proposed in recent weeks.

"It's something that he's considering," she said.