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Alaska Airlines flight attendant saves rare flamingo eggs during flight; Zoo honors her with naming of newly hatched chick

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Amber has had some unusual requests in her 10 years of flying, but being asked to help save some flamingo eggs just about topped them all.   

The request came during a flight from Atlanta to Seattle last August.  

“A passenger rang the call button and asked if I would help keep some eggs warm,” Amber said. 

Befuddled, she inquired further and learned that the guest wasn’t crying fowl.   

The guest was a zoo official transporting rare Chilean flamingo eggs from Zoo Atlanta to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo and the incubator keeping them warm had stopped working.  

Thinking quickly, Amber went to the galley, found some rubber gloves and filled them with warm water. She brought them to the zoo official who quickly wrapped them around the eggs, making a cozy nest. Guests seated nearby offered their coats and scarves for extra insulation.  

Being resourceful and thinking on their feet are traits Alaska Flight Attendants are known for, even when it comes to our feathered guests.  

I was glad to help,” Amber said, adding that she and fellow crew members kept checking with the zoo official during the flight and replacing the gloves as the water cooled.  

Months later, Amber received a surprising call from the zoo asking her if she’d like to meet the baby flamingos she had saved.  

“I was honored and so happy that the chicks had hatched—all six of them!” she said. 

Amber and her granddaughter, Sunny, were honored guests of Woodland Park Zoo, treated to an exclusive tour that included a delightful ‘meet and greet’ with the recently-hatched chicks. The adorable birds showcased their fluffy gray feathers and long, skinny legs, with the zoo explaining that the flamingoes’ signature pink color only emerges in adulthood.  

The six Chilean flamingos mark the first hatching of the species at the zoo since 2016 and bring the zoo’s current flamingo flock to 49. 

“We are forever grateful for the heroic measures Amber took to help keep our precious flamingo eggs warm and viable,” said Gigi Allianic, from Woodland Park Zoo. “This means the world to our zoo family. They would have been lost if you hadn’t gone above and beyond for us.” 

The zoo recently completed a public poll to name one of the flamingo chicks.  If you go to the zoo today, you can meet all six of them—Magdalena, Amaya, Rosales, Gonzo, Bernardo—and Sunny, after Amber’s granddaughter. 😊 

“Having baby Sunny meet flamingo Sunny was just wonderful,” Amber said. “I am excited to see them both grow up.”   

Alaska Airlines invests in its people with $200 million in payouts and enhanced travel perks 

Alaska Airlines employees are wrapping up the week on a positive note, as our annual incentive payout brings the total payouts for Air Group Employees to $200 million for 2023.

Our company’s annual payout, called Performance Based Pay (PBP), is determined by our performance towards specific company-wide goals for safety, guest experience, sustainability and profit.  

Despite facing our share of headwinds last year, we once again delivered an excellent operation from start to finish. As a result, employees earned an above-target PBP payout for the third year in a row and 16th time in the 21-year history of PBP. This equates to more than 6 percent of most employees’ annual pay last year. 

Credit to our employees, who are the strength of our airline,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “I am especially pleased that we exceeded our targets in both Safety and Guest Satisfaction, which directly reflect the care, attention to detail, and the quality of work that our people deliver every day.” 

Quick math:  

  • Our plan is generous and consistent, averaging 7.73% of annual pay over the past 10 years. If you make $50,000/year – that adds up to nearly an additional $39,000 total in 10 years.  
  • If you look at the last 15 years, those numbers are even more impressive, averaging 7.96% of annual pay, which is nearly an additional $60,000 total in 15 years for someone making $50,000/year. 

The PBP payout is in addition to the approximately $30 million in 2023 operational bonuses that employees earned for achieving monthly on-time and customer satisfaction goals. The combined monthly and annual 2023 payouts paid to employees totals $200 million. 

As an added way of saying thank you, we also awarded four one-way confirmed travel passes for every eligible employee at the company. These passes can be used anywhere throughout our network—like these new & exciting leisure destinations below 👇🏼

Employees asked for better travel perks, and we listened.  

While most airline programs offer travel privileges to parents and dependent children, we realized we had an opportunity to improve our program to reflect our diverse workforce with a variety of family structures. We already extend travel privileges to one spouse or partner as well as all dependent children plus two parents for every employee, and now we’re expanding the definition of loved ones.  

We are one of the first airlines to allow greater flexibility in who can access our employee travel program. Beginning this month, employees are able to designate up to two people in lieu of parents to enjoy their travel privileges. This means that employees can now extend any unused parent travel benefits privileges to adult children, friends, siblings or anyone special to them. What’s so special about this change is that the idea came directly from our employees.  

For the inaugural year of this expanded program, 43% of our employees have taken advantage of the change and added new loved ones to their travel privileges. 

More ways to fly  

In addition to unlimited standby travel, we are always looking for more ways to encourage our employees to take to the skies. On average, every year—including 2024—we gift our employees two roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska flies.  

They can use these tickets to book important or celebratory trips well in advance. If employees don’t want to use these confirmed tickets, they’re now able to trade them in before they expire for Mileage Plan miles that can be used on Alaska or any of our airline partners.   

Speaking of miles, in honor of our 90th anniversary, we gifted each employee 90,000 miles – that’s enough for a roundtrip ticket anywhere in the world.   

A valuable part of our total rewards  

We love how much our employees love to travel and 2023 was a year for the record books. Here are some of the highlights:  

  • In 2023, 80% employees used their travel privileges to fly at least once. 53% of their spouses or domestic partners, 61% of their children and 37% of their parents also hitched a ride.  
  • On average, our employees are able to find a standby seat 75% of the time!  
  • The most popular employee destination outside of our hub cities were Spokane, WA, Phoenix and Las Vegas.    

Hawaiian Holdings Reports 2023 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

HA High Res Logo_mid

HONOLULU — Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) (the "Company"), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian"), today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023.

"I am grateful to our team who accomplished an extraordinary amount, including realizing foundational investments during a challenging year," said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram .  "Demand is solid across our networks, our brand remains strong in Japan as the market recovers, and we have seen steady improvement in travel to Maui.  We expect the combination with Alaska will create an even more competitive combined airline, positioning the Hawaiian Airlines brand to flourish in the years ahead."

Fourth Quarter 2023 – Key Financial Metrics and Results

   

GAAP

 

YoY Change

 

Adjusted (a)

 

YoY Change

Net Loss

 

($101.2M)

 

($51.0M)

 

($122.7M)

 

($98.0M)

Diluted EPS

 

($1.96)

 

($0.98)

 

($2.37)

 

($1.88)

Pre-tax Margin

 

(19.0) %

 

(10.4) pts.

 

(22.9) %

 

(18.6) pts.

EBITDA

 

($71.8M)

 

($65.7M)

 

($98.1M)

 

($123.7M)

Operating Cost per ASM

 

15.30¢

 

(0.16)¢

 

11.77¢

 

0.88¢

 

Full Year 2023 – Key Financial Metrics and Results

   

GAAP

 

YoY Change

 

Adjusted (a)

 

YoY Change

Net Loss

 

($260.5M)

 

($20.4M)

 

($313.5M)

 

($103.1M)

Diluted EPS

 

($5.05)

 

($0.38)

 

($6.08)

 

($2.00)

Pre-tax Margin

 

(12.1) %

 

(1.0) pts.

 

(14.5) %

 

(4.5) pts.

EBITDA

 

($103.6M)

 

($41.8M)

 

($169.0M)

 

($138.0M)

Operating Cost per ASM

 

14.90¢

 

(0.36)¢

 

11.29¢

 

0.51¢

 

(a) See Table 4 for a reconciliation of adjusted net loss, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted pre-tax margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted operating cost per ASM (CASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items) to each of their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2023 the Company had:

  • Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $908.5 million
  • Outstanding debt and finance lease obligations of $1.7 billion
  • Liquidity of $1.1 billion , including an undrawn revolving credit facility of $235 million

Revenue Environment

Following the Maui wildfires, Hawaiian saw a steady recovery of travel from North America to Maui.  Non-Maui routes and international markets ex- Japan continued to perform and demand remained solid.  In international markets, strong U.S. and other point-of sale demand, coupled with an increase in Japan -originating traffic, contributed to a 20.7% point increase in International passenger load factor year-over-year.  Premium products continued to demonstrate strong performance for the fourth quarter and full year 2023.

The Company's overall operating revenue for the fourth quarter 2023 was down 8.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 on 3.3% higher capacity.  In addition to the impact from the Maui wildfires, pandemic-related spoilage and revenue from pent-up travel demand in 2022 drove the year-over-year decline.  The Company's overall operating revenue for 2023 was up 2.8% from 2022 on 8.1% higher capacity.

Other Revenue for fourth quarter 2023 was down 15.9% compared to the same period in 2022, primarily driven by a decrease in cargo revenue.  Cargo activity in 2022 was higher than normal due to lingering pandemic-related effects.  Full year 2023 Other Revenue was down 16.2% compared to 2022, driven by decreases in cargo revenue and contract services.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Highlights

Routes and scheduled services

  • Operated 108% of its 2022 capacity: 96%, 112%, and 172% capacity on its North America , Neighbor Island, and International routes, respectively
  • Launched ticket sales for new daily nonstop service between Salt Lake City and Honolulu , which will commence on May 15, 2024
  • Announced expansion of service in Sacramento with four weekly flights to Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi starting May 24, 2024 and three weekly flights to Kona on the Island of Hawaiʻi starting May 25, 2024

 

Awards and Recognition

  • Ranked highest for economy travel customer satisfaction in Consumer Reports ' 2023 Airline Travel Buying Guide
  • Named the best domestic airline in Travel + Leisure's 2023 "World's Best Awards" annual reader survey
  • Rated as one of the top airlines in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards
  • Awarded best new business class in 2023 by TheDesignAir for its new business class product, the Leihōkū Suites

 

Guest experience

  • Received FAA approval of the Starlink system on the Airbus A321neo, which is currently being installed on that fleet. Hawaiian will be the first major airline to put this technology on-board, and it is expected to be the fastest, most capable inflight connectivity available worldwide, offered free to every guest
  • Collaborated with Hawaiʻi lifestyle brand Noho Home to design Hawaiian's new in-flight amenity kits and soft goods with a focus on sustainability and rooted in aloha. Amenities are made with responsibly sourced materials and offered to Business Class guests on long-haul flights a la carte to minimize waste

 

Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance

In May 2023 , the Company published its 2023 Corporate Kuleana (Responsibility) Report, providing progress on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities, which included a decarbonization roadmap with interim targets to lower greenhouse gas emissions focused on replacing petroleum jet fuel with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); plans to decrease life-cycle jet fuel emissions per revenue ton mile by 45% by 2035; and efforts to replace 10% of conventional jet fuel with SAF by 2030.  The report also highlights Hawaiian's employee diversity, including the highest percentage of women pilots of any major U.S. airline.

Other activities in 2023 include the following:

  • Engaged over 1,500 volunteers who donated over 8,500 hours of community service work for more than 200 organizations throughout Hawaiʻi and other markets we serve
  • Donated $109,500 through the Hawaiian Airlines Foundation as a grant to Kāko'o 'Ōiwi, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the cultural, spiritual and traditional practices of the Native Hawaiian community. The grant funded the construction of a produce washing and packing facility to serve small, family farms in the area
  • Brought the Holoholo Challenge virtual race series to Kauaʻi which raised almost $25,000 in proceeds benefiting the National Tropical Botanical Garden's McBryde Garden , a 259-acre conservation and research area that is home to the world's largest collection of native Hawaiian flora
  • Provided wide-ranging support for the Maui Community , including direct gifts of $50,000 each to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Maui Food Bank, and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund, and a donor-matching HawaiianMiles campaign for the American Red Cross Hawaiʻi totaling approximately 140 million HawaiianMiles. Additionally, Hawaiian assisted with the evacuation of displaced residents and visitors and the transportation of first responders to Maui , and also supported relief efforts by carrying over 193,000 lbs. of essential cargo

The Company continues to focus on creating long-term value and positively impacting the people, environment and communities it serves. The Company will publish its fifth annual Corporate Kuleana Report in the spring of 2024.

Merger Agreement

On December 3, 2023 , Alaska Air Group, Inc. and the Company announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Alaska Airlines will acquire Hawaiian for $18.00 per share in cash, for a transaction value of approximately $1.9 billion , inclusive of $0.9 billion of Hawaiian's net debt.  The combined company will unlock more destinations for consumers and expand choice of critical air service options and access throughout the Pacific region, Continental United States and globally.  The acquisition is conditioned on required regulatory approvals, approval by the Company's shareholders, and other customary closing conditions.  It is expected to close in 12-18 months from the announcement date.

First Quarter 2024 Outlook

The table below summarizes the Company's expectations for the quarter ending March 31, 2024 expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the results for the quarter ended March 31 , 2023.  Figures include the expected impacts of the Company's freighter operation, which are not yet expected to be material.

Item

 

GAAP First Quarter
2024 Guidance

 

Non-GAAP Equivalent

 

Non-GAAP First
Quarter 2024
Guidance

Available Seat Miles (ASMs)

 

Up 2.5% to up 5.5%

       

Operating Revenue per ASM
(RASM)

 

Down 1.0% to up 2.0%

       

Costs per ASM (CASM)

 

Up 5.0% to up 7.2%

 

CASM excluding fuel and non-
recurring items (a)

 

Up 8.0% to up 11.0%

Gallons of Jet Fuel Consumed (c)

 

Up 4.0% to up 7.0%

       

Average fuel price per gallon,
including taxes and delivery (b)

 

$2.66

 

Economic Fuel Price per Gallon
(a)(b)(c)

 

$2.71

Effective Tax Rate

 

~21%

       

Full Year 2024 Outlook

The table below summarizes the Company's expectations for the full year ending December 31, 2024 expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the results for the year ended December 31, 2023.  Figures include the expected impacts of the Company's freighter operation as the Company establishes its freighter operation.

Item

 

GAAP Full Year 2024
Guidance

 

Non-GAAP Equivalent

 

Non-GAAP Full Year
2024 Guidance

ASMs

 

Up 6.0% to up 9.0%

       

CASM

 

Up 0.7% to up 3.0%

 

CASM excluding fuel and non-
recurring items (a)

 

Flat to up 3.0%

Gallons of Jet Fuel Consumed (c)

 

Up 4.0% to up 7.0%

       

Average fuel price per gallon,
including taxes and delivery (b)

 

$2.55

 

Economic Fuel Price per Gallon
(a)(b)(c)

 

$2.59

Capital Expenditures

 

$500M to $550M

       
 

(a) See Table 3 and Table 4 for a reconciliation of CASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items and economic fuel price per gallon to each of their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

(b) Average fuel price per gallon and economic fuel price per gallon estimates are based on the January 12, 2024 fuel forward curve.

(c) Gallons of jet fuel consumed do not include fuel used in the freighter operation, as those expenses are pass-through expenses not born by the Company.

Statistical information, as well as a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Investor Conference Call

The Company's quarterly and full year earnings conference call is scheduled to begin today ( January 30, 2024 ) at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time ( USA ).  The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Investors may listen to the live audio webcast on the investor relations section of the Company's website at HawaiianAirlines.com . For those who are not available for the live webcast, the call will be archived and available for 90 days on the investor relations section of the Company's website.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's largest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa , Australia , the Cook Islands , Japan , New Zealand , South Korea and Tahiti.

Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi. The carrier was named Hawaiʻi's best employer by Forbes in 2022 and has topped Travel + Leisure's World's Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline for the past two years. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 18 consecutive years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha by offering complimentary meals for all guests on transpacific routes and the convenience of no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats. HawaiianMiles members also enjoy flexibility with miles that never expire. As Hawai'i's hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com . Follow Hawaiian's Twitter updates ( @HawaiianAir ), become a fan on Facebook ( Hawaiian Airlines ), and follow us on Instagram ( hawaiianairlines ). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian's LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines' online newsroom .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect the Company's current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's positioning for the upcoming year; plans for additional route service; expectations related to the merger with Alaska ; expectations about the Starlink systems to be installed on the A321 fleet and in-flight amenity kits; expectations related to Hawaiian's freighter operation; the Company's environmental commitments; the Company's outlook for the first fiscal quarter and fiscal year 2024; and statements as to other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts or statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," variations of such words, and similar expressions are also intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's operations and business environment, all of which may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, in these forward-looking statements.

The Company is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed from time to time in the Company's public filings and public announcements, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that may be filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof.  The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied herein will not be realized.

Table 1.

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except for per share data) (unaudited)

 
   

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

 

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

   

(in thousands, except per share data)

Operating Revenue:

                       

Passenger

 

$   601,621

 

$   650,841

 

(7.6) %

 

$  2,460,005

 

$  2,335,440

 

5.3 %

Other

 

67,453

 

80,194

 

(15.9) %

 

256,279

 

305,827

 

(16.2) %

Total

 

669,074

 

731,035

 

(8.5) %

 

2,716,284

 

2,641,267

 

2.8 %

Operating Expenses:

                       

Wages and benefits

 

223,012

 

218,045

 

2.3 %

 

951,524

 

833,137

 

14.2 %

Aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery

 

202,059

 

213,204

 

(5.2) %

 

766,133

 

817,077

 

(6.2) %

Aircraft rent

 

28,914

 

25,859

 

11.8 %

 

109,741

 

103,846

 

5.7 %

Maintenance materials and repairs

 

75,296

 

65,219

 

15.5 %

 

244,296

 

236,153

 

3.4 %

Aircraft and passenger servicing

 

44,815

 

42,060

 

6.6 %

 

176,698

 

152,550

 

15.8 %

Commissions and other selling

 

30,808

 

32,076

 

(4.0) %

 

117,132

 

113,843

 

2.9 %

Depreciation and amortization

 

32,840

 

33,735

 

(2.7) %

 

133,615

 

136,169

 

(1.9) %

Other rentals and landing fees

 

44,797

 

37,122

 

20.7 %

 

171,371

 

147,143

 

16.5 %

Purchased services

 

36,001

 

33,637

 

7.0 %

 

144,822

 

129,350

 

12.0 %

Special items

 

10,561

 

12,500

 

(15.5) %

 

10,561

 

18,803

 

(43.8) %

Other

 

51,721

 

50,365

 

2.7 %

 

184,066

 

163,250

 

12.8 %

Total

 

780,824

 

763,822

 

2.2 %

 

3,009,959

 

2,851,321

 

5.6 %

Operating Loss

 

(111,750)

 

(32,787)

 

240.8 %

 

(293,675)

 

(210,054)

 

39.8 %

Nonoperating Income (Expense):

                       

Interest expense and amortization of debt
discounts and issuance costs

 

(22,358)

 

(23,054)

     

(90,540)

 

(95,815)

   

Interest income

 

13,543

 

11,858

     

57,231

 

32,141

   

Capitalized interest

 

3,123

 

1,070

     

8,833

 

4,244

   

Other components of net periodic benefit cost

 

(1,707)

 

1,252

     

(6,614)

 

5,065

   

Losses on fuel derivatives

 

(6,992)

 

(1,978)

     

(12,619)

 

(3,041)

   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

—

 

—

     

—

 

(8,568)

   

Gains (losses) on investments, net

 

6,304

 

(4,563)

     

(602)

 

(43,082)

   

Gains (losses) on foreign debt

 

(7,245)

 

(15,629)

     

11,500

 

26,667

   

Other, net

 

100

 

913

     

(1,308)

 

(1,406)

   

Total

 

(15,232)

 

(30,131)

     

(34,119)

 

(83,795)

   

Loss Before Income Taxes

 

(126,982)

 

(62,918)

     

(327,794)

 

(293,849)

   

Income tax benefit

 

(25,800)

 

(12,758)

     

(67,300)

 

(53,768)

   

Net Loss

 

$ (101,182)

 

$    (50,160)

     

$ (260,494)

 

$ (240,081)

   

Net Loss Per Common Stock Share:

                       

Basic

 

$        (1.96)

 

$        (0.98)

     

$        (5.05)

 

$        (4.67)

   

Diluted

 

$        (1.96)

 

$        (0.98)

     

$        (5.05)

 

$        (4.67)

   

Weighted Average Number of Common
Stock Shares Outstanding:

                       

Basic

 

51,655

 

51,413

     

51,596

 

51,361

   

Diluted

 

51,655

 

51,413

     

51,596

 

51,361

   

 

Table 2.

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

Selected Statistical Data

(in thousands, except as otherwise indicated) (unaudited)

 
   

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

 

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

   

(in thousands, except as otherwise indicated)

Scheduled Operations:

                       

Revenue passengers flown

 

2,655

 

2,651

 

0.2 %

 

10,876

 

9,995

 

8.8 %

Revenue passenger miles (RPM)

 

4,219,482

 

3,982,719

 

5.9 %

 

16,860,663

 

14,932,750

 

12.9 %

Available seat miles (ASM)

 

5,100,896

 

4,931,687

 

3.4 %

 

20,196,230

 

18,636,466

 

8.4 %

Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield)

 

14.26  ¢

 

16.34  ¢

 

(12.7) %

 

14.59  ¢

 

15.64  ¢

 

(6.7) %

Passenger load factor (RPM/ASM)

 

82.7 %

 

80.8 %

 

1.9     pt.

 

83.5 %

 

80.1 %

 

3.4     pt.

Passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM)

 

11.79   ¢

 

13.20  ¢

 

(10.7) %

 

12.18  ¢

 

12.53  ¢

 

(2.8) %

Total Operations:

                       

Revenue passengers flown

 

2,656

 

2,655

 

— %

 

10,879

 

10,015

 

8.6 %

RPM

 

4,220,584

 

3,988,798

 

5.8 %

 

16,864,998

 

14,964,500

 

12.7 %

ASM

 

5,103,666

 

4,940,514

 

3.3 %

 

20,204,497

 

18,684,642

 

8.1 %

Passenger load factor (RPM/ASM)

 

82.7 %

 

80.7 %

 

2.0     pt.

 

83.5 %

 

80.1 %

 

3.4     pt.

Operating revenue per ASM (RASM)

 

13.11   ¢

 

14.80  ¢

 

(11.4) %

 

13.44  ¢

 

14.14  ¢

 

(5.0) %

Operating cost per ASM (CASM)

 

15.30  ¢

 

15.46  ¢

 

(1.0) %

 

14.90  ¢

 

15.26  ¢

 

(2.4) %

CASM excluding aircraft fuel and non-recurring items (a)

 

11.77   ¢

 

10.89  ¢

 

8.1 %

 

11.29   ¢

 

10.78  ¢

 

4.7 %

Aircraft fuel expense per ASM (b)

 

3.96  ¢

 

4.32  ¢

 

(8.3) %

 

3.79  ¢

 

4.37  ¢

 

(13.3) %

Revenue block hours operated

 

52,961

 

51,715

 

2.4 %

 

211,019

 

195,361

 

8.0 %

Gallons of jet fuel consumed

 

68,756

 

64,485

 

6.6 %

 

268,491

 

239,231

 

12.2 %

Average cost per gallon of jet fuel (actual) (b)

 

$       2.94

 

$       3.31

 

(11.2) %

 

$            2.85

 

$          3.42

 

(16.7) %

Economic fuel cost per gallon (b)(c)

 

$       2.98

 

$       3.31

 

(10.0) %

 

$            2.89

 

$          3.42

 

(15.5) %

   

(a)

See Table 4 for a reconciliation of CASM excluding aircraft fuel and non-recurring items to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

(b)

Includes applicable taxes and fees.

(c)

See Table 3 for a reconciliation of economic fuel cost per gallon to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Table 3.
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Economic Fuel Expense
(in thousands, except per-gallon amounts) (unaudited)

The price and availability of aircraft fuel is volatile due to global economic and geopolitical factors that we can neither control nor accurately predict. The increase in aircraft fuel expense is illustrated in the following table:

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve months ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

 

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

   

(in thousands, except per-gallon amounts)

Aircraft fuel expense, including taxes and delivery

 

$  202,059

 

$  213,204

 

(5.2) %

 

$  766,133

 

$  817,077

 

(6.2) %

Fuel gallons consumed

 

68,756

 

64,485

 

6.6 %

 

268,491

 

239,231

 

12.2 %

Average fuel price per gallon, including taxes and delivery

 

$        2.94

 

$        3.31

 

(11.2) %

 

$        2.85

 

$        3.42

 

(16.7) %

The Company believes that economic fuel expense is a good measure of the effect of fuel prices on its business as it most closely approximates the net cash outflow associated with the purchase of fuel for its operations in a period. The Company defines economic fuel expense as GAAP fuel expense plus losses/(gains) realized through actual cash (receipts)/payments received from or paid to hedge counterparties for fuel hedge derivative contracts settled during the period.

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

 

2023

 

2022

 

% Change

   

(in thousands, except per-gallon amounts)

Aircraft fuel expense, including taxes and delivery

 

$  202,059

 

$  213,204

 

(5.2) %

 

$  766,133

 

$  817,077

 

(6.2) %

Realized losses on settlement of fuel derivative instruments

 

2,749

 

401

 

585.5 %

 

10,923

 

401

 

2,623.9 %

Economic fuel expense

 

$  204,808

 

$  213,605

 

(4.1) %

 

$  777,056

 

$  817,478

 

(4.9) %

Fuel gallons consumed

 

68,756

 

64,485

 

6.6 %

 

268,491

 

239,231

 

12.2 %

Economic fuel costs per gallon

 

$        2.98

 

$        3.31

 

(10.0) %

 

$        2.89

 

$        3.42

 

(15.5) %

 

   

Estimated three months ending
March 31, 2024

 

Estimated twelve months ending
December 31, 2024

   

(in thousands, except per-gallon amounts)

Aircraft fuel expense, including taxes and delivery

 

$           179,716

–

$           184,901

 

$           709,756

–

$           730,230

Realized (gains)/losses on settlement of fuel
derivative contracts

 

2,775

–

2,775

 

11,100

–

11,100

Economic fuel expense

 

$           182,491

 

$           187,676

 

$           720,856

 

$           741,330

Fuel gallons consumed

 

67,447

–

69,393

 

278,051

–

286,072

Economic fuel costs per gallon

 

$                 2.71

–

$                 2.71

 

$                 2.59

–

$                 2.59

Table 4.
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation (unaudited)

The Company evaluates its financial performance utilizing various GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net income (loss), adjusted operating expenses, adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share (EPS), CASM, Passenger Revenue per RPM, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted pre-tax margin. Pursuant to Regulation G, the Company has included the following reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis.  The adjustments are described below:

  • CBA related expense .
    • In February 2023 , pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) ratified a new four-year CBA, which included, amongst other things, a signing bonus, pay scale increases across all fleet types, improved health benefits and cost sharing, and enhancements to the Company's postretirement and disability plans. In connection with the ratification, the Company recorded a signing bonus and vacation liability true-up of $17.7 million which were recorded in wages and benefits during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 .
    • In February 2022 , employees represented by the IAM-M and IAM-C ratified a new CBA, which included a one-time signing bonus of $2.1 million , which was recorded in wages and benefits during the first quarter of 2022. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company and the IAM completed a separation program under the CBA and recognized a $2.6 million one-time expense, which was recorded in wages and benefits.
  • Employee retention credit (ERC) . During the three months ended December 31, 2023 , the Company received a $32.5 million employee retention credit under the CARES Act, which was recorded in Wages and benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the Company received $1.8 million in interest income in connection with the ERC, which was recorded in Interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
  • Contract termination amortization. In December 2022 , the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of its third-party service providers to early terminate its Amended and Restated Complete Fleet Services Agreement (Amended CFS) covering A330-200 aircraft. The Amended CFS was originally scheduled to run through December 2027 , but terminated in April 2023 . Upon execution of the MOU, the Company recognized in fiscal year 2022 $12.5 million in termination fees. As of December 31, 2022 , the Company had approximately $24.1 million in deferred liabilities to be recognized into earnings over the remaining contract term as contra-maintenance materials and repairs expense. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 , the Company recognized approximately $0.0 million and $24.1 million , respectively, in amortization within Maintenance, materials and repairs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
  • Special items . The Company recorded the following as special items:
    • During the third quarter of 2022, the Company estimated the fair value of our remaining ATR-42 and ATR-72 aircraft, which resulted in the recognition of a $6.3 million impairment charge recorded as a Special item in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its third-party service provider to early terminate its Amended and Restated Complete Fleet Services (CFS) Agreement (Amended CFS). The Amended CFS was originally scheduled to run through December 2027 , but terminated in April 2023 . In connection with the MOU, the Company agreed to pay a total of $12.5 million in termination fees, which was recognized at execution as a Special item in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • During the year ended December 31, 2023 , the Company recorded $10.6 million in Special items related to expenses related to its merger with Alaska Air Group, primarily consisting of legal, advisory, and other fees.
  • Loss (gain) on sale of aircraft . During the second quarter of 2022, the Company sold three ATR-72 aircraft and recognized a $2.6 million gain on the transactions, which was recorded in Other operating expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
  • Gain on sale of commercial real estate . In February 2023 , the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of its commercial real estate and recognized a gain on sale of $10.2 million , which was recorded in Other operating expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
  • Interest income on federal tax refund . In March 2023 , the Company received $4.7 million in interest in connection with a $66.8 million federal tax refund received related to fiscal year 2018. The interest was recorded in Interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In December 2023 , the Company received $1.8 million in interest income in connection with the ERC, which was recorded in Interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
  • Changes in fair value of fuel derivative instruments . Changes in fair value of fuel derivative contracts, net of tax, are based on market prices for open contracts as of the end of the reporting period, and include the unrealized amounts of fuel derivatives (not designated as hedges) that will settle in future periods and the reversal of prior period unrealized amounts.
  • Loss on extinguishment of debt . During the second quarter of 2022, the Company recognized a $8.6 million loss on the extinguishment of its remaining outstanding Series 2020-1A and Series 2020- 1B Equipment Notes. Loss on extinguishment of debt is excluded to allow investors to better analyze our core operational performance and more readily compare our results to other airlines in the periods presented below.
  • Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign debt . Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign debt is based on fluctuation in exchange rates and the measurement of foreign-denominated debt to our functional currency.
  • Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities . Unrealized losses on equity securities and gains on derivative instruments in our investment portfolio are driven by changes in market prices and currency fluctuations, which are recorded in Other nonoperating expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company believes that adjusting for the impact of employee retention credits, changes in fair value of equity securities and fuel derivative contracts, fluctuations in exchange rates on debt instruments denominated in foreign currency, non-recurring expenses and income/gains (including CBA-related, contract termination amortization, special items, interest income on tax refund, gain or loss on sale of aircraft, gain on sale of commercial real estate, and loss on extinguishment of debt and the tax effect of such adjustments helps investors better analyze the Company's operational performance and compare its results to other airlines in the periods presented.

   

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

   

Total

 

Diluted
Per Share

 

Total

 

Diluted
Per Share

 

Total

 

Diluted
Per Share

 

Total

 

Diluted
Per Share

   

(in thousands, except per share data)

GAAP net loss, as reported

 

$ (101,182)

 

$    (1.96)

 

$   (50,160)

 

$    (0.98)

 

$ (260,494)

 

$    (5.05)

 

$ (240,081)

 

$    (4.67)

Adjusted for:

                               

CBA related expense

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

17,727

 

0.34

 

4,678

 

0.09

Employee retention credit
(ERC)

 

(32,516)

 

(0.63)

 

—

 

—

 

(32,516)

 

(0.63)

 

—

 

—

Contract termination
amortization

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

(24,085)

 

(0.47)

 

—

 

—

Special items

 

10,561

 

0.21

 

12,500

 

0.24

 

10,561

 

0.21

 

18,803

 

0.37

Loss (gain) on sale of
aircraft

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

392

 

0.01

 

(2,578)

 

(0.05)

Gain on sale of
commercial real estate

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

(10,179)

 

(0.20)

 

—

 

—

Interest income on federal
tax refund

 

(1,820)

 

(0.03)

 

—

 

—

 

(6,492)

 

(0.13)

 

—

 

—

Changes in fair value of
fuel derivative instruments

 

4,243

 

0.08

 

1,577

 

0.03

 

1,696

 

0.03

 

2,640

 

0.05

Loss on extinguishment of
debt

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

8,568

 

0.17

Unrealized loss (gain) on
foreign debt

 

7,123

 

0.14

 

15,501

 

0.30

 

(11,668)

 

(0.22)

 

(26,196)

 

(0.51)

Unrealized loss (gain) on
equity securities

 

(13,904)

 

(0.27)

 

2,110

 

0.04

 

(10,755)

 

(0.21)

 

24,949

 

0.49

Tax effect of adjustments

 

4,824

 

0.09

 

(6,211)

 

(0.12)

 

12,269

 

0.24

 

(1,242)

 

(0.02)

Adjusted Net Loss

 

$ (122,671)

 

$    (2.37)

 

$   (24,683)

 

$    (0.49)

 

$ (313,544)

 

$    (6.08)

 

$ (210,459)

 

$    (4.08)

 

   

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Twelve months ended

December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

   

(in thousands)

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

$          (126,982)

 

$            (62,918)

 

$          (327,794)

 

$          (293,849)

Adjusted for:

               

CBA related expense

 

—

 

—

 

17,727

 

4,678

Employee retention credit (ERC)

 

(32,516)

 

—

 

(32,516)

 

—

Contract termination amortization

 

—

 

—

 

(24,085)

 

—

Special items

 

10,561

 

12,500

 

10,561

 

18,803

Loss (gain) on sale of aircraft

 

—

 

—

 

392

 

(2,578)

Gain on sale of commercial real estate

 

—

 

—

 

(10,179)

 

—

Interest income on federal tax refund

 

(1,820)

 

—

 

(6,492)

 

—

Changes in fair value of fuel derivative instruments

 

4,243

 

1,577

 

1,696

 

2,640

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

8,568

Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign debt

 

7,123

 

15,501

 

(11,668)

 

(26,196)

Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities

 

(13,904)

 

2,110

 

(10,755)

 

24,949

Adjusted Loss Before Income Taxes

 

$          (153,295)

 

$            (31,230)

 

$          (393,113)

 

$          (262,985)

Adjusted EBITDA

The Company believes that adjusting earnings for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-recurring operating expenses (such as changes in unrealized gains and losses on financial instruments) and one-time charges helps investors better analyze the Company's financial performance by allowing for company-to-company and period-over-period comparisons that are unaffected by company-specific or one-time occurrences.

   

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Twelve months ended

December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

   

(in thousands)

Net Loss before Taxes

 

$          (126,982)

 

$            (62,918)

 

$          (327,794)

 

$          (293,849)

Depreciation & Amortization

 

32,840

 

33,735

 

133,615

 

136,169

Interest and amortization of debt

 

22,358

 

23,054

 

90,540

 

95,815

EBITDA, as reported

 

(71,784)

 

(6,129)

 

(103,639)

 

(61,865)

Adjusted for:

               

CBA related expense

 

—

 

—

 

17,727

 

4,678

Employee retention credit (ERC)

 

(32,516)

 

—

 

(32,516)

 

—

Contract termination amortization

 

—

 

—

 

(24,085)

 

—

Special items

 

10,561

 

12,500

 

10,561

 

18,803

Loss (gain) on sale of aircraft

 

—

 

—

 

392

 

(2,578)

Gain on sale of commercial real estate

 

—

 

—

 

(10,179)

 

—

Interest income on federal tax refund

 

(1,820)

 

—

 

(6,492)

 

—

Changes in fair value of fuel derivative contracts

 

4,243

 

1,577

 

1,696

 

2,640

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

8,568

Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign debt

 

7,123

 

15,501

 

(11,668)

 

(26,196)

Unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities

 

(13,904)

 

2,110

 

(10,755)

 

24,949

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$            (98,097)

 

$              25,559

 

$          (168,958)

 

$            (31,001)

Operating Costs per Available Seat Mile (CASM)

The Company has separately listed in the table below its fuel costs per ASM and non-GAAP unit costs, excluding fuel and non-recurring items.  These amounts are included in CASM, but for internal purposes the Company consistently uses cost metrics that exclude fuel and non-recurring items (if applicable) to measure and monitor its costs.

   

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

   

(in thousands, except CASM data)

GAAP operating expenses

 

$       780,824

 

$       763,822

 

$    3,009,959

 

$    2,851,321

Adjusted for:

               

CBA related expense

 

—

 

—

 

(17,727)

 

(4,678)

Employee retention credit (ERC)

 

32,516

 

—

 

32,516

 

—

Contract termination amortization

 

—

 

—

 

24,085

 

—

Special items

 

(10,561)

 

(12,500)

 

(10,561)

 

(18,803)

Gain (loss) on sale of aircraft

 

—

 

—

 

(392)

 

2,578

Gain on sale of commercial real estate

 

—

 

—

 

10,179

 

—

Operating Expenses excluding non-recurring items

 

802,779

 

751,322

 

3,048,059

 

2,830,418

Aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery

 

(202,059)

 

(213,204)

 

(766,133)

 

(817,077)

Operating Expenses excluding fuel and non-recurring items

 

$       600,720

 

$       538,118

 

$    2,281,926

 

$    2,013,341

Available Seat Miles

 

5,103,666

 

4,940,514

 

20,204,497

 

18,684,642

CASM—GAAP

 

15.30 ¢

 

15.46 ¢

 

14.90 ¢

 

15.26 ¢

Aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery

 

(3.96)

 

(4.32)

 

(3.79)

 

(4.37)

CBA related expense

 

—

 

—

 

(0.09)

 

(0.02)

Employee retention credit (ERC)

 

0.64

 

—

 

0.15

 

—

Contract termination amortization

 

—

 

—

 

0.12

 

—

Special items

 

(0.21)

 

(0.25)

 

(0.05)

 

(0.10)

Gain (loss) on sale of aircraft

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

0.01

Gain on sale of commercial real estate

 

—

 

—

 

0.05

 

—

CASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items

 

11.77 ¢

 

10.89 ¢

 

11.29 ¢

 

10.78 ¢

 

   

Estimated three months ending
March 31, 2024

 

Estimated twelve months ending
December 31, 2024

   

(in thousands, except CASM data)

GAAP operating expenses

 

$        785,786

–

$        825,746

 

$     3,214,296

–

$     3,377,846

Aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery

 

(179,716)

–

(184,901)

 

(709,756)

–

(730,230)

Non-recurring items

 

(4,999)

 

(4,999)

 

(85,698)

 

(85,698)

Adjusted operating expenses

 

$        601,071

–

$        635,846

 

$     2,418,842

–

$     2,561,918

Available seat miles

 

5,040,454

–

5,187,980

 

21,416,766

–

22,022,901

CASM – GAAP

 

15.59 ¢

–

15.92 ¢

 

15.01 ¢

–

15.34 ¢

Aircraft fuel, including taxes and delivery

 

(3.57)

–

(3.56)

 

(3.32)

–

(3.32)

Non-recurring items

 

(0.10)

 

(0.10)

 

(0.40)

 

(0.39)

CASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items

 

11.92 ¢

–

12.26 ¢

 

11.29 ¢

–

11.63 ¢

Pre-tax margin

The Company excludes unrealized (gains) losses from fuel derivative instruments, foreign debt, and equity securities, gain on the sale of aircraft, and non-recurring items from pre-tax margin for the same reasons as described above.

   

Three months ended

December 31,

 

Twelve months ended

December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

Pre-Tax Margin, as reported

 

(19.0) %

 

(8.6) %

 

(12.1) %

 

(11.1) %

Adjusted for:

               

CBA related expense

 

—

 

—

 

0.6

 

0.2

Employee retention credit

 

(4.9)

 

—

 

(1.2)

 

—

Contract termination amortization

 

—

 

—

 

(0.9)

 

—

Special items

 

1.6

 

1.7

 

0.4

 

0.7

Loss (gain) on sale of aircraft

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

(0.1)

Gain on sale of commercial real estate

 

—

 

—

 

(0.4)

 

—

Interest income on federal tax refund

 

(0.3)

 

—

 

(0.2)

 

—

Changes in fair value of fuel derivative contracts

 

0.6

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

0.1

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

—

 

—

 

—

 

0.3

Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign debt

 

1.2

 

2.1

 

(0.4)

 

(1.0)

Unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities

 

(2.1)

 

0.3

 

(0.4)

 

0.9

Adjusted Pre-Tax Margin

 

(22.9) %

 

(4.3) %

 

(14.5) %

 

(10.0) %

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hawaiian-holdings-reports-2023-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-financial-results-302048498.html

SOURCE Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

Alaska Airlines creates Hawai‘i Community Advisory Board to deepen local ties

Summary

The Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board (HICAB) will support Alaska’s ongoing commitment to developing a true and authentic understanding of Hawai‘i’s people and culture as the airline combines with Hawaiian Airlines – honoring the legacy and significance of this beloved brand and reinforcing Alaska’s expanded role in Hawai‘i.

New advisory board will enable a stronger connection with Hawai‘i communities.

In an effort to continue cultivating a deep and enduring relationship with local Hawai‘i communities, Alaska Airlines announced today the establishment of the Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board (HICAB). The HICAB will support Alaska’s ongoing commitment to developing a true and authentic understanding of Hawai‘i’s people and culture as the airline combines with Hawaiian Airlines – honoring the legacy and significance of this beloved brand and reinforcing Alaska’s expanded role in Hawai‘i.

“For over four decades, we have had a Community Advisory Board in the state of Alaska to seek input from communities across the state. Over the years, this exchange of ideas and information has helped us remain deeply connected to communities across a vast region that, like in Hawai‘i, are uniquely reliant on air travel. The CAB functions to ensure that our business and service are informed by local needs. We have been proud to serve Hawai‘i for over 16 years, but we know we have more to learn and feel a great responsibility to serve the people of Hawai‘i for generations to come.”

– Ben Minicucci

CEO of Alaska Airlines

The 16-member HICAB represents Alaska Airlines guests in Hawai‘i by diversity of gender, ethnicity and industry sector, including non-profit, education, healthcare, business, tourism and agriculture. The board also ensures geographic diversity with members from each of the main Hawaiian Islands who will serve either two- or three-year staggered terms. The HICAB will be a corporate and community sounding board for Alaska in Hawai‘i, providing feedback and recommendations on Alaska’s business approaches and initiatives, local current events, and community investment needs.COO & Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs & SZKaiao Creative

Paula Akana

President & CEO, The Friends of ʻIolani Palace

Nāʻalehu Anthony

Founder, Palikū Documentary Films

Todd Apo

VP, Community Partnerships & Public Affairs, Hawai‘i Community Foundation

Rosie Davis

Executive Director, Huli Au Ola, Maui County Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

Stephanie Donoho

Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association

Art Gladstone

EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Hawai‘i Pacific Health

Hōkūlani Holt

Director of Kahōkūala, Hawaiian Cultural Arts Institute, UH Maui College

Stephanie Iona

Community Outreach Manager, Kekaha Agriculture Association

Meli James

Cofounder, Mana Up

Valerie Janikowski

Program Administrator, Lānaʻi Kinaʻole

Kūhiō Lewis

CEO, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Colbert Matsumoto

Chairman, Tradewind Group

Ben Rafter

President & CEO, Springboard Hospitality

Trisha Kēhaulani Watson-Sproat

President, Honua Consulting

Jayson Watts

Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Mahi Pono

Kūhaʻo Zane

COO & Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs & SZKaiao Creative

 “The HICAB will be instrumental in shaping the future of Alaska Airlines in Hawai‘i,” said Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines Regional Vice President, Hawai‘i. “Their insights into our local community’s needs and preferences will guide our decision-making, ensuring that our services and initiatives not only resonate with Hawaiʻi residents, but also foster sustainable growth.”

For more information on Alaska’s combination with Hawaiian Airlines, visit our joint website at localcareglobalreach.com.

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Alaska Air Group reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 results 

Announced agreement to acquire Hawaiian Airlines

Achieved record annual operating revenue of $10.4 billion

Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Air Group’s 2023 accomplishments were significant,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “I want to thank our people for delivering a reliable operation, industry-leading cost performance, and a strong 7.5% adjusted pretax margin. As we navigate early 2024, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, providing a premium experience for our guests, and delivering durable financial performance. I am also grateful for how the team has rallied together to demonstrate tremendous professionalism and care in the midst of a challenging start to 2024 for them and our guests. Alaska is a resilient company with a track record of operational excellence, and we are confident in the plans we have laid out to ensure that success moving forward.”

Financial Results:
  • Reported net loss for the fourth quarter and net income for the full year 2023 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $2 million, or $0.02 per share, and $235 million, or $1.83 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 of $22 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, and $58 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.

  • Reported net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $38 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, and $583 million, or $4.53 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $118 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, and $556 million, or $4.35 per diluted share.

  • Generated an adjusted pretax margin of 7.5% for the full year 2023, among the highest in the industry.

  • Recorded $2.6 billion in operating revenue for the fourth quarter, and a record $10.4 billion for the full year 2023.

  • Reduced CASM excluding fuel and special items by 6.6% in the fourth quarter and 2.6% in the full year compared to 2022.

  • Generated $1.1 billion in operating cash flow for the full year 2023.

  • Repurchased approximately 2 million shares of common stock for $75 million in the fourth quarter, bringing total repurchases to approximately 3.5 million shares for $145 million for the full year 2023.

  • Recognized more than $400 million in bank card partner commissions in the fourth quarter and $1.6 billion for the full year 2023, representing a 13% year-over-year increase compared to the full year 2022.

  • Air Group employees earned $200 million of incentive pay in 2023 by achieving profitability, sustainability, operational, and safety targets. The payout represents more than three weeks of pay for most employees.

  • Received an investment grade credit rating of “Baa3” from Moody’s Investors Service, citing the Company’s “strong business profile and conservative financial policy.” 
Balance Sheet and Liquidity:
  • Ended the year with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 46%, within the target range of 40% to 50%.

  • Repaid $40 million in debt in the fourth quarter, bringing total debt payments to $282 million for the full year 2023.
Operational Updates:
  • Agreed to purchase Hawaiian Airlines for $18 per share in cash. The proposed combined airline will preserve both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands and provide guests with an expanded network across the Pacific.

  • Placed our first 737-800 freighter into operating service, with a second 737-800 freighter expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Announced Alaska’s 30th global airline partner, Porter Airlines, opening new opportunities for guests to travel to Canada from the West Coast.

  • Announced new routes beginning in 2024, including: Seattle-Toronto, Anchorage-New York JFK, Anchorage-San Diego, and Portland-Nashville.

  • Enhanced partnership with Condor Airlines with a bilateral codeshare agreement that enables Alaska and Condor to sell each other’s flights.

  • Completed sale of ten Airbus A321neos to American Airlines, with eight transactions occurring in the fourth quarter and two in January.

  • Introduced inflight contactless payment Tap to Pay, an industry first, providing customers with an easier option to make purchases while flying.
737-9 MAX Grounding:
  • Preparing to complete the final inspections on all of our 737-9 MAX aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service after the inspection has been completed and any findings resolved.

  • Completed requested inspections of all 737-900ER aircraft with only one minor finding which was immediately corrected.

  • Initiated a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight to enhance quality control on new aircraft.

  • Began enhanced quality oversight program at the Boeing production facility, expanding our team to validate work and quality of our aircraft as they progress through the manufacturing process.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates:
  • Partnered with climate-tech company CHOOOSE to offer guests the ability to purchase sustainable aviation fuel credits or support nature-based climate projects upon check-out.

  • Through Alaska’s Care Miles program, Mileage Plan members donated over 100 million miles to 22 different charities in 2023.
Awards and Recognition:
  • Named Worldwide Airline of the Year by the Centre for Aviation at the World Aviation Summit in Abu Dhabi.

  • Achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equity Index in recognition of Alaska’s policies and practices supporting LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
View full financial data

Hawaiian Airlines Boosts Summer Schedule

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi's hometown airline, is preparing for strong summer travel demand to and from Hawaiʻi by increasing flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Austin (AUS), Boston (BOS), Las Vegas (LAS) and Pago Pago (PPG). The airline will also add a fourth daily flight between HNL and Los Angeles (LAX) from May 24 through Sept. 2.

"Travelers will enjoy more options and convenient schedules as they plan their summer travel to and from the islands," said Brent Overbeek, senior vice president and chief revenue officer at Hawaiian Airlines. "This is also the first year we will offer a fourth daily HNL-LAX flight, which reflects the strong demand for our brand in Southern California.”

Hawaiian will operate the routes with an Airbus A330 aircraft, in addition to featuring its flagship Boeing 787-9 on select flights between LAX and HNL. Guests will experience Hawaiian hospitality including culinary delights through the airline’s Featured Chef Series, signature beverages by Kō Hana Rum and Maui Brewing Co., and island treats from the Pau Hana snack cart. Complimentary in-flight entertainment is offered on all transpacific flights and includes the airline’s specially curated video collection, Hana Hou! TV.

Summer Service Additions:

  • AUSTIN: Adding one weekly flight on Fridays (totaling four flights weekly) | May 24 – Aug. 2.
     
  • BOSTON: Adding one weekly flight on Thursdays (totaling five flights weekly) | May 23 – Aug. 1.
     
  • LAS VEGAS (HA5/6): Increasing to daily service (up from four flights weekly and totaling three daily flights) | May 24 – July 31.
     
  • LOS ANGELES: Adding a fourth daily flight | May 24 – Sept. 2.
     
  • PAGO PAGO: Adding one weekly flight on Wednesdays (totaling three flights weekly) | May 22 – Sept. 4.

To view flight schedules or to book a flight, please visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com.

About Hawaiian Airlines
Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's largest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.

Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi. The carrier was named Hawaiʻi's best employer by Forbes in 2022 and has topped Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline for the past two years. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 18 consecutive years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha by offering complimentary meals for all guests on transpacific routes and the convenience of no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats. HawaiianMiles members also enjoy flexibility with miles that never expire. As Hawai‘i’s hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow Hawaiian’s Twitter updates (@HawaiianAir), become a fan on Facebook  (Hawaiian Airlines), and follow us on Instagram (hawaiianairlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian’s LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines’ online newsroom.

 

Alaska Air Group announces webcast of fourth-quarter 2023 financial results

Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK), the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss 2023 fourth quarter financial results at 11:30 a.m. EDT/ 8:30 a.m. PDT, Thursday, January 25, 2024. A webcast of the call will be available to the public at www.alaskaair.com/investors. An archive of the call will be posted on the website later that morning.

Alaska Airlines adds new nonstop flight between Seattle and Toronto   

It’s the first time we’ll connect our home airport to Canada’s largest city 

Alaska Airlines is announcing new service this spring to a dynamic Canadian destination our guests are going to love: We’ll begin daily nonstops between Seattle and Toronto starting on May 16, 2024, with convenient departure and arrival times. Tickets are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com. 

Toronto is the largest city in Canada along the shores of Lake Ontario. It’s a brand-new destination for us from our home airport in Seattle. For visitors, the possibilities are endless in Toronto with its bustling downtown and walkable neighborhoods, stunning parks, rich history and diverse restaurants and entertainment. 

“We’re always focused on better connecting the Pacific Northwest with additional nonstops in our network,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. “There’s a strong desire by our guests for a Seattle-Toronto flight that connects a pair of exciting cities not only for leisure travel but also links key business centers between the U.S. and Canada.” 

New Seattle-Toronto nonstop service 

Route Start Date Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft 
Seattle – Toronto May 16, 2024 7:00 a.m. 2:40 p.m. Daily 737-900 
Toronto – Seattle May 16, 2024 3:40 p.m. 5:55 p.m. Daily 737-900 
Times are local 

Toronto will be the sixth Canadian city we fly to, in addition to Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria. 

This isn’t the first time we’ve flown to eastern Canada from the West Coast. In the early 90’s, we flew nonstop service between Los Angeles and Toronto. 

In December, we announced our 30th global airline partnership with Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that’s based in Toronto. Alaska and Porter look to strengthen our partnership throughout 2024. Porter began new flights from Los Angeles to Toronto on Jan. 16, and will start new service between San Francisco and Toronto on Jan. 25. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased at alaskaair.com.  

 

Sabre and Hawaiian Airlines sign new distribution agreement that will provide NDC content to Sabre-connected agencies

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HONOLULU – Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR) and Hawaiian Airlines have signed a multi-year distribution agreement that will provide Sabre-connected agencies with long-term access to the carrier’s HA Connect™ NDC and traditional EDIFACT content through the Sabre travel marketplace.

Hawaiian Airlines and Sabre will be working closely together on the integration of HA Connect™ NDC content in the Sabre GDS, which is expected to be available by the end of 2024. Once live, it will enable hundreds of thousands of Sabre-connected agencies and travel buyers to have even richer access to the carrier’s broad range of products and offers, as travel agents will be able to shop, book, and manage Hawaiian Airlines’ NDC and EDIFACT offers through Sabre’s Offer and Order APIs, the point-of-sale tool, Sabre Red 360, and the corporate booking solution, GetThere.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Sabre to expand our long-standing distribution partnership to not only EDIFACT but also HA Connect™ content once the technical connectivity has been implemented,” said Brent Overbeek, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Hawaiian Airlines. “Hawaiian Airlines is continuously expanding the distribution options and content available to the travel agency community, and NDC is one of the key enablers of that. This agreement will enable Sabre’s travel agents across the globe to access our rich HA Connect™ NDC content.”

Sabre powers a constantly expanding marketplace of travel content. Through its network of agencies and corporations worldwide, Sabre enables airlines to market their fares and offers in a highly efficient way.

“We are happy to support Hawaiian Airlines in their NDC journey and help them unlock new revenue streams while adding even more value for the traveler,” said Roshan Mendis, chief commercial officer at Sabre Travel Solutions. “This agreement is another proof point of our commitment to powering travel retailing, while meeting the unique needs of our airline customers and our travel buyer partners.”

This new agreement also provides closure to the litigation between both companies.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.

Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi. The carrier was named Hawaiʻi's best employer by Forbes in 2022 and has topped Travel + Leisure's World's Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline for the past two years. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 18 consecutive years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha. As Hawai'i's hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow Hawaiian's Twitter updates (@HawaiianAir), become a fan on Facebook (Hawaiian Airlines), and follow us on Instagram (hawaiianairlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian's LinkedIn page.

About Sabre Corporation

Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveler experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world. For more information visit www.sabre.com.

Sabre Media Contacts: Kristin Hays Kristin.hays@sabre.com and Heidi Castle heidi.castle@sabre.com
Investor Contact: Brian Roberts sabre.investorrelations@sabre.com

Hawaiian Holdings Announces 2023 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results Conference Call

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HONOLULU , Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian"), plans to report its 2023 fourth quarter and full year financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, January 30 , 2024.  An investor conference call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time ( 11:30 a.m. HST ) that day.

The call will be open to all interested investors through a live audio webcast accessible in the Investor Relations section of Hawaiian's website at HawaiianAirlines.com . For those who are not able to listen to the live webcast, the call will be archived for 90 days on Hawaiian's website.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Now in its 95th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's largest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa , Australia , Cook Islands , Japan , New Zealand , South Korea and Tahiti.

Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi. The carrier was named Hawaiʻi's best employer by Forbes in 2022 and has topped Travel + Leisure's World's Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline for the past two years. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 18 consecutive years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha by offering complimentary meals for all guests on transpacific routes and the convenience of no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats. HawaiianMiles members also enjoy flexibility with miles that never expire. As Hawai'i's hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com . Follow Hawaiian's Twitter updates ( @HawaiianAir ), become a fan on Facebook  ( Hawaiian Airlines ), and follow us on Instagram ( hawaiianairlines ). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian's LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines' online newsroom .

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hawaiian-holdings-announces-2023-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-financial-results-conference-call-302036173.html

SOURCE Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

Next steps with the Boeing 737-9 MAX and aircraft quality assurance

Updated on Jan. 13, 2024

Alaska Airlines began preliminary inspections this weekend on a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring more data from Boeing before approving the manufacturer’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions that will be used to conduct final inspections on all 737-9 MAX and safely return the planes to service. Up to 20 of our planes could undergo preliminary inspections. 

Moving forward 

Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world. 

Last week’s incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement. 

Boeing leadership has publicly said that this incident is the result of a “quality escape.” This week, we engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line for Alaska. 

We welcome and appreciate the FAA’s recently announced steps to audit and review all safety processes in the production of the 737-9 MAX aircraft, and more broadly at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s supplier that builds the fuselage for the planes. 

In addition to the FAA’s review and oversight, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:  

  • Our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight, and will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.  
  • Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.  

Over many decades, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing. With a commitment to transparency and candor, we are dedicated to working together to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes for our employees and guests.

Restoring Oʻahu’s Ala Wai Canal, One Genki Ball at a Time

Last week, in the early hours of a bluebird day in Honolulu, a group of Hawaiian Airlines employees and their children lined up at the edge of the Ala Wai Canal and took their pitching stance. In each hand was a Genki Ball, a tennis ball-sized mound of cured mud, rich with microorganisms, that is helping restore the polluted waterway.

Volunteers threw them into the canal before grabbing another and doing it again – until 2,625 balls had been tossed. Upon sinking to the canal floor, the balls began digesting layers of harmful contaminants and thick sludge that have built up over the decades and restricted the water’s oxygen levels.  

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Team Kōkua, our employee volunteer group, often make and toss Genki Balls with the Genki Ala Wai Project.

 

Oʻahu visitors have likely seen the Ala Wai Canal, one of the many picturesque backdrops of Waikīkī. People often run, walk their dogs or bike along its 3.5-mile promenade, and outrigger canoe paddlers often practice for races in its gentle waters. However, the iconic landmark was recently named one of the most polluted waterways in the state.

All of that is changing, thanks in part to the hard work and brain trust of the Genki Ala Wai Project and its volunteers. Since 2019, the Genki Ala Wai Project, a nonprofit group under the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation, has gathered community partners – including Hawaiian Airlines – to accomplish one big goal: making the Ala Wai Canal safe for fishing and swimming in seven years (by 2026).

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According to Nago, the Japanese word "genki" means healthy and full of vitality and was coined by Osaka fishermen.

 

The science applied is called bioremediation, which is the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from soil and water. The process is so simple that everyone from elementary school classrooms to corporate offices has joined the effort.

“This is the first project of its kind in the country and allows children and adults to work together toward an easy solution for a big problem,” said Hiromichi Nago, project advisor and president of EM Hawaii, LLC, the distributor of the specific microbial mixture used to make the Genki Balls.

Here’s a snapshot of how it works: the mixture, called EM•1® , which contains dormant strains of lactic acid bacteria, yeast and phototrophic bacteria, is mixed with clay soil, rice bran, molasses and water. Then, it’s hand-shaped like a snowball and left to cure in a cool, dry space for two weeks. The result is a solid, seemingly indestructible mud ball that activates after it is embedded in the sludge-covered canal floor and interacts with the water. At that point, “the fermentative bacteria begin to digest and oxygenate the sludge. At the same time, the phototrophic bacteria consume harmful gases and contain foul odors,” according to the project website.

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Nago, shown peering into a toss site along the Ala Wai, says the difference in water quality is noticeable by the naked eye.

 

Hawaiian Airlines has supported the Genki Ala Wai Project through financial donations and volunteers since 2022. For example, thousands of our employees made and tossed about 10,490 Genki Balls into the Ala Wai during a company-wide purpose and values retreat last fall. Our various workgroups have also leveraged the tossing events for team bonding.

“Restoring the Ala Wai has long been a challenge for our community, but over the past few years, there has been this collective understanding that returning those waters to a healthy state is a critical step in creating a more resilient and sustainable Hawaiʻi,” explained Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian.

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The Ala Wai Canal pictured at sunset.

 

“A lot of community leaders – many of which are our partners – have passionately stepped forward to move these efforts along, but the Genki Ala Wai Project has really stood out,” she continued. “It has helped the people rise and find a role in what seemed like an unsolvable problem. The project has empowered the youth and community to learn about this place and to be a part of the solution, and many of our employees who have thrown a Genki ball now see the Ala Wai with a renewed sense of pride and hope.”

When Nago announced this project five years ago, he estimated 300,000 Genki Balls needed to be tossed into the Ala Wai to make it swimmable and fishable by 2026. As of this month, he expects to reach two-thirds of that total by the end of the year, and Nakanelua-Richards shared Hawaiian will continue providing support until the project is complete.

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Team Kōkua volunteers pictured tossing Genki Balls into the water during a team bonding event.

 

Until then, Nago and his team are working on engaging new and existing partners and continuing to collect meaningful scientific data at the toss sites and events. However, the impact of the microbes' work is visible to the naked eye.

“With or without data, you can see how areas that were once impossible to see through are now mostly clear,” he emphasized. “Another indicator is wildlife. Fish have returned, including species like moi [Pacific threadfin], ʻamaʻma [striped mullet], ʻāholehole [Hawaiian flagtail] and pāpio [trevally]. People even spotted a Hawaiian monk seal swimming up the canal. That was a big moment for everyone. All of that is because the layers of sludge on the reef are beginning to clear and oxygen is returning. So, we know this bioremediation is helping.”

 

Aside from the Genki Ala Wai Project, Nago and his team at EM Hawaiʻi are surveying locations on Maui – including areas impacted by the West Maui wildfires – to identify opportunities for bioremediation. His team has also engaged communities statewide to restore health to ponds and streams in Nānākuli in West Oʻahu and at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Garden in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island. They recently launched the Genki Kapālama Project in partnership with Kamehameha Schools to use Genki Balls at the Kapālama Drainage Canal in Honolulu.

To learn more about the Genki Ala Wai Project, visit www.genkialawai.org.

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