Our Heritage

In Hawaiian, Moku means “island,” and Lele means “to leap” or “to hop.” When airplanes were first introduced, Native Hawaiians created the word Mokulele, as there had been no Hawaiian word for “airline.” Today, our name reflects two meanings: airline and island hopper.

We are proud of our Hawaiian heritage and honored to serve some of Hawai‘i’s smallest communities with vital air service, including Hāna, Waimea, Kapalua, and Kalaupapa.

Founded in 1994 by Rebecca “Kawehi” Inaba as Mokulele Flight Service, Mokulele Airlines has been connecting the Hawaiian Islands for over 30 years. Kawehi’s passion for aviation ran deep (her father was a pilot for Aloha Airlines) and together with partner Jules Dudoit, she helped establish the airline’s early operations by securing the certification needed to offer scenic circle-island and air tours. Those flights introduced countless visitors and residents alike to the breathtaking beauty of Hawai‘i, from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to the dramatic coastlines of Maui.

Over the decades, Mokulele evolved through six ownership changes while remaining committed to its mission of serving Hawai‘i’s communities. In February 2019, the airline entered a new chapter when its assets were acquired by Southern Airways Express. Today, under parent company Surf Air Mobility, Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines together form one of America’s largest and fastest-growing regional commuter airlines, operating one of the nation’s largest fleets of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.

While much has changed since 1994, Mokulele’s purpose remains the same: bringing people, families, businesses, and communities closer together across the islands. With continued investment in its fleet, customer experience, and next-generation aviation technologies, Mokulele is proudly building on more than three decades of service, ensuring the spirit of island connectivity continues to thrive for generations to come.

Today, as part of Surf Air Mobility, Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines are evolving, improving experience and reliability, modernizing their fleet, enhancing the journey, and moving toward an electric future.

Reliability – Safety – Aloha – Integrity – ‘Ohana

Built on reliability and safety, and carried forward with aloha, integrity, and ‘ohana, our values are at the heart of every journey, connecting people, places, and communities across Hawai‘i.