July 6th, 2016 – Mokulele Airlines has partnered with the Molokai Humane Society to transport abandoned Molokai dogs and cats to their new homes in Kahului, Maui. The airline flies the animals free of charge as a service to the community.
“At Mokulele Airlines we have a real soft spot for pets,” said Rob McKinney, President of Mokulele Airlines. “When we learned that the Molokai Humane Society needed a way to get pets into the arms of their new families on Maui, we jumped at the chance to help. We’re honored to be a part of the amazing work they do for the community.”
The Molokai Humane Society is committed to building caring bonds between the people and animals of Molokai through education, advocacy, and veterinary care. The island of Molokai does not have an animal shelter, so were it not for the efforts of the Molokai Humane Society, unwanted and abandoned pets face a very bleak future – they are either left to fend for themselves or euthanized.
“We work with Animal Rescues to do everything we can to help these animals,” said Molokai Humane Society Director Hoala Davis, “from spaying and neutering to emergency medical care to finding them good homes. It’s not unusual for us to foster animals in our own homes until we can permanently place them with loving families. We’re very grateful to Mokulele Airlines for being such a committed partner and helping us further our mission.”
The Molokai Humane Society receives no funding from the Humane Society of the United States or Hawaiian Humane Societies. They currently do not have a full-time veterinarian. The three-person Molokai team works out of two renovated shipping containers on leased land without a bathroom. Electricity is provided by means of a gas-powered generator. From cat food to clinics offering free spaying and neutering, the Molokai Humane Society’s ability to serve their community relies solely on the kindness and generosity of donors and volunteers.
To help raise much-needed funds to support the Humane Society’s programs, Mokulele Airlines, together with the Hotel Molokai, have organized a benefit concert featuring local artist Anuhea on July 15th at the Hotel Molokai. The tax-deductible donations from the concert will be used to directly serve the animals on Molokai and educate the community about the proper care and treatment of animals.
“Living in a small community like Molokai, we want to do everything possible to support our local non-profits,” said Hotel Molokai General Manager Michael Drew. “And besides, we’re animal lovers, too. Not only do pets fly free on Mokulele Airlines, but at our hotel pets can make themselves right at home with their owners in our guest-rooms.”
To purchase tickets to the benefit concert or to support the Molokai Humane Society with a donation, please visit molokaihumanesociety.org.