He was then assigned to Torpedo Plane Squadron #2 in San Diego, and made his connection to Hawaii when his unit was transferred to Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor in 1923.

[5] Being an enlisted man, Chief Petty Officer Elliott was referred to as a Naval Aviation Pilot, or AP for short.

Due to his knowledge of their capabilities and the lack of suitable airports in Hawaii at the time, Kennedy wanted to hire a Chief Pilot with naval seaplane experience.

On November 11, 1929, Territorial Governor Lawrence M. Judd led the events attended by thousands of spectators for the first airline flight between the Hawaiian Islands.

[1][5] The two S-38's continued on to Maui where they were met by "the greatest throng ever assembled with exception perhaps of the opening day of the county fair", wired the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Upon landing at Hilo, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin wired public and official enthusiasm exceeding any similar demonstrations in the history of this island city...a vast crowd at the airport, drawn from all sections of the island in the realization that the flight opens a new era in Hawaii transportation...long before the arrival of the Sikorskys all sides of the Waiakea airport was lined by hundreds of automobiles.

Territorial Governor Joseph Poindexter and Honolulu Postmaster Charles Chillingsworth led the ceremonies for the inaugural flight carrying airmail between the Hawaiian Islands.

[1][7] Governor Poindexter handed the bags of mail up to Elliott and co-pilot James Hogg, then the S-38 "Maui" took off for Hilo introducing airmail service for the residents of Hawaii.