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NEILABERCROMBIE 

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'0 A ii: ^q STATE OF HAWAII 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

P.O. BOX 3378 

HONOLULU, HI 96801-3378 

June 9, 2011 

LOREHA J, FUDDY, A.M.W., M.P.H. 

OnCTCnCr HEALTH 

lnitpV,pJt>»nlirta: 

Mr. Dennis J. DeVany 

Chief, Essential Air Service Division, X-53 

U. S. Department of Transportation 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

Re: Essential Air Service Opening For Kalaupapa, Island of Molokal, Hawaii 

Dear Mr. DeVany: 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Essential Air Service (HAS) Request 

for Proposal (RFP) opening for Kalaupapa, Island of Molokal, Hawaii. Kalaupapa is a 

remote, rural location that can only be accessed by airplane or a 2,000 foot high, 26 

switch-back foot trail. The Kalaupapa patient population ranges in age from 69 to 87 

and many residents are unable to use the trail. Therefore, air service is critical to the 

movement of people to and from the Settlement. 

The current provider's, Pacific Wings', increased air fares have worked contrary to the 

purpose for an EAS. While they do not currently receive an EAS subsidy, they have 

raised their round trip rates from $146 to $498. The total passenger load carried into 

Kalaupapa has dwindled from over 3,000 annually to as low as 900 this past year. 

The Department of Health pays for air travel cost for patients requiring medical care in 

Honolulu. Increased airfare cost has resulted in great Inconvenience to the patients as 

they have extended their stays in Honolulu up to one month to consolidate medical 

visits to save on travel cost. This has resulted in a substantial decrease in patient 

medical travel from 107 round trips in 2009 to 71 in 2010-11. 

In addition, assertions have been made that fares are unimportant to the patients since 

the Department of Health pays for their air travel. As stated above, only travel for 

patient medical care is paid by the Department of Health. Kalaupapa residents and 

visitors want lower airfares similar other airfares to and from the rest of Molokal Island. 

Department of Health has sustained budget restrictions as a result of lower state 

revenues, therefore increase in travel cost will have a negative impact upon service 

delivery. 

Travel for patients' personal business, their family and friends travel and all visitors who 

come into the settlement are paid out of their own pocket. All travelers to Kalaupapa 
Re: Essential Air Service Opening For Kalaupapa, Island of Molokal, Hawaii 

Page 2 

have been negatively impacted by the high fare now charged. Times for scheduled 

flights are an important consideration. The selected provider should have a schedule 

that permits residents to go out in the morning and return in the late afternoon for 

medical appointments and shopping, plus a mid-day flight to Honolulu to accommodate 

the visitor and business traffic. 

Service from a provider that has a positive safety record in Hawaii, is financially stable, 

able to provide EAS service for the 2-year contract period, and a track record operating 

scheduled commercial services with positive on-time service records In Hawaii is 

important. The provider should have aircraft capable of operating within the airport 

restrictions (9-passenger maximum) with enough equipment to keep reliable and ontime service operating during all seasons of the year. The chosen provider should also 

provide necessities, like wheel chair accessible equipment and aircraft that can easily 

accommodate wheelchair restricted passengers. 

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the EAS RFP for Kalaupapa. 

Sincerely, 

Glenn Wasserman, M,D., M.P.H. 

Chief, Communicable Disease Division 

State of Hawaii Department of Health 

c: 

Brian Swanson 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Brian.swanson(a>dot.aov 

Loretta Fuddy, ACSW, MPH 

Director of Health 

Loretta.fuddvtSidoh.hawaii.gov 

Alan Yamamoto 

Office of Senator Daniel Inouye 

Alan vamamoto(a).inouve.senate.aov 

Glenn Okimoto 

Director, Hawaii Department of Transportation 

Glenn.okimotofa)hawaii.qov 

Margaret Cummisky (Appropriations) 

Margaret cummiskv(a)appro.senate.gov 

Susan Kern 

Attorney General 

susan.r.kernfa>hawaii.gov 

Michael Maruyama 

Hansen's Disease Branch 

Michael.maruvamafa)doh.hawaii.gov 

Stephen Prokop 

Kalaupapa National Park Service 

Steve prokODfainps.qov