Mokulele Airlines (MHO, Kona) has been awarded a USD1.76million Essential Air Service contract by the US Department of Transportation to provide flights between Kamuela Airport, on Hawaii's Big Island, and Kahului Airport, on Maui. The 4-year long contract has provision for 12 round-trip flights per week and is scheduled to start on September 21. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that Mokulele Airlines will replace the incumbent, Pacific Wings (Kahului), which, despite ceasing regular services last month, has continued to operate Kamuela - Kahului flights, albeit under the government's order. Makani Kai Air (Honolulu), which has an EAS contract to provide service to Kalaupapa on Molokai, had also bid on the contract.