In February 2014, Hawaiian announced that Ohana would begin service on March 11. On June 12, 2014, Ohana by Hawaiian announced it would expand its route network to Maui, offering daily flights between Kahului, Maui and Moloka'i; Kahului and Kona, Hawai'i Island; and Kahului and Hilo. In July 2015, Hawaiian announced that Empire Airlines would begin all cargo freighter service on interisland routes in Hawaii with
ATR 72 turboprop aircraft as part of the Ohana by Hawaiian service. Freighter operation began in March 2018 after the acquisition of ATR 72-200(F) aircraft. During the
COVID-19 pandemic, Ohana began reducing its operations. On March 25, 2020, Ohana suspended service to and from Kapalua as a part of its first round of interisland schedule reductions. Beginning November 1, 2020, Ohana paused passenger service to Lanai and Molokai and all interisland cargo service, citing a clause in their contracts with Hawaiian pilots that stated Ohana flights could not be operated if interisland flights operated by Hawaiian's
Boeing 717 and
Airbus A321 aircraft were significantly reduced as well. Passenger service to Lanai and Molokai was eventually discontinued on January 14, 2021, effectively suspending the carrier's operations. On May 27, 2021, Hawaiian announced that it would discontinue the Ohana brand and service after the pandemic and resulting quarantine significantly impacted interisland travel. The interruptions in service forced the airline to reconsider the viability of operation and determine it was no longer feasible. The carrier's ATR fleet would be moved to the
mainland and be prepared for sale. ==Former destinations==