Interisland carrier Mokulele Airlines is rolling out its first membership rewards program and has agreed to offer Alaska Airlines' mileage plan to its customers.

Under the agreement with Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, members will earn 500 miles for each one-way flight on Mokulele beginning Dec. 15. Members will be able to redeem awards on Mokulele in early 2009 once the airline completes its e-ticketing system.

“;These programs are huge,”; said Bill Boyer, Mokulele's president and chief executive officer. “;Those who travel frequently know the importance of frequent flier miles.”;

Mokulele also expects to have a code-share agreement with Alaska early next year, he said. Code-sharing allows a carrier to sell seats on another airline.

The Mokulele Alii Rewards Program, scheduled to launch next week, will allow a limited number of customers to lock in a set price and immediately have member benefits, including a free one-way ticket for monthly payers or round-trip ticket if members pay in full, according to Boyer.

“;We've come up with the idea of hedging seats, so members will never pay higher than a certain seat for the year if they are part of the plan,”; he said. “;That is so valuable because people will be guaranteed a price.”;

Kailua-Kona-based Mokulele offers 85 flights daily from Honolulu, Kapalua, Kona, Lanai, Lihue and Molokai. In early 2009, Mokulele will offer service to Kahului and Hilo, adding 14 flights a day.

Mileage plan members can earn double miles, or 1,000 miles per segment, for travel on Mokulele from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28.

“;It gives the community and the people of Hawaii more choices to get off the island with 15 mileage partners,”; Boyer said.

Alaska has six daily flights from Anchorage and Seattle to Honolulu, Maui, Lihue and Kona.

“;Hawaii is a big draw,”; said Marianne Lindsey, Alaska Airlines spokeswoman. “;Where we've had some flights not doing well in other cities, despite the economy, Alaska Airlines flights to Hawaii are full right now.”;

Other Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan partners include American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Era Aviation, Horizon Air, KLM, Korean Air, LAN, Northwest Airlines, PenAir and Qantas.

The mileage program offers additional ways to earn miles through a network of partners, including the Alaska Airlines Visa credit and debit cards, mileage plan shopping and dining, Safeway, and more than 30 hotel and car rental partners worldwide.