Scary Plane Ride to Maui

[Dos Equis]

I was in Hana, Maui yesterday for business.  The options to get there are fly into Kahului, rent a car, drive two hours to Hana, or fly a prop plane directly into Hana.  The Hana airport is tiny (9 seat waiting room) and can only accommodate prop planes.  So, I chose the prop plane, not wanting to spend 4 hours driving. 

I show up at the ticket counter and the PILOT is working the ticket counter of this very small airline.  I'm already concerned.  Then when checking me in they ask how much I weigh.     The plane is so small they seat you according to your weight.  Because they caught me of guard, I didn't include the 5 pounds I gained over the holidays.     Now I'm really getting worried (and conflicted over whether I should disclose my underreported weight).    

When it was time to leave, they didn't announce boarding over the intercom, the pilot came and rounded up the passengers.  All 9 of us.  It was a 9-seater.  Smallest plane I've ever seen.  Only slightly bigger than my minivan.  We then squeeze on the plane and we have a bumpy ride (most bumpy ride since riding in a helicopter in the Army).  Naturally, they seat me in the back of the plane.    

We had to make a pit stop on the island of Molokai to drop off newspapers.  The Molokai landing strip is about the size of a football field.  As we're landing I saw the wreckage of a small plane on a grassy area nearing the landing strip.  No joke.  At this point, I'm saying a few Hail Mary's, and I'm not even Catholic.   

We take off again and land in Hana.  You could literally feel the tires hit the ground.  Felt like Fred Flintstone using his feet as brakes.  Very spooky.  I'm going to make the 4 hour drive next time.

[body88]

The weird thing about it is, you have a far better chance of being hurt in the four hour drive than the plane ride.

[Dos Equis]

The weird thing about it is, you have a far better chance of being hurt in the four hour drive than the plane ride.

True, particularly since many portions of the road to Hana, including most of the bridges, only have one lane.  But at least I'll have a little more control over my travel and/or death.   

[body88]

True, particularly since many portions of the road to Hana, including most of the bridges, only have one lane.  But at least I'll have a little more control over my travel and/or death.   

I dont blame you!

[onlyme]

Take the drive cause it is cool. Bt only if you have time.  You should see the airport on Molokai at Kalaupapa (the leper colony).  You can walk, take mule ride or fly into the little town.  The airplane ride is $100 from Molokai airport to the little town of less than 50.  I have walked it several times and it is by far the hardest hike around.  Unreal.  But I sense the Hana airport is about the size of this airport.  I wonder what would happen if I showed up to fly to Hana.  I would ruin a quick trip for about 4 people.

[Dos Equis]

Take the drive cause it is cool. Bt only if you have time.  You should see the airport on Molokai at Kalaupapa (the leper colony).  You can walk, take mule ride or fly into the little town.  The airplane ride is $100 from Molokai airport to the little town of less than 50.  I have walked it several times and it is by far the hardest hike around.  Unreal.  But I sense the Hana airport is about the size of this airport.  I wonder what would happen if I showed up to fly to Hana.  I would ruin a quick trip for about 4 people.

lol.  Dude you would definitely be in the back of the plane too.     I was talking to some of my female staff about it today and they said they were forced to get on the scale when they flew to Hana.   

I read Father Damien’s biography "Holy Man."  Great story.  I'm going to visit Kalaupapa one day.  I want to do the mule ride.   

[Butterbean]

Was there a toilet on the plane?

[Dan-O]

Was there a toilet on the plane?

Hypothetical question:  What would you do if there wasn't a toilet and you had to pee?

[Hulkster]

I'd take a dump in the fucking cockpit.

[Dos Equis]

Was there a toilet on the plane?

No.  And I had to go.  Badly.  That plane was not nearly big enough for a bathroom.  I could practically lean forward and smack the pilot in the back of the head.   

[24KT]

Hey Beach,

Thanks for the laugh. I can only imagine what must have been running through your mind.
Never thought of you as a white knuckle flyer though. I probably would have cried like a little girl the whole time. 

ps - next time, bring an empty pop bottle on board. I hear they can be great in a pinch. 

[onlyme]

Was there a toilet on the plane?

The flight is really short.  I don't think it leaves from Honolulu to Hana.  But, maybe.  If so then the floght would only be an hour or so from Honolulu.  I would think he left from Kahului so the flight was probably 30 minutes or so.  I used to fly with my friend in his Cessna 250(?) which was a single prop plane to Catalina all the time.  I remember the first time we were taking off from Hawthorne airport in LA and I was only about 240 at the time and we were going down the runway and he kept saying I hope we can get off the ground.  He waited till the very end to lift off.  And if you ever flown into Catalina Island now thats an airport that no one likes.  Very short runway atop a hill with a drop off at the end of the runway.  Very scary

[Dos Equis]

Hey Beach,

Thanks for the laugh. I can only imagine what must have been running through your mind.
Never thought of you as a white knuckle flyer though. I probably would have cried like a little girl the whole time. 

ps - next time, bring an empty pop bottle on board. I hear they can be great in a pinch. 

What was running through my mind?  [Scene from inside Beach Bum's pea brain]:  "Man the wife and kids are about to get PAID!"  I have lots of life insurance.  Probably too much.   

And I'm not a white knuckle flyer . . . unless I'm on a plane so small I could probably bench it for a few reps.

[Dos Equis]

The flight is really short.  I don't think it leaves from Honolulu to Hana.  But, maybe.  If so then the floght would only be an hour or so from Honolulu. 

I flew from Honolulu, so you're right it was about an hour.  It's only about 20 minutes or so from Honolulu to Kahului on Hawaiian Airlines. 

[24KT]

What was running through my mind?  [Scene from inside Beach Bum's pea brain]:  "Man the wife and kids are about to get PAID!"  I have lots of life insurance.  Probably too much.   

And I'm not a white knuckle flyer . . . unless I'm on a plane so small I could probably bench it for a few reps.

{giggle}   

[240 is Back]

And I'm not a white knuckle flyer . . . unless I'm on a plane so small I could probably bench it for a few reps.

I didn't know they made an 85 pound plane.

[Dos Equis]

I didn't know they made an 85 pound plane.

 

[Rearden Metal]

I didn't know they made an 85 pound plane.

Lawl!

[Princess L]

I was in Hana, Maui yesterday for business.  The options to get there are fly into Kahului, rent a car, drive two hours to Hana, or fly a prop plane directly into Hana.  The Hana airport is tiny (9 seat waiting room) and can only accommodate prop planes.  So, I chose the prop plane, not wanting to spend 4 hours driving. 

I show up at the ticket counter and the PILOT is working the ticket counter of this very small airline.  I'm already concerned.  Then when checking me in they ask how much I weigh.     The plane is so small they seat you according to your weight.  Because they caught me of guard, I didn't include the 5 pounds I gained over the holidays.     Now I'm really getting worried (and conflicted over whether I should disclose my underreported weight).    

When it was time to leave, they didn't announce boarding over the intercom, the pilot came and rounded up the passengers.  All 9 of us.  It was a 9-seater.  Smallest plane I've ever seen.  Only slightly bigger than my minivan.  We then squeeze on the plane and we have a bumpy ride (most bumpy ride since riding in a helicopter in the Army).  Naturally, they seat me in the back of the plane.    

We had to make a pit stop on the island of Molokai to drop off newspapers.  The Molokai landing strip is about the size of a football field.  As we're landing I saw the wreckage of a small plane on a grassy area nearing the landing strip.  No joke.  At this point, I'm saying a few Hail Mary's, and I'm not even Catholic.   

We take off again and land in Hana.  You could literally feel the tires hit the ground.  Felt like Fred Flintstone using his feet as brakes.  Very spooky.  I'm going to make the 4 hour drive next time.

What kind of 'business' could you possibly have in Hana    There's nothing there!

I arrived on Molokai (the Ranch) the day after this http://starbulletin.com/2000/05/11/news/story1.html
The crash happened smack dab in the middle of some sacred (blessed) ground where some fesival was to take place. 

We were practically the only ones on the ranch other than an investigator from the plane mfgr.  He was waiting for others from the FAA investigative team to arrive from the mainland.  It took them several days to arrive so in the meantime, we spent a lot of time chatting.  Very interesting process - putting the pieces back together (literally) after a crash.  Interestingly, we discovered in our conversations that I went to high school with his cousins (big/small world)

[Dos Equis]

What kind of 'business' could you possibly have in Hana    There's nothing there!

I arrived on Molokai (the Ranch) the day after this http://starbulletin.com/2000/05/11/news/story1.html
The crash happened smack dab in the middle of some sacred (blessed) ground where some fesival was to take place. 

We were practically the only ones on the ranch other than an investigator from the plane mfgr.  He was waiting for others from the FAA investigative team to arrive from the mainland.  It took them several days to arrive so in the meantime, we spent a lot of time chatting.  Very interesting process - putting the pieces back together (literally) after a crash.  Interestingly, we discovered in our conversations that I went to high school with his cousins (big/small world)

Hana is beautiful.  Lots of celebs have property there.  I was right across the street from Weird Al Yankovic's (sp?) place and next door to a house built by the guy who wrote the Doom books (never read them).  Had a 4 hour business meeting with a breathtaking view of the ocean on the lanai of an oceanfront home.  I HATE meetings, but I could do that one again, often, without the prop plane.   

Those plane crashes are a nightmare.  Not just when there is a tragic loss of life, but the FAA always investigates.  The state is involved.  People sue.  It's really a mess. 

[ToxicAvenger]

I was in Hana, Maui yesterday for business.  The options to get there are fly into Kahului, rent a car, drive two hours to Hana, or fly a prop plane directly into Hana.  The Hana airport is tiny (9 seat waiting room) and can only accommodate prop planes.  So, I chose the prop plane, not wanting to spend 4 hours driving. 

I show up at the ticket counter and the PILOT is working the ticket counter of this very small airline.  I'm already concerned.  Then when checking me in they ask how much I weigh.     The plane is so small they seat you according to your weight.  Because they caught me of guard, I didn't include the 5 pounds I gained over the holidays.     Now I'm really getting worried (and conflicted over whether I should disclose my underreported weight).    

When it was time to leave, they didn't announce boarding over the intercom, the pilot came and rounded up the passengers.  All 9 of us.  It was a 9-seater.  Smallest plane I've ever seen.  Only slightly bigger than my minivan.  We then squeeze on the plane and we have a bumpy ride (most bumpy ride since riding in a helicopter in the Army).  Naturally, they seat me in the back of the plane.    

We had to make a pit stop on the island of Molokai to drop off newspapers.  The Molokai landing strip is about the size of a football field.  As we're landing I saw the wreckage of a small plane on a grassy area nearing the landing strip.  No joke.  At this point, I'm saying a few Hail Mary's, and I'm not even Catholic.   

We take off again and land in Hana.  You could literally feel the tires hit the ground.  Felt like Fred Flintstone using his feet as brakes.  Very spooky.  I'm going to make the 4 hour drive next time.

fuck mate..once i got over the airfield..i woulda jumped! 

yeeeeehawwww!

[Dos Equis]

f**k mate..once i got over the airfield..i woulda jumped! 

yeeeeehawwww!

I actually could have opened the door and done just that.  The plane was that small.     They ought to give you a parachute instead of the "floatation device" on those cute little planes. 

[ToxicAvenger]

They ought to give you a parachute instead of the "floatation device" on those cute little planes. 

i wus kidding..cause what u say is actually illegal..

gi figure eh...

[onlyme]

What kind of 'business' could you possibly have in Hana    There's nothing there!

I arrived on Molokai (the Ranch) the day after this http://starbulletin.com/2000/05/11/news/story1.html
The crash happened smack dab in the middle of some sacred (blessed) ground where some fesival was to take place. 

We were practically the only ones on the ranch other than an investigator from the plane mfgr.  He was waiting for others from the FAA investigative team to arrive from the mainland.  It took them several days to arrive so in the meantime, we spent a lot of time chatting.  Very interesting process - putting the pieces back together (literally) after a crash.  Interestingly, we discovered in our conversations that I went to high school with his cousins (big/small world)

"L" did you go down to Kalaupapa.

[Princess L]

"L" did you go down to Kalaupapa.

Yes.  Mostly what I remember is a giant rock in the shape of a phallic symbol.