Swanson, Brian (OST) bor'nsr^^_Dno -(bf ^ ^ 

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Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Aloha, 

Erika Viernes Stein [erikavs88@gnnail.com] 

Tliursday, December 29, 2011 8:54 PM 

Devany, Dennis (OST); EAS (OST) 

Answer to Pacific Wings' Petition for Reconsideration 

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I am a resident and worker down in Kalaupapa. I've seen the cost of flights range from 

$40 - $250 one-way for a flight from Kalaupapa Airport to Ho'olehua Airport. When the 

flights were priced at their most exorbitant, I couldn't afford to fly out. My mother, who 

also had previously visitied me in Kalaupapa, could also not afford to fly in and out. This 

has put enormous financial and physical strain and both myself and my mother. I've been 

forced to carry food and groceries on my back while hiking the trail. Because of this, I 

have been limited to the types of food that can handle being carried in a backpack for 1+ 

hours. I have not been succesful in carrying produce that I enjoy such as lettuce and 

melons. Items such as bread and ice cream are also very difficult to carry down the trail. 

Frequently, I've had to walk up the trail, drive to the airport (stinky, sweaty, and muddy, 

mind you) then catch another flight from Ho'olehua in order to fly off of Moloka'i to visit 

family. I need to go topside to do all my banking as well. Even though Kalaupapa has a 

small store, we have to pay cash. Thus, it has been necessary to go topside in order to use 

the ATM to pull out money. When I've been sick, or have suffered from a knee injury, 

I've had to stay in Kalaupapa— sometimes unable to restock my food. The high price of 

flights at Kalaupapa under Pacific Wings caused extreme inconvenience to me as well as 

family and friends who previously would have come to visit. 

In addition, I just don't like to fly with Pacific Wings. On a Government work trip, I was 

flying down to Kalaupapa with a patient and was subjected to a plane 'incident'. I suppose 

this was back in 2009 or so. The Pacific Wings pilot landed onto the Kalaupapa Airstrip 

too far and too fast. The plane landed off the runway and the tire blew. When I describe 

this incident to people, I use a 'new driver' feeling as a comparison. The pilot's flying just 

felt a bit hairy- similar to a new driver's lack of control behind the wheel. I could feel 

this on the plane from when I first boarded in Honolulu. After we landed (off the runway) 

I heard the pilot say 'sh*t' and tried to move the plane. He opened the door and we could 

smell the burnt rubber from the tire. This was very unnerving! The Kalaupapa National 

Historical Park's firetruck responsede to the scene. I honestly have made a concerted 

effort to not fly Pacific Wings since that time. Of course, once the price of flights rose 

exponentially, I couldn't, in good conscience, afford to pay those prices! 

Makani Kai flying to Kalaupapa has eased life down in Kalaupapa. It's been such a treat 

to fly to Kalaupapa from Honolulu with fresh produce that I can take directly to my 
home. I don't arrive at my destination stinky, muddy, and sweaty anymore since I no 

longer HAVE to hike up the trail. I've also been able to have more time AND MONEY 

since I can catch flights directly from Kalaupapa. 

I strongly advocate for Makani Kai to retain the EAS at Kalaupapa. I will continue to 

make every effort to not fly with Pacific Wings. I'm happy to answer any questions or 

comment further on the above. 

Thank you, 

Erika Therese Viernes Stein.