For a few hours yesterday afternoon, the former offices of Aloha Airlines — quiet since the company's sudden closure on March 31 — were bustling again.

History buffs, former employees and small-business owners gathered to bid on more than 220 items up for auction, including office equipment, furniture, model airplanes and other memorabilia celebrating the company's 61 years of service in Hawai'i.

The event, run by McClain Auctions, a local company, drew more than 200 registered bidders, many of whom came not only to acquire items but to reflect on Aloha Airline's legacy.

"I'm not really interested in the furniture," said Erline Chung, who fondly recalled memories of flying with Aloha as a child. "When it comes down to it, it's the memories you have from small time, and being able to share that with your grandchildren."

As file cabinets, phones and color printers found new homes, some items seemed to hold a stronger attachment to the company's Restaurant Row offices.

Ronnie Tongg, son of Rudy Tongg, who founded the company in 1946, stood before item 166, a large collage of old photos depicting hula dancers on the runway, the company's original aircraft and a black-and-white portrait of his parents.

The photos are "my only connection with the past and what my dad accomplished," said Ronnie Tongg, who submitted the winning bid for the photos.

He said his father's success typified the spirit of Aloha Airlines. Rudy Tongg, son of immigrant parents, worked in the sugarcane fields, put himself through school and became a businessman.

"The company was really an expression of the spirit of the people who came to Hawai'i with nothing, but had opportunities to be successful," Ronnie Tongg said.

"Aloha Airlines was such a big part of our family, so this is all very emotional and very sad for me," he said.

Nostalgia also came over dozens of former employees as they wandered through the offices they knew so well. Some gathered in what used to be conference rooms to take a break and to reflect on the airline's closure.

"I have a memory of every room in here," said Christina Tangjian, who worked as a systems specialist for Aloha's information technology department for two years. "It's kind of strange seeing everything go, and it's really a deep sadness, not only for the airline but for the people I used to work with."

Tangjian described Aloha Airlines as a company with a loving spirit.

"I have worked for six or seven other companies and have never felt that kind of bond, that kind of love," she said.

Tangjian continues to maintain contact with her former co-workers, many of whom are struggling to find new jobs. The recent shutdowns of both ATA and Aloha Airlines point to tough times ahead for those in the airline business.

"All the airlines are having such a tough time making it. This is just one of the fatalities and I'm sure there will be many more," said John Fisher, who retired after working for 40 years as both an aircraft mechanic and as a corporate and commercial pilot.

A collector of aviation memorabilia, Fisher was most interested in the old photographs, original artwork and model aircraft that were up for sale. Eventually, Fisher plans to give his collection to an aviation museum.