The Short Hop!

So on to the next destination , Kapalua-West Maui or just Kapalua Airport (JHM/PHJM). The rain that was north of the field in Molokai still held there as we departed. As we begin our departure, with the standard left climbing turn to FL050, thence to the VOR heading 100 degrees to BOGEE INT.

We start to board our flight for the departure from MKK.

As you can see the clouds which are now covering the interior of Molokai to the left and extending east as we climb thru FL020 to our cruise altitude of FL050 (this portion of the flight is only 15 min long from block to block)

We continue eastward flying over Kaunakakai and the wharf  (It's that little piece of land just at the very middle bottom of the F/O's window). The crew is busy at this point being as we are about to go IMC.

Though directly in front is in overcast conditions, just south of Molokai, the channel is clear and you can see Lanai island.

The overcast conditions that await us over West Maui. The mountains of east Molokai are to the left of us and shrouded in heavy clouds and rain.

"In the soup". We are now IMC and established on the 100 degree heading to BOGEE INT which is about 3 minutes away.

Here's the approach procedure into JHM.

 

At 24.4 DME and about FL029 from the MKK VOR we start to break out of the clouds.

 

As we get lower and closer, the coast line becomes visible. The approach into JHM is a rather tricky one for the crews. For noise abatement, aircraft must cross the shoreline no lower than 1800 ft. Only upon crossing the shore line may the turn from base onto final begin. So this almost seems to like your diving into the airport.

 

Approaching the shore line the field is visible thru the rain just near the right edge of the window.

Crossing the shoreline and turning onto final for RWY 02.

  

Established on final. RWY 02 just ahead on the edge of the rain.

One thing about the approach into JHM is that the runway is on 3000 ft long. There are ravines on either end of the runways. The winds are usually always a direct crosswind which includes wind shear on the short final. When I was a flight attendant, I used to tell passengers that landing in Kapalua was like landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Quick, violent and unforgettable!

Fifteen minutes after departing Molokai, here we are in a rainy Kapalua-West Maui.