It’s the dawn of a new day, and we’re seeing more wāhine (women – pronounced waah-he-nay) than ever taking on some of the most challenging roles in the aviation industry.

According to Women in Aviation International, 42,694 women make up seven percent of today’s pilot force, an increase of 7,000 since 2000, when only three percent of pilots were women. And in non-pilot positions such as dispatcher, flight attendant, mechanic, engineer, 29 percent (or 195,993 workers) are women in 2018.  At Hawaiian Airlines, we were in the forefront of women in aviation with the first all-women crew flying in 1979, and we still encourage our fellow wāhine to reach high.

We wanted to take a moment to recognize these ladies for their hard work and showcase a handful of the 3,515 female employees who carry our ‘ohana to great heights as Hawaii’s airline. Keep reading to meet some of the proud wāhine of Hawaiian Airlines.

Women in Aviation Rockstars

Started in Summer 2017, Hawaiian Airlines’ Women in Aviation employee resource group works year-round to grow opportunities for women currently in the industry or those interested in it. Some of the biggest events they organize each year include:

• Women in Aviation Month (March)
• Habitat for Humanity Build Day as part of Habitat’s National Women Build Week (May)
• Public Speaking Workshop with John Holman, director of the Pacific for the U.S. Commercial Service (May)
• 2018 Summer Leadership Series with Hawaiian Airlines’ President and CEO Peter Ingram, former President and CEO Mark Dunkerley and Korea Country Director Soojin Yu
• Girls in Aviation Day (October)

“Wāhine in Aviation’s mission is to promote the encouragement, networking, and advancement of current and future generations of women in all aviation career fields and interests,” shared the group’s vice president, Kanani Kealoha-Faleafine, a manager of loyalty services and a former Kahului Airport ramp agent at Hawaiian Airlines.

The group started small with only 25 employees and has since grown to 125 active, contributing members!

The Future Female Leaders of Hawaii’s Aviation Industry

In celebration of the fourth annual International Girls in Aviation Day (October 13), our Women in Aviation employee group invited 20 high school teenagers throughout O‘ahu to get a special behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in the aviation industry. The event, which kicked off in Hawai‘i two years ago and has since been hosted at Hawaiian Airlines, is a unique mentorship opportunity for youth looking to enter the field before their careers take flight.

Throughout the course of 2018’s Girls in Aviation Day, the group dove deep into the critical roles that contribute to our award-winning service, toured the new Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility and networked with some of the most passionate wāhine in our company, from aircraft mechanics to pilots.

The cherry on the cake: our historic Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker, the airplane that started it all for Hawaiian Airlines, made her big debut at the end of the day. The group took the ultimate selfies in front of the aircraft and got to explore its six-passenger cabin.

“Girls in Aviation Day at Hawaiian Airlines was one for the books. It’s fantastic to see such an incredible amount of interest in roles that, for decades, have been mostly done by men,” shared Katelyn Shelly, president of the Wāhine in Aviation employee resource group and senior manager of the commercial project management team. “We firmly believe that these girls are the future of our aviation industry, and I hope to see them carrying the torch at Hawaiian Airlines in the next several years!”

Wāhine  Taking the OGG Ramp by Storm*

Ramp Services is one of the most physically demanding jobs in aviation. Ramp agents handle heavy luggage and cargo and operate large pieces of equipment with precision in a wide spectrum of weather conditions: hot and humid temperatures, rain, wind, and noise.

Hawaiian Airlines currently employs more than 540 ramp personnel, of which 100 work at our Maui hub at Kahului Airport (OGG). Traditionally, men have fulfilled this role. However, in recent years, the number of women joining the ramp ranks has been growing. Three years ago, one in 30 ramp agents was female; that ratio is now one in five.

Our female ramp agents at OGG represent a strong team – proud of their work and hometown station. When asked to offer some words of wisdom and on how to succeed in this role, they offered up the following: 

• Our job is very physical in terms of moving bags and cargo, but the care for and safety of our guests and colleagues is always top-of-mind. The proper placement of bags in the belly of the aircraft is important in maintaining its correct weight and balance.
• We communicate constantly with all parts of the operation. This is in addition to moving bags and equipment around. We talk to Maintenance, Cargo, Guest Services, to name a few. People who master communication on the ramp can communicate anywhere.
• We are proud of the work we do. If you build the “perfect stack,” then no bags will fall between the aircraft and bag belt. It’s like building a rock wall, where placement of every piece matters. Working hard on the task in front of you will save extra work in the future. Everyone should think five steps ahead.
• We know it’s okay to be scared and being vulnerable is ok. Especially as new-hires, it’s natural to be afraid. Being scared may be a good thing because if you’re scared, it means you care. 
• We work through our fears and challenge ourselves. What you are capable of will surprise you.
• We take care of our team, regardless of tenure. Team members need support and guidance to become stronger. Remind everyone of what they need to do (i.e., wear your seatbelts). It’s like with your kids when you teach them to brush their teeth. They don’t like being reminded, but it’s necessary for them to learn.  
• We know that it doesn’t matter if you are male or female, as long as you can perform your tasks well. The team is only as strong as its weakest link. Take care of your team, don’t be lazy, and do your work out of love.

*Story contributed by Mark Zender, senior manager of airport operations communications at Hawaiian Airlines

A Pilot’s Calling

Our Airbus A330 Captain Kendall “Kiki” Culler was interviewed by the New Zealand Herald for her tremendous 34-year career in the aviation industry. During her interview, she shared, “I remember when I got interviewed for the job by the chief pilot [at Hawaiian Airlines], I walked through the door and he said, ‘we love women pilots’. I think it’s because Hawaiian had good success with women pilots and recognized their value.”

Click here to read the full feature on Kiki and her passion for flying.

Pualani Proud

Last but not least, you’re likely to have seen the welcoming smile and proud gaze of Pualani – the face of Hawaiian Airlines on our aircraft tails – gracing the sky. Known as “Flower of the Sky,” Pualani is a distinct symbol of our 89-year history, and one of the few feminine figures to front an airline.

Pualani has always been our beacon of Hawaiian hospitality. Contrary to popular belief, she was not modeled after any of the Miss Hawai‘i winners. Her strong presence and features were conceptualized as a real-life representation of our company’s mission and aloha for the Islands.

While her appearance has changed throughout the years, she remains a promise to our guests that we offer something no other airline can – the warmth, care and generosity that are hallmarks of our culture of ho’okipa (Hawaiian hospitality).