Aloha may be able to borrow more money to stay in business past Monday.
Possible interim financing could carry them beyond the bankruptcy cash plan that runs just a few more days. But those at a rally at the Capitol today said more help is still needed.
Workers, their families, even the competition showed their aloha for Aloha Airlines.
"Any kind of support would help us out, and we appreciate anything we can get at this point you know," said Angel Pablo.
Both Pablo and his wife work for Aloha Airlines, and the mom and dad of 8-month-old Anela now have both jobs on the line as Aloha races a Monday deadline of their initial bankruptcy cash plan.
Late this afternoon an interim financing proposal was submitted to the court that could help keep the carrier afloat as they seek out buyers.
"We'll see how things work out on the Aloha side because they also have some irons in the fire with buyers and so on, so we don't want to get in the middle of that," Gov. Linda Lingle said.
Several representatives of various employee union groups met with the governor and lieutenant governor today. They also met with lawmakers who are working on a fuel waiver, landing fee deferral and loan guaranty.
Hopefully the action by state government by myself and my colleagues, will offer some confidence that we're behind Aloha Airlines,” said Sen. Gary Hooser, (D) Senate majority leader.
The company that owns Young Brothers put in a bid this week for just the cargo unit of Aloha, which employs just 300 out of 3,500 workers.
"Especially with 3,500 employees, that's devastating," said 37-year Aloha employee Clyde Fujimoto. “You can imagine the unemployment line, can you imagine the economy paying 3,500 people unemployment.”
Hawaii's congressional delegation may be calling for a release of fuel for airlines from the nation's strategic reserve to help buffer the soaring costs.
"That's something the president could do tomorrow, so we're going to explore that as quickly as we can," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
The delegation also might push for an investigation of airfare practices.
"The Go! Airlines that have come in I believe are engaged in predatory pricing,” Abercrombie said, “and the Department of Justice can certainly take a look at that. The problem is the wheels grind slowly there."
Hearings on both the cargo bid and interim loan will be held early next week. Hawaii's congressional delegates will talk early next week about a possible petition of the Justice Department.