Hawaii

FAA’s grounding of jet involved in fuselage blowout cancels Hawaii flights

Published

4 months ago

January 7, 2024

FAA’s grounding of jet involved in fuselage blowout cancels Hawaii flights

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The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or flown in the United States by foreign carriers following a harrowing flight in which an Alaska Airlines jetliner was left with a gaping hole in its side.

On Friday, a fuselage panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 seven minutes after takeoff from Portland, Ore., on the plane that had been bound for Ontario, Calif. The rapid loss of cabin pressure pulled the clothes off a child and caused oxygen masks to drop from the ceiling. Pilots made a safe emergency landing. Alaska Airlines officials said several passengers suffered injuries that required medical attention; however, all have now been medically cleared.

The Alaska Airlines incident did not involve a Hawaii flight, but the nearly brand-new plane involved in the fuselage blowout has flown between the islands and the continental U.S. before. Alaska said it took delivery of the plane on Oct. 31.

The incident’s importance in Hawaii also is elevated as Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is in the process of buying kamaaina company Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that was announced in December.

Subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, the deal is expected to close over a 12 to 18 month period. If approved, the deal would mean that Alaska, the nation’s fifth-largest airline, would grow to a fleet of 365 airplanes serving 138 destinations.

Daniel Chun, regional vice president Hawaii for Alaska Airlines, said in an email, “While we are immediately focused on taking care of our impacted guests and employees and working to conduct a review of what occurred last night, this incident does not impact our ongoing plans to combine with Hawaiian Airlines. This strategic decision remains on course and is rooted in a shared vision to enhance our service offerings and customer experience for all guests and the people of Hawaii.”

Chun said the grounding of Alaska’s 737 MAX 9 planes led to multiple Hawaii flight cancellations for Alaska Airlines, including two flights on Friday, and at least 15 on Saturday. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, system-wide, the airline had canceled 160 total flights, affecting roughly 23,000 passengers. The airline said it expects disruptions to last through at least midweek.

“We deeply apologize for the significant impact this has on our guests. Guests whose travel has been impacted can go online to view flight options and re-book travel, place the value of their ticket in their Mileage Plan Wallet for future use, or request a refund,” Chun said. “Additionally, we are providing support to our crew and other employees affected by this event through our Employee Assistance Program.”

The FAA’s emergency order on Saturday, which releases 737 MAX 9 planes back into service once inspections are completed, resulted in Alaska and United Airlines delaying or cancelling hundreds of flights.

The FAA has said that the inspections would affect 171 planes worldwide and are likely to take four to eight hours each. Alaska, which has 65 of the 737 Max 9 planes, and United, which has 79, are working their way through the required inspections.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement Saturday, “The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight. Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the (National Transportation Safety Board’s) investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.”

Boeing, based in Arlington, Va., issued a statement saying it supported the FAA’s decision to require immediate inspections. Boeing said it was providing technical help to the investigators.

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci took precautionary actions in advance of the FAA directive. Following the incident Friday, he announced that the airline was grounding its fleet of 737 MAX 9s and would not return them to service before performing full maintenance and safety checks.

“We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight, and will share updates as more information is available. The NTSB is investigating this event and we will fully support their investigation,” Minicucci said. “My heart goes out to those who were on this flight — I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants.”

Alaska Airlines officials said that 18 of its 737-9 MAX aircraft had received in-depth inspections as part of heavy maintenance checks and continued in service Saturday until the carrier received the FAA’s Emergency Airworthiness Directive.

“These aircraft have now also been pulled from service until details about possible additional maintenance work are confirmed with the FAA,” Alaska Airlines said. “We are in touch with the FAA to determine what, if any, further work is required before these aircraft are returned to service.”

United Airlines said it had inspected 33 of its 79 Max 9s, and pulling the planes from service had caused about 60 canceled flights.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority said Saturday that it is closely monitoring the FAA’s order.

HTA said in statement, “We advise those traveling to or from the Hawaiian Islands today to check with their airline or travel advisor for any possible schedule changes as a result of this safety measure.”

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The Associated Press and Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter Peter Boylan contributed to this report.

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Hawaii

Bodendorf shines out of bullpen as Hawaii evens baseball series with Long Beach

Published

6 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Bodendorf shines out of bullpen as Hawaii evens baseball series with Long Beach

A Big West championship is out of the grasp of the Hawaii baseball team. A winning Big West record? Harrison Bodendorf could help with that.

The sophomore left-hander struck out a career-best 10 batters in four innings of relief as the Rainbow Warriors beat Long Beach State 7-2 to even the three-game road series at Blair Field in Long Beach, California, on Saturday.

UH (33-16) improved to 16-10 in the Big West with four games remaining, guaranteeing a winning conference record for the third straight year of Rich Hill’s three-year tenure. Prior to the arrival of the ex-San Diego coach, UH had never posted a winning record in nine years of Big West play.

The ‘Bows had their 11-game winning streak snapped on Friday. UC Santa Barbara (22-4 BWC) has all but sewn up the league title, and UC Irvine is solidly in second at 19-7. However, UH is still in contention for a top-three finish with Cal Poly a game ahead at 17-9.

Randy Abshier got the start and went five innings, extending his streak of innings without an earned run to 17 1/3, although he was charged with an unearned run in the third. Itsuki Takemoto (3-1) got the win with an inning of middle relief.

But Bodendorf was stellar, striking out 10 of the 17 Dirtbags he faced to pick up his second save of the season. His previous high in strikeouts was eight.

Jake Tsukada went 3-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch and catcher Austin Machado was 3-for-5. Dallas Duarte, who has appeared more frequently at designated hitter in the final handful of games of his college career, went 2-for-5.

UH and LBSU (24-26-1, 9-17) conclude the series at 10 a.m. Hawaii time Sunday.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.

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Hawaii

Kamehameha Hawaii takes down Damien, 12-1 for first DII State crown since 2016

Published

13 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Kamehameha Hawaii takes down Damien, 12-1 for first DII State crown since 2016

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Koa Head Trophy returns to the Big Island.

Kamehameha Hawaii are the 2024 HHSAA Division II State Champions after a whopping 12-1 rout of Damien Saturday morning at Moanalua High School.

It was a high flying affair from the start as the Warriors put up nine runs in the first inning alone.

The Warriors captures its second State Championship in program history.

We just needed to adjust to the weather to where we’re playing and who we’re playing against,” Warriors pitcher Shiloh Santos said. “The rain wasn’t much of an issue for us because, you know, out in Hilo it’s raining, it’s raining a lot.”

Pitcher Shiloh Santos tossed a full five innings allowing four hits, one run and one strike out on 78 pitches.

We wanted it, we wanted it for Hilo, we want it for our school, we want it for our families, we want it for each other and that’s really important to us.”

Kamehameha Hawaii ends the season with a 16-1 record.

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Hawaii

10th annual Hawaii Comedy Festival celebrates AAPI stories

Published

20 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

10th annual Hawaii Comedy Festival celebrates AAPI stories

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The 10th annual Hawaii Comedy Festival is celebrating AANHPI month with improv, sketch, musical, and stand-up comedy by an all-star cast of talent from across Hawaii and the continent.

Kimee Balmilero, founder of the Hawaii Comedy Festival, Will Choi, founder of comedy troupe Asian AF, and Anette Aga, founder of comedy troupe Polynesian AF, joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about their special variety show and workshops happening today.

The Hawaii Comedy Festival Variety Show starts at 7 p.m. tonight at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre, 900 S. Beretania St. Tickets are $35.

Parking is available behind the Honolulu Museum of Art School, 1111 Victoria Street, for $5 for the first 5 hours. $2 for every additional 30 minutes. Cash only.

The Hawaii Comedy Festival is also hosting workshops today. Tickets are $35 each:

Characters Workshop: Albert Franz Dance Studio, 419 South St., Suite 140, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Write a Comedic Song: Improv Hawaii’s Tiny Stage, 419 South Street. Suite 163, 12-2 p.m.
Intro to Musical Improv Workshop: Albert Franz Dance Studio, 419 South St., Suite 140, 2-4 p.m.
Improv Openings Workshop: The Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre, 900 S. Beretania St., 2:30-4:30 p.m.

For tickets and information, visit hicomedyfest.com and follow @hicomedyfest on Instagram.

The cast includes:

Alfred Aquino II (Filipino AF, Netflix is a Joke, Dropout, UCB LA)
Allyn Pintal (Filipino AF, UCB LA, Wong Fu Productions, Earlwolf Presents: Dragons AF)
Anette Aga (Polynesian AF – producer, Improv Hawai’i, Kumu Kahua Theatre)
Daryl Jim Diaz (Filipino AF, Gaysian AF, UCB LA, Quick and Funny Musicals)
Elexis Draine (Polynesian AF, Kumu Kahua Theatre)
Gilbert Galon (Filipino AF, Tiger Belly, UCB LA)
Jiavani (Filipino AF, Gaysian AF, Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Cartoon Network, Reno 911: Defunded)
Jose Ver (Filipino AF, Improv Hawai’i, Magnum P.I., Waikikii PD)
Joy Regullano (Filipino AF, Barry, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Modern Family, Supportive White Parents)
Kaliko Fase (Polynesian AF, Improv Hawai’i, Magnum P.I., Hawai’i Five-0)
Kay Kaanapu (Filipino AF, San Francisco Sketchfest)
Kimee Balmilero (Filipino AF, Hawai’i Comedy Fest – founder, Hawai’i Five-0, Doogie Kamealoha)
La Fa’amausili-Siliato (Polynesian AF, Diamond Head Theatre)
Marni Ramirez (Polynesian AF, Improv Hawai’i, Waikiki PD)
Matt Soriano (Improv Hawai’i, Yes, And Dragons)
Arinex Poasa (Polynesian AF, Improv Hawai’i, Next Goal Wins)
Ryan Okinaka (Polynesian AF, Improv Hawai’i, Hawai’i Five-0, Doogie Kamealoha MD)
Sarah Claspell (Asian AF, UCB LA, Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
Shilpa Das (South Asian AF, UCB LA, Quick and Funny Musicals, Laugh Factory)
Vince Yap (Filipino AF, The Rookie, General Hospital, American Horror Stories)
Will Choi (Asian AF – co-founder, BoJack Horseman, Bob’s Burgers, Central Park )
Sean Joseph Choo (Polynesian AF, Improv Hawai’i, Magnum PI, Kumu Kahua Theatre)
Alex Song-Xia (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Rick and Morty, High Maintenance, Dimension 20)