Maui-grown limes take flight to international markets

Lime processing. PC: Mahi Pono / Hawaiian Airlines

More than 80,000 pounds of Maui-grown limes are now flying from Kahului to Seattle each week aboard Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, before continuing on to markets in Canada.

Since shipments began in February, about 2 million pounds of limes have made the trip, marking the first time Hawaiʻi-grown limes have been shipped by air. The partnership between Mahi Pono and Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo has cut shipping times from as long as two weeks by sea to just three days by air, helping the fruit reach customers faster and fresher.

“Air freight provides a significant advantage because the fruit gets to market faster, preserving more shelf life for customers,” said Chris Hayes, Logistics Manager at Mahi Pono.

Mahi Pono has been transforming more than 41,000 acres of former sugarcane land on Maui into diversified agriculture. The company currently employs about 300 people on Maui and hopes to double or triple its workforce in the coming years.

“It is our kuleana (responsibility) to cultivate higher-paying career opportunities, and my hope is that doing so will help address the high cost of living so more local families can stay in Hawai’i and build their future here,” Hayes said.

Cargo is an essential part of business at Hawaiian Airlines, serving as a core component of the company’s Alaska Accelerate strategic plan , with cargo set to deliver $150 million of new annual profit.

Lime processing. PC: Mahi Pono

Mahi Pono now has more than 3 million lime and other fruit trees, and Mahi Pono-grown citrus, watermelon and other products are sold under the Maui Harvest brand at stores like Foodland and Whole Foods within Hawai‘i.

Representatives say the company is focused on strengthening food security and reducing reliance on imports.

Lime field. PC: Mahi Pono

“This partnership is a proud moment for our team, and it’s also good for the community, Maui and the state of Hawai‘i. We look forward to serving Mahi Pono with mālama, trust and aloha,” said Gail Hayashi, Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo Sales Manager in Hawai‘i for Alaska Airlines in a company news release.

In addition to working with newer customers such as Mahi Pono, the company’s air cargo business continues to represent a vital link to the communities served by Alaska and Hawaiian, transporting time-sensitive goods that communities need, including medicine, household supplies and groceries. In 2025, Alaska and Hawaiian carried more than 157,000 tons of cargo to, from and within Hawai‘i and Alaska , the airline reports.

Lime cargo. PC: Mahi Pono / Hawaiian Airlines