Kalaupapa has been without crucial services for more than 24 hours. It started with a hard landing that closed the airport, and a back and forth battle to find a fix.

Kalaupapa was unexpectedly cut off Wednesday, after a Pacific Wings plane blew out a tire on the gravel runway, and the airport shut down.

“No planes. No nothing going out. We don't have any mail, no newspaper, nothing,” said Kalaupapa resident Boogie Kahilihiwa.

Nothing, including medicine for patients, has made it into the community for more than 24 hours.

“It's unfortunate patients in Kalaupapa are paying the price. We've been ready to move that airplane for 24 hours. Have a mechanic, parts, and plane on standby. We're ready to do it the minute they reopen the runway,” said Pacific Wings President Greg Kahlstorf.

“We're trying to coordinate with DOT to see about what can be done because certainly we're concerned about the residents being able to get in and out of Kalaupapa,” said Janice Okubo, from the Department of Health.

Pacific Wings' President says the FAA said it was safe to land another plane on the runway, to fix the damaged aircraft, but the State refused to re-open the airport.

“In a way they're really holding the entire community hostage,” said Kahlstorf.

Within the hour, things changed. Pacific Wings signed a waiver, exempting the State from any problems that could occur landing a plane, mechanic, and parts on the runway. Pacific Wings expects to get it repaired and off the runway before 6 tonight.

“There's no reason it couldn't have been done yesterday afternoon,” said Kahlstorf.

A crew arrived at Kalaupapa Thursday night. They say it shouldn’t take longer than an hour.