Airline to test electric hybrid for commercial flight
KAHULUI, Maui — Hybrid electric planes will be tested by an airline hoping to use them for short-haul commercial flights, officials said.
Mokulele Airlines and Ampaire, a Los Angeles-based aircraft design firm, plan to test a model hybrid on Mokulele’s Maui route between Kahului and Hana airports in September or October.
A hybrid plane would provide lower operational costs as well as additional routes and more frequent flights. Hawaii is a good fit for the service because communities rely on short-haul flights to travel between islands, the companies said.
The test plane is expected to carry up to nine passengers. Range is dependent on multiple factors, but it would be capable of flying each of Mokulele’s routes with reserves.
The collaboration will include the loan to Ampaire of Mokulele’s pilots and hangar space at Kahului Airport.
More than half at school exempted from vaccination
HALIIMAILE, Maui — The number of vaccination exemptions at one Hawaii school has grown to include more than half of its students, according to a state report.
The Haleakala Waldorf School received exemption claims from 129 of 245 students.
Haleakala Waldorf’s grade school and high school campuses in Kula and Makawao on Maui have the highest percentage of exemptions based on enrollment in the state.
Public, private and charter schools are required to submit annual vaccination information to the state Department of Health by Jan. 1. The figures are tabulated by enrollment total and percentage of enrollment claiming either religious or medical exemption.
All of Haleakala Waldorf’s exemptions are attributed to religion, the report said.