Aloha Airlines will stop flying Monday after serving Hawaii travelers for 61 years. Read the Pacific Business News article here.

Live Maui Webcast Commentary:

It’s a sad day for Hawaii. The airline that’s been around for over 60 years has halted their operations, their jets parked in a plane graveyard at Honolulu International Airport.

I can’t help but feel a bit of nostalgia. On a recent trip to the Big Island I had one of “those moments” while I was sitting at Hilo Airport waiting for my flight. The retro design airplane (at left) with it’s unmistakable “Aloha” markings landed and pulled up and I suddenly pondered that word and what it means.

Far beyond “hello” or “goodbye”, it signifies a deeper spiritual meaning. ‘Alo’ in Hawaiian means as much as “face, facade or appearance” and ‘ha’, the “breath of life.” When one utters the word Aloha and at the same time feels the depth and significance of what it stands for, one uses it in a way that says: ” I recognize the (same) breath of life within you as I have within, and wish to present from me.”

And while there might be one less airline with which to fly to Hawaii, there are still other options and we most certainly encourage all of you who have a thirst for a deeper and more spiritually significant wedding experience to come to Maui and share the breath of life with us. You will be richly rewarded.

With Kind Regards and Warm Aloha,
Stephan