Nobi Buntin, EAA 1345666, has been spearheading the Aloha Aviators, a group of amateur female pilots and Honolulu-based Delta flight attendants who have been sewing masks nonstop since March. Over 1,000 masks have been sewn while maintaining social distancing and donated to countless local hospitals, critically ill patients, flight attendants, essential workers, homeless, and first responders in Oahu.
In April, Nobi realized there was a high demand for masks on the outer islands. She took the initiative to rent a Cessna 172 out of pocket to transport masks and cat supplies to the outer islands of Maui and Lanai with her mentor, Lei Enoka, multiple times. Due to the high number of evacuees in the state of Hawaii, stray cats are on the rise. This, coupled with barges being delayed, has resulted in a shortage of cat food and cat litter at the sanctuaries.
On May 6, more than 100 handmade masks and supplies were flown to Hilo by Nobi’s 17-year-old mentee, Abigail Dang. While maintaining social distancing and complying with COVID-19 guidelines, the masks were sewn and delivered to the Hilo Medical Center, which was in dire need. Annie Domko, the co-founder of the South Pacific Flying Club, caught wind of the Aloha Aviators’ efforts and generously made the club’s Czech Sport SportCruiser available to make the five-hour mission from Honolulu to Hilo possible.
Last Friday, Nobi rented a C-172 as Lei sat shotgun and set off on yet another Aloha Aviator mission to Molokai. Their Molokai Mission consisted of 100 pounds of cat food, 25 pounds of mask supplies, and other “treats” requested by the local community!
“It is an honor to have a community that is selfless and so eager to pay it forward,” Nobi said. “Without the generosity of our community, these missions would never have been possible. I hope to emphasize the importance of thinking outside the box and paying it forward to the younger generation of aviators. The Aloha Aviators are forever grateful for fabric, elastic, and funding donations. If you would like to participate or contribute to this cause, contact 808FlyGirls@gmail.com or Venmo @Fly-Girls.”
Their next outer island mission is scheduled for Friday, May 15!