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THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATIOrvl.ij^JJopQp^^^^ 

".•VASMiNGTON DC 205sO ' .-'^•''^'i/'fT'onc 

July 21 , 2011 

)PERATIONS 

?0!l JUL 28 P 3: 05 

The Honorable Daniel K. Inouyc 

United States Senate 

Washington. DC 20510 

Dear Senator Inouyc: 

Thank you for your letter regarding Essential Air Service (EAS) at Kalaupapa, Hawaii. 

As you know, after the meeting with members of the community on March 24, the 

U.S. Department of Transportation solicited a second round of proposals from carriers interested 

in providing EAS thai would meet the special needs of the community. In response to the 

solicitation, we received proposals from four applicants: Above It All Inc., Pacific Wings, 

Schuman Aviation Company Ltd.. and Sovereign Air, Inc. 

On May 20, we sent e-mails to key community .stakeholders soliciting their comments on the 

proposals. In response to our request, we received comments from the National Park Service, the 

Airports Division of the State ol'Hawaii Department of Transportation, the State of Hawaii 

Department of Health, and several residents. 

As the EAS carrier-selection case is competitive and is currently under review by the 

Department, I am sure you understand that I cannot comment on the merits of the proposals. I 

assure you, however, that the Department will fully consider all of the proposals and examine 

each applicant's ability to provide scheduled air .service, fhc Department will then make its 

award based on the selection criteria detailed in the governing statutes, including community 

views. 

As is our normal practice. I am placing a copy of \^rJ^ttcr and my response in Docket DOTOST-2000-6773 as a contact outside the rj^iord ofthj/proceeding. I appreciawyour interest in 

the EAS Program. If I can provide furtlftr iniis^nnation or assistance, pleas^a^I free to call me. 
.?0236673'16' OSr\V85-121-XEVVCP24 01:26:30 p.m. 00- 'SIO-1106,17-001 

DANIEL K. INOUYE 

HAAAJI 

COMK'intf ON wTM0?fil/»I10MS. 

CH4!HMftN 

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SCilSCt. ANOTRAHSPORTAIIOM 

COMVllIH ONIHBASAfFAWS 

oiMocnAiic sncniNC AN D COOROINAHO.SCOMMITTEE 

CCMUinEE 0' ' HUllS AND AOUIM^TnATlON 

Bnitcd States Senate 

SUITE 722, HART SENATE OFFICF. BUHDINO 

WASHINGTON. DC 20510-1102 

(202) 224-3334 

TAX (2021 224-«747 

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nOOM 7-717. .100 ALA MQA><A BOUlF.VAno 

HOMOIULU. HI9M40 4375 

10081 5<!-2MJ 

101 AUPUHI SIHEET. IKS 7M 

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IBOSI BIS-0844 

' AX 1808) 9« I-SI 61 

June 14,2011 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington D.C. 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

Thank you again for meeting with members of the Kalaupapa community on March 

24,2011 to listen to their concerns regarding reliable and quality air service as it 

relates to the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. 

As you know, the purpose of the EAS program as established by Congress is to 

ensure tfaat small communities retain a link to the national transportation system 

and receive continued service previously provided by certified air carriers before 

deregulation. 

Kalaupapa is a remote, rural unincorporated community on the island of Molokai 

within Kalawao County. Kalaupapa is located at the base of 2,000-feet high sea 

cliffs. The Hawaii Department of Health is responsible for the administration of the 

county. 

The coonty shares the same boundaries with the Kalaupapa National Historical 

Park, and encompasses the Kalaupapa Settlement where beginning in the J860s, the 

Kingdom of Hawaii, the Republic of Hawau, the territory, and the state once exiled 

persons suffering from Hansen's disease. The Kalaupapa Peninsula was selected 

because it was both isolated and fairly inaccessible. The quarantine policy was 

lifted in 1969, after the disease became treatable on an outpatient basis and was 
2023667346 0STW85-121-XEWCP24 04:26:44 p.m. 06-

SlO-110617-001 

June 14,2011 

Page 2 

rendered non-contagioiis. However, many of the patient residents chose to remain, 

and the state has allowed them to stay there for the rest of their lives. Currently, 

there are 18 patients. 

I strongly support the U.S. Department of Transportation's position that it is io the 

public Interest to proceed with a new carrier-selection case. Full and fair 

consideration most be given to air carriers that can provide service reliability and 

have the support of the community. Thank you for your attention to thb Important 

matter. 

Aloha, 

Dia:aty 

United Statei Seiktor