This is now Hawaiian Air’s longest intra-Hawaii flight

Hawaiian Airlines will add non-stop flights between Lihue and Kona starting March 12.

The carrier says it will be the first time it’s ever offered regular non-stop service between the cities. The flight will connect the island of Kauai (Lihue) with the “Big Island” of Hawaii (Kona).

At a distance of 263 miles, the service will become Hawaiian’s longest intra-Hawaii flight, edging past its existing 203-mile route between Honolulu and Hilo. Hawaiian will fly the route with Boeing 717 aircraft.

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Hawaiian cited "steadily growing" demand for the new non-stop option connecting the islands of Kauai and Hawaii.

“We are proud to now offer our guests direct access between these islands, in addition to our connecting flights through Honolulu or Maui," Peter Ingram, Hawaiian's chief commercial officer, said in a statement. "This gives travelers greater flexibility and convenience when traveling through the Hawaiian Islands."

The new route from Kona continues a busy winter there for Hawaiian Airlines. It was just in December that Hawaiian started its first-ever international service from city when it launched thrice-weekly flights to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. That became Kona's first international route since Japan Airlines exited the market in 2010.

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