I flew from Maui to the Big Island of Hawaii for $66. Here's what it was like and why I totally recommend it.

Ashley ProbstApr 24, 2022, 21:15 IST

The plane I flew on when island-hopping in Hawaii was meant for 10 passengers.Ashley Probst

I grew up in Hawaii, and I flew from Maui to the Big Island of Hawaii on a 40-minute flight.
The booking was inadvertently made on a 10-seater commuter plane for only $66.

While growing up on Maui, I often visited family on neighboring islands and quickly became accustomed to the quick flight.

Me being driven from Lahaina to the airport in Kahului.Ashley Probst

During the drive to the airport, I got to see wildlife, like whales and butterflies.

I could see a butterfly and a couple of whales off in the distance.Ashley Probst

I arrived at the airport over an hour before my departure time.

The welcome sign at Kahului Airport.Ashley Probst

But I soon realized that I didn't know the airport as well as I thought.

The commuter terminal at Kahului Airport, which is in a separate building from the main airport.Ashley Probst

All passengers had to stand in line to check in for our flights.

The check-in counter at Mokulele Airlines.Ashley Probst

There was no security check to go through, so I found a seat in the open-air terminal to wait for my boarding call.

A view of the West Maui Mountains from the commuter terminal.Ashley Probst

The terminal didn't have much inside.

A lounge area in the commuter terminal with vending machines.Ashley Probst

Once they announced our plane was ready to board, the pilot met us in the terminal and gave us our seat assignments.

The artwork on this commuter plane featured a depiction of Pele, the Hawaiian creation goddess, on its tail.Ashley Probst

As expected, the plane was tiny both inside and out.

The "low ceiling" sign posted in the cabin was no joke.Ashley Probst

The seat belts were a little different than on standard passenger planes.

Me, fully buckled in with my seat belt, and ready for takeoff.Ashley Probst

Before taking off, our pilot hopped out and appeared to fix something on the wing.

Our pilot seemingly needed to adjust something on the plane before takeoff.Ashley Probst

Still, we were taxiing on the runway only about five minutes after boarding.

My view from the third row of our 10-seater plane shortly after takeoff.Ashley Probst

A majority of the flight was essentially a tour of Maui's north shore.

One of my favorite shots from the flight — a view overlooking the Maui Country Club in Paia.Ashley Probst

Halfway through the flight, I noticed that the aviation GPS was in my line of sight.

My view of the aeronautical chart from my seat on the plane.Ashley Probst

Some of my favorite views were of the Road to Hana and various waterfalls that connected with the ocean.

A view of the Road to Hana.Ashley Probst

Even the cloud cover was absolutely stunning.

White, puffy clouds covered Maui.Ashley Probst

Once we reached the island's edge, I shifted my focus to try to spot some more whales.

The view as we flew over the east edge of Maui toward the Big Island.Ashley Probst

When we started to descend, the turbulence actually gave me a welcomed sense of nostalgia.

Our plane coming in for a landing on the Big Island.Ashley Probst

Our final view was of what locals call "brownie brittle."

You don't want to try taking a bite of this brownie brittle.Ashley Probst

We landed almost exactly 40 minutes after takeoff and, before we deplaned, all of the passengers took a group photo.

All 10 passengers of our commuter flight to the Big Island.Ashley Probst

Before I left the airport, I took one more picture of the plane.

Another side of the commuter plane.Ashley Probst

Overall, this intimate flying experience was top tier.

Me in front of the commuter plane after landing in Kona.Ashley Probst

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