Story ID: 
Hawaii FBO Veterans Purchase Air Service Hawaii
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Universal Weather and Aviation passes the group of six Hawaiian FBOs along to new owners who know the territory.
Word Count: 256
Keystone Holdings, a new company comprised of veterans of the Hawaiian private aviation scene, acquired the Air Service Hawaii group of FBOs in a sealed bid offering from Universal Weather and Aviation. Air Service Hawaii, which began as a crop dusting operation on the Hawaiian Islands shortly after World War II, now includes six locations in Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Kona, Lanai and Lihue. The FBO group will retain its branding and identity under its new ownership.

“We’d like to thank our loyal and outstanding employees of Air Service Hawaii for their hard work, dedication and commitment to helping Universal win over the years,” said Universal CEO Ralph Vasami. Air Service Hawaii remains a premier FBO, and we have confidence Keystone will continue that long tradition of excellence.”

Keystone’s purchase also includes a long-term preferred handler agreement with Universal.

Keystone was founded by former Bradley Pacific Aviation co-owners Dr. Thomas and Mi Kosasa, who hold a majority stake as well as former Bradley employee Shaen Tarter and Todd Baumgartner, formerly with Ross Aviation, who serve as minority stakeholders. Bradley Pacific was part of the former Ross Aviation chain, which Landmark Aviation acquired last year.

“I am excited at the opportunity to lead another FBO in Hawaii," said Tarter, who will serve as president of Air Service Hawaii. “I look forward to working with Air Service Hawaii, its customers and employees and airport authorities to build on over 60 years of serving the aviation community."