Kauai leaders brighten
as United adds flight

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

A United Airlines announcement about the addition of another direct flight to Kauai brought applause from Garden Island government and tourism officials.

The flights between San Francisco and Lihue will operate on Saturdays June 12 through Aug. 28. Like the current schedule of daily flights from Los Angeles, the flights will use Boeing 757 aircraft seating 188 passengers.

"This is the best possible news," said Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka. "United has given Kauai a huge vote of confidence in opening up another direct route to Lihue. We have all been delighted with the success of the Los Angeles direct flight and this is surely a signal to the travel trade that Kauai's visitor industry is thriving."

Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, said: "I'm ecstatic to hear United is adding a second flight. It is a pretty substantial boost."

Kanoho said Sun Trips charter service just started a new direct flight from San Francisco on Fridays. Other than two seasonal Canadian charter services, that is the extent of direct international flights to the island.

She said there was a 15 percent growth in tourism on Kauai last month. "Our westbound number increased significantly when United started the L.A. direct service," Kanoho said.