United Airlines is launching new daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hilo (ITO) today. In addition, United will begin once-weekly nonstop service to Hilo from its San Francisco hub beginning June 11. The flights, operated by Continental Airlines, are the only nonstop service to Hilo from the U.S. mainland and complement the airline’s existing service to four other cities in Hawaii: Honolulu, Kahului, Kona and Lihue.

Continental pilot and B737 flight instructor Lance Lau, a native of Hilo, will serve as captain on today’s flight, which departs Los Angeles at 5 p.m. and arrives in Hilo at 7:40 p.m. The return flight departs Hilo at 8:55 p.m. and arrives in Los Angeles at 5:15 a.m. the following day. At a gate event in Los Angeles, Singer and songwriter Robert Cazimero – who has led a resurgence of Hawaiian music, language, dance and culture since the 1970s – will perform a traditional Hawaiian blessing known as a “pule” at the event before joining Captain Lau, DJ Gumby and other customers on the inaugural flight.