Kamaka Air

[Aerobat007]

can anyone give me some good info on this cargo hauler out of honolulu?

I know they fly DC-3s, thats about it.

Thanks

 

[RJP]

I think it's "A" DC-3.

Belive they got shut down a while back but are now back up with one a/c. Cool to see a DC-3 cruising around.

 

[dash8driver]

... just stopped in to make a post after RJP.

 

[wasp junior]

For the record, Kamaka Air has never been "shut down"...you may be referring to Genavco which previously operated the DC-3 until the owner sadly passed away. Kamaka took over the hangar and aircraft and fully refurbished and restored the "3" and utilizes two Beech 18's along with it to provide service to Molokai, Lanai, and Maui.

Its a Mom and Pop operation and in my opinion, the owner is the most honest and good man I've ever had the pleasure of working for.

If you are in Hawaii, stop by, if it isn't "primetime" when everyone is working their butt off, someone will surely show you around and answer your questions. They are very proud of their airplanes, and proud of the work they do. Its a tight knit group, but there is always room for folks who want to be there (and prove it by busting "A").

 

[Aerobat007]

wasp thanks i am in hawaii and looking for a job, I will stop in. Have you worked there in the past?

 

[wasp junior]

yep...and it was the best year of my life...
so far, i guess, gotta stay optimistic...
stop by and introduce yourself....

 

[Aerobat007]

thanks ill do that, if i might ask where do you work now??

 

[English]

I have a friend that used to work there. She said she swept floors, cleaned the hangar and did light maintanance on the aircraft (she isn't a mechanic) in exchange for "right seat time". She was never paid.

I wasn't too impressed with what I heard. Hopefully, you are trying for a paid pilot position.

 

[Jim]

Its a Mom and Pop operation and in my opinion, the owner is the most honest and good man I've ever had the pleasure of working for.

Is that a furloughed HAL pilot that used to fly Isreali F-15s? He talked about doing this around 1 1/2 years ago. I wondered if he ever did.

 

[wasp junior]

All employees are paid.

Some people though really love being around these old planes, and some people will hang out just to have a chance to work on them, or better yet, get some time in them.

Some people want to wear the starchy uniforms and the big watch and roll their luggage through the terminal for all to see.

Others want to get dirt under their nails, grease in their hair, and say, "whoo yeah", when the round engines turn over and blow smoke in thier face.

I'm glad this isn't the military, there is room for all of us to be who we want in aviation. Kamaka is not for everyone, but I haven't found any other operation like it here. There is always pay for training down the ramp....yeah....

 

[Aerobat007]

I appreciate all sides of the story and any more from anyone else, I for sure dont mind getting my hands dirty actually i like getting my hands dirty, ehat i dont like is not getting paid, thats just not an option, and as for PFT no sir dont like it, and i wont do it. Wasp do you fly here on the Islands? Anyone else have any ideas about kamaka or any other flying gigs here on oahu. Mahalo!