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Molokai closure

Molokai, Hawaii’s sleepiest major island, is getting sleepier. Molokai Ranch, a lodging and recreational hub, was expected to shut down its facilities this weekend. Two employees, who declined to be identified, said last week that the Lodge at Molokai Ranch, the Beach Village “tentalows” and the Kaluakoi Golf Course would close Saturday. Ranch officials could not be reached for comment. But in a news release last month, Peter Nicholas, chief executive of Molokai Properties Ltd., blamed the shutdowns on “unacceptable delays” caused by local opposition to a master plan for the company’s land, which included a proposal to build luxury homes. He said public access to Molokai Properties’ 60,000-plus acres would be closed “indefinitely.”

-- Jane Engle

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Adieu to Aloha

Hawaii bid aloha oe to an island institution last week, when the last Aloha Airlines passenger flight landed in Honolulu. The 61-year-old carrier, which had filed for bankruptcy protection, shut down service with just a day’s notice after saying it had failed to secure financing or find a buyer. Its air-cargo and aviation-service units continued to operate. Days later, another airline that served Hawaii, ATA Airlines Inc., abruptly stopped flying. Indianapolis-based ATA blamed its shutdown on losing a key military charter contract. Next up? Higher Hawaii airfares, some experts said.

“-- J.E.

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Desert glory

No question, Anza-Borrego is glorious in wildflower season, but true desert rats such as Ernie Cowan see the glory of the 600,000-plus-acre state park in all its seasonal moods. Cowan’s new book, “Anza-Borrego: A Photographic Journey,” celebrates the Southern California desert park in images -- through close-ups of mating beetles, the patterned geologic oddities in Tule Wash and of course blossoms, brittlebush and ocotillo, among others. The photos are evidence of a labor of love by Cowan, a photojournalist, former mayor of Escondido and a founder of the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Assn. At the end of its 96 pages, I found myself wishing for trail maps to go see for myself. The book, a collaboration of the Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute, California State Parks and Sunbelt Publications of El Cajon, costs $19.95 and is available from www.sunbelt books.com and Amazon.com.

-- Vani Rangachar

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Mammoth fun

The days are getting longer and the drifts are getting shorter, but plenty of the white stuff is still left at Mammoth Mountain. “We have a great base of snow . . . and good, long, sunny days,” says spokeswoman Laura Johnson. The entire mountain will be open through April 20, with good coverage top to bottom -- snowpack is running 8 to 10 feet. Canyon Lodge closes April 20, with the popular Pond Skim event. Prizes will go to the best costume and to anyone who makes it across the 100-foot pond. After Canyon closes, the mountain typically runs between seven and nine chairs (conditions permitting). Spring Fest deals begin then, with lodging/lift ticket deals starting at $111 per person. The offer runs through May 16. Individual lift tickets will be reduced during this period from the usual midseason rate of $79 for adults to a spring rate of $64. Info: www.mammothmountain.com, (800) 626-6684.

-- Chris Erskine