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From: LeAnna Dixon [lbdixon65@gmail.com] : NiQPfy^'y^yii^j?' 

Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 9:36 PIVI .'••:'-;T^cAtii/'"'" 

To: Devany, Dennis (OST); EAS (OST) 

Subject: Answer to Pacific Wings' Petition for Reconsideration. 

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The following is in regard to Pacific Wings' petition for reconsideration of the award of 

the Essential Air Service subsidy to Makani Kai, citing deficiencies in the award process. 

I arrived on the peninsula mid-August and make barely $30,000 per year. I could never 

have afforded nearly $500 round trip for an 8-minute flight topside which, in my opinion, 

is criminal. And due to several medical issues, hiking topside was (and still is) a 

daunting task for me. While Pacific Wings was the carrier for the Kalaupapa peninsula 

(August-December 2011), I made zero flights and only hiked the trail one time. Nearly 

everyone living down here would hike the trail, if they are able, over paying the 

exorbitant prices being charged by Pacific Wings. I am THANKFUL that Makani Kai 

was awarded the EAS. I am now able to get to Honolulu for my medical appointments 

and do not have to worry about bankrupting myself for airfare. This is especially 

important for me since I was recently diagnosed with cancer and will be flying there 

often. I was very worried that I would have to hike topside and catch a flight from 

Ho'olehua every time I needed to go. It is a relief to know that now I can easily fly from 

my home and back. 

I have been back on the peninsula for little over a week now after being out for surgery. 

The most striking thing that I have noticed since I've come back is that the tour bus is 

now nearly full instead of nearly empty when I see it go by. I do not know the 

breakdown, but I cannot help but think that Makani Kai's affordable airfare is at least 

partially responsible for this. I suspect, therefore, that Pacific Wings' claim that ridership 

has NOT been affected by their pricing is not completely accurate - if not an outright lie. 

I read in the original award that one of Pacific Wings claims was that there were no 

complaints against them. Interesting. I don't know about "official complaints" but, when 

they were the only carrier, any time their name came up in conversation around here there 

was certainly nothing BUT complaints about them - primarily for their pricing, but also 

for taking away the ramp used by the patients. Really? 

It seems as though Pacific Wings is citing deficiencies in the award process more than 

anything, however. I have heard that they were late in filing their petition. If this is true, 

their appeal should be thrown out on that alone - if one wants to cite following the rules 

of the process as the failure, it should apply in both directions. 

The people of Kalaupapa are excited about the change. It has really revitalized our 

community. There is also peace of mind knowing that we are able to get out more easily. 
more often, and more affordably than our previous option allowed. This also means that 

more people will be able to visit this very, very special place and learn about its history. 

Makani Kai has been very receptive to our needs in making their schedule, allowing us to 

be able to get to and from work and to/from Honolulu. Please don't reward Pacific 

Wings' bullying behavior by taking this new lifeline away from us. 

LeAnna Lang, PO Box 29, Kalaupapa, HI 96742 

lbdixon65 @ gmail.com