Valley Isle Voices The Focus of Hawaiian Airlines’ New Travel Pono Maui Video Series

As Maui’s economy struggles in the aftermath of the Lāhainā wildfires, Hawaiian Airlines today launched a new, Maui-focused video series under its acclaimed Travel Pono (Responsibly) program. Hawaiian debuted the first of three new Travel Pono Maui videos hosted by Maui-based airline employees who share thoughts on what it means to visit the island today and how to have a great experience, while positively impacting the community. The airline has received hundreds of inquiries from guests asking whether it is appropriate to visit Maui now and what they should expect when they do. This series aims to answer those questions – through the voices of residents.

While non-essential travel to West Maui remains discouraged by the State of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian is welcoming visitors and fellow kamaʻāina to return to Maui and enjoy popular spots like historic Pāʻia, sunny Kīhei and the rolling hills of upcountry.

HA - MAUI TRAVEL PONO-223

The view from Maui Bees, located on the leeward slopes of Haleakalā.

 

“This is a special moment to visit Maui, with unique opportunities to experience the place and also responsibilities,” said Avi Mannis, chief marketing officer at Hawaiian Airlines. “As the hometown airline, we have a special role to play in supporting Maui. In speaking with our teammates who live on Maui and local business owners, we felt it was important to help them share what visitors can experience visiting Maui today, and what mindful travel to and within Maui looks like as the island recovers.” 

HA - MAUI TRAVEL PONO-124

Gerraine Nakama, Travel Pono Maui host and Hawaiian Airlines guest service agent

 

Hawaiian’s Travel Pono Maui videos were developed in collaboration with employees, business owners and community members who call Maui home. All of the videos were filmed on location over the last week to show the Valley Isle as it can be experienced today. Video hosts include Kiakona Ordonez, a flight attendant from Wailuku, Gerraine Nakama, a guest service agent from Haʻikū, and Sheila Sone, an Airbus A321neo captain from Wailuku.

HA - MAUI TRAVEL PONO-66

Sheila Sone, Travel Pono Maui host and Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321neo captain

 

“Maui is definitely open,” Ordonez shared in the opening video, which takes viewers to Kīhei, Kula, Wailuku and Makawao. “But when you travel to Maui and Hawaiʻi, we ask that you travel pono – to be mindful, as if you’re going to someone else’s house, and to be respectful.”

HA - MAUI TRAVEL PONO-260

Kiakona Ordonez, Travel Pono Maui host and Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant

 

The Travel Pono Maui videos, as well as advice on meaningful travel experiences and ways to support relief efforts, are being shared on Hawaiian’s social media channels and at www.HawaiianAirlines.com/TravelPono/Maui.

HA - MAUI TRAVEL PONO-222

A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 at Kahului Airport

 

Hawaiian continues to leverage its operation to bolster the West Maui community. In addition to its immediate airlift and cargo efforts in the days following the fires, the carrier has:  

  • Fielded nearly 150 requests from the community for airlift and shipping support through its Mālama Maui Desk.  
  • Shipped more than 175,000 pounds of relief supplies to Maui for government and nonprofit organizations, from food to medical equipment, as well as nearly 18,000 pounds of supplies through its employee shipping program. 
  • Carried hundreds of first responders and relief staff to and from Maui. 
  • Raised funds for Maui, including its donation of $150,000 ($50,000 each to Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Maui Food Bank and the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation), to further support relief work.
  • Raised nearly 110 million HawaiianMiles for the American Red Cross of Hawaii, on top of a 30-million-mile match.
  • Provided volunteers to Hawaiʻi Foodbank and held a food drive that collected more than 10,000 pounds of food and other goods. 
  • Supported Maui Ola: A benefit concert for Maui, a live event and broadcast fundraiser that took place at Honolulu's Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum on Aug. 20, by flying in artists, event organizers and participants and providing volunteers.

To learn about supporting West Maui relief efforts, visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com/MalamaMaui.

Alaska Airlines delivers an industry-leading operation during a busy summer season 

Now that fall is right around the corner, we’re proud to say Alaska Airlines ran the best operation this summer — and it’s all thanks to our 23,000 employees. We operated more than 100,000 flights and safely connected 12.6 million guests (600,000 more than last year) to places and people they love. 

Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, Alaska had the highest completion rate (meaning the lowest rate of cancelled flights) of any other airline – completing 99.7% of scheduled flights and led the industry in on-time performance.  

We take pride in delivering a reliable operation for our guests who depend on us. This summer, we were firing on all cylinders, and we plan to continue this operational excellence as guests entrust us with their holiday travel. We can’t wait to welcome you onboard again. 

We have proven that we can do anything when we work together as a team. We have shown that every flight matters and every guest matters. We earn the trust and loyalty of our guests by delivering on our promises every day and the contributions of every team member makes all the difference,” said Constance von Muehlen, Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer. 

Hawaiian Airlines Begins Ticket Sales for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Boeing 787-9 Air to Air 1_mid

*UPDATE: Among Hawaiian's inaugural Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner routes was nonstop service between OGG and LAX, scheduled to begin May 15. Hawaiian will now operate its daily HNL and PHX service with its 787, in place of OGG and LAX. This news release has been updated to reflect this change.

HONOLULU — Travelers from the Bay Area and Los Angeles planning a Hawaiʻi vacation can be the first to experience the elegant, island-inspired design and comfort of Hawaiian Airlines new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft starting next spring. Hawaiʻi's hometown carrier today began ticket sales for its 787 aircraft, which will initially enter service between Hawaiʻi and San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).

Hawaiian's new flagship aircraft will debut on April 15 with daily service between Honolulu (HNL) and San Francisco through May 14, followed by select flights between HNL and LAX starting May 14, and HNL and Phoenix (PHX) from May 15. Tickets are available at www.hawaiianairlines.com.

Guests boarding Hawaiian's 787 will be immersed in a cabin that evokes Hawaiʻi's beauty through bold textures, soothing sunrise and sunset lighting, and sinuous ocean and wind patterns. The 300-seat aircraft features Hawaiian's newest premium product, Leihōkū Suites (garland of stars): 34 suites that envelop guests in a tranquil space with lie-flat seating, an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen, personal power outlets, wireless cell phone charging and direct aisle access. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, the suites offer privacy or a shared experience with combinable double suites allowing couples to fall asleep while gazing at a starlit ceiling inspired by constellations that guided early Polynesian voyagers.

Boeing 787-9 Air to Air

 

"Our 787's uniquely Hawaiian design and comfort, paired with the award-winning hospitality of our crew, will create an unparalleled experience for our guests on their travel to the islands," said Avi Mannis, chief marketing officer at Hawaiian Airlines.

In developing its Leihōkū Suites , Hawaiian became the first airline to partner with Adient Aerospace – a joint venture between the Boeing Company and Adient, a world leader in automotive seats. Hawaiian's 787 Main Cabin consists of 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire light-weight seats with ergonomically contoured back and armrests that maximize seat space, offer more shoulder and hip room and feature a 12-inch seatback monitor with USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

Each design element of Hawaiian's 787 celebrates navigators who have sailed the Pacific by observing the stars, sun, winds, waves and wildlife. The airline worked with design consultant Teague to realize Hawaiian's vision of honoring Pacific exploration in a modern aircraft.

Every detail of the interior pays homage to Hawaiʻi's pristine environment, from wall panels depicting native wood grains to the lavatory floor inspired by shimmering black volcanic sand. 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) is integrated into seat row numbers and other placards. Laminates and fabrics reflect the forms of native Hawaiian plants.

The 787 offers enhanced cabin air filtration and its carbon-fiber composite airframe permits travel at a lower cabin altitude, resulting in a more comfortable flight. Guests will also notice a quiet cabin thanks to acoustic-treated engine inlets, as well as extra-large, dimmable windows, spacious overhead bins and lavatory toilets and faucets with touchless activation.

Hawaiian is scheduled to receive the first of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in January, with additional deliveries planned through 2027.


About Hawaiian Airlines

Now in its 94th 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.

As Hawai'i's hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully. Hawaiian reminds guests traveling to the island of Maui that West Maui is currently inaccessible for visitors due to recent wildfires; however, most of the island, including Kahului , Wailuku , Kihei , Wailea, Makena, Paia and Hana remains open. To learn about Hawaiian's response to the West Maui wildfires and how to support recovery initiatives, visit: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/travelpono/maui

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.

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 .

Two Hawai‘i Students Receive $10,000 ASU Grants Under Hawaiian Airlines’ IT Scholarship Fund

Hawaiian Airlines and Arizona State University (ASU) have awarded the first of eight $10,000 grants under the New Horizons Scholarship Fund to two Native Hawaiian undergraduates enrolled in the W. P. Carey School of Business’s Information Systems program. Hauʻoli Kalipi, a sophomore and graduate from Hilo High School on the Island of Hawai‘i, and Preston Naʻalelalani Ponteras, a senior and a Kamehameha Schools graduate from Oʻahu, each received $10,000 last month in college tuition assistance to encourage their journey toward information technology careers.

"We are incredibly grateful for this new scholarship to support our students from Hawai’i in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines,” says Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. “Hauʻoli and Preston were selected based on their exceptional academic performance and remarkable contributions to the W. P. Carey and ASU community. The partnership with Hawaiian Airlines embodies our commitment to academic excellence while taking responsibility for the well-being of our community.”

ASUTempeCampus_02

Image credit: Arizona State University

 

In a thank you letter, Kalipi shared that her goal is to use her degree to help Hawaiʻi businesses like Hawaiian Airlines or go into sports analytics. “I am proud of how far I have come academically and professionally and to represent the department as a Native Hawaiian student,” she wrote. “I am currently an honors college student and a W.P. Carey Leadership Academy member. I have also recently started working as a data assistant to begin my professional career.”

Ponteras also expressed pride in calling Hawaiʻi home and representing his community in Arizona. “As someone who was born and raised in Hawaiʻi, it is important that I put on my best to represent the islands in everything that I do,” he wrote. “For my accomplishments to be recognized by Hawaiian Airlines is a blessing and another accomplishment in my book. This scholarship makes me excited for the next time I get to step onto their aircraft for my next journey back home.”

HA ASU

Image credit: Arizona State University
Hauʻoli Kalipi (second from left), Matthew Chimbos, managing director of information technology at Hawaiian Airlines (center right), and Preston Naʻalelalani Ponteras (right) pictured with ASU Mascot Sparky the Sun Devil at the 2023 ʻOhana Day, sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines.

 

Hawaiian’s partnership with ASU, one of the largest U.S. universities, was formalized in January with the establishment of the New Horizons Scholarship: a $100,000 fund composed of eight $10,000 grants dedicated toward Hawaiʻi students pursuing IT pathways and a $20,000 sponsorship of ASU’s annual ʻOhana Day, a gathering for Hawaiʻi students and their families. The goal: invest directly into the future workforce to help meet the growing demand for skilled IT professionals at Hawaiian Airlines and across Hawaiʻi.

“Meeting Hauʻoli and Preston and congratulating in person them was a thrill; it's clear they are phenomenal students with enormous talent,” shared Matthew Chimbos, managing director of information technology at Hawaiian Airlines, after attending ASU’s 2023 ʻOhana Day. “ASU has been a great partner in providing impactful and relevant learning opportunities to Hawaiʻi students interested in the burgeoning IT sector, and I hope to see our scholarship recipients at Hawaiian Airlines in the future.”

HAL060319_0036

Hawaiian is aggressively investing in Hawaiʻi-focused career pathways as it enhances its IT systems and prepares for a new growth phase.

 

Currently, 702 Hawaiʻi students attend Arizona State University, which has an average 143,000 student population and continues to grow annually. The W. P. Carey Department of Information Systems is consistently ranked top 20 in the nation for both undergraduate and graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report and focuses on fostering skills in information systems and data analytics skills for real-world application.
 

HonCC HA

Image credit: Honolulu Community College

 

Hawaiian last month also provided a $100,000 gift to the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) to establish a scholarship for students attending information technology, computer science, cybersecurity and related computer technology programs at one of the UH System’s three four-year universities. Last year, Hawaiian announced an innovative program with Honolulu Community College in which airline instructors teach classes for the school’s Aeronautics Maintenance Program, and it also joined UH’s IT/Cyber Leap-Start Experience Excelerator Program to offer valuable on-the-job training to local students. 

Plan for busy end of summer travel season with tips for Labor Day weekend 

With Labor Day weekend only days away, summer is coming to an end, but travel is in full swing— and we’ve got all the pointers to get you wherever you want to spend your long weekend with ease. 

From Thursday to Monday, we expect nearly 700,000 guests throughout our network, an increase of nearly 8% from last year.  

Passenger levels for the Labor Day period are expected to be at pre-pandemic levels. Volume at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, our largest hub, will be about 18 percent higher than it was last year, according to the Port of Seattle. AAA also reports domestic bookings are up 4% this year. 

Safe to say, it’s going to be a busy weekend — we expect full aircraft, busy airports and lots of guests — but we’ve got you covered. 

As we head into a big travel weekend, credit to our people for running a safe and reliable operation while showing care for each other and our guests throughout the summer. Labor Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of our team – 85% of employees at Alaska Airlines are represented by a union, and we know our labor partners are integral to our success as a company. We are proud to lead the industry this summer with the best on-time performance and fewest flight cancellations. When we work together as one team, these are the results that we deliver.”

– Constance von Muehlen, Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
What were this summer’s hottest destinations?  

Travelers this summer loved cities and sunshine. Millions of our guests made these destinations the most popular for 2023 summer adventures: 

Anchorage 

We offer the most flights to Anchorage year-round, including the most nonstop flights than any other major airline. This is the first Labor Day you’ll be able to fly nonstop to Anchorage from Paine Field. Alaska’s largest city is packed with adventure—from stunning views of glaciers, wildlife, whale watching and more, it’s surely one to add to your bucket list.  

San Diego 

We’re proud to offer our guests the most nonstop destinations from San Diego with four more routes added this year, including Eugene, Washington, DC (IAD-Dulles), Tampa and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo in Mexico. San Diego has become a favorite among our guests for its beaches, comfortable climate and mix of culture and cuisine.  

New York City 

Alaska serves both Newark (EWR) & JFK airport and offers nonstop service from New York to five West Coast cities. Starting on Dec. 14, guests will be able to fly to JFK from Palm Springs. When summer arrives on the East Coast, the warm summer days and endless things to do in the big city draw our guests to the Empire State. 

Honolulu 

For 16 years, we’ve had the privilege of flying our guests to Hawai‘i, one of the most beautiful and amazing places on the planet. We serve four Hawaiian Islands from eight West Coast cities, including our newest route from Paine Field to Honolulu and recently increased to five daily flights between Seattle and Honolulu. 

Orlando 

Alaska offers service from four West Coast cities to Orlando, and this summer many families took advantage of our nonstop flights to the theme park capital of the world. We offer three peak-day flights between Seattle and Orlando International Airport. For our guests on the West Coast, our flights to this popular summer destination are scheduled to allow you to maximize your time at the theme parks.  

Traveling this Labor Day weekend? Here are some tips for a smooth traveling experience:

Check in:

Use the Alaska Airlines mobile app to check in beginning 24 hours before your flight.

Guests should check-in and get a boarding pass on the Alaska app or online at alaskaair.com before heading to the airport. You can download a mobile boarding pass to your phone, text it to yourself, or even print one before arriving to the airport.

Know when to arrive:

Give yourself plenty of time to get to and through the airport. We recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours for international.

Heads up: Some of our hub airports—including Seattle—are undergoing construction that may increase congestion. Parking might also be limited.

Pay for bags ahead of time:

Avoid lines at the airport and pay for up to three checked bags in the Alaska mobile app or on alaskaair.com. You may qualify for complimentary bags if you’re an Alaska Airlines credit card holder, U.S. military personnel or have Elite or oneworld Alliance® status. Learn more about our baggage policies.

With new Bag Tag Stations coming to every airport we serve, you’ll be able to quickly pay for and tag your bags and go. Pro tip: If you’re flying with just a carry on, skip the lobby and head straight to security with your mobile boarding pass.

Get in touch with us:

If you’re an Alaska Mileage Plan member, set up communication preferences in your account profile. Our Reservations team can easily update you if your flight schedule changes due to something like weather. You can receive notifications through the app, email and text (to request more info, simply text HELP to 252752).

Pre-order meals before your flight:

Reserve your favorite meal on the app or online up to 20 hours before your departure. We’ve filled our flight menu with a range of fresh, bright flavors inspired by the West Coast food scene and serve freshly prepared meals and snacks for breakfast, lunch and dinner—always including a vegetarian option.

Enroll in a Trusted Traveler program:

Programs like TSA’s Global Entry and Pre-Check provide expedited screening that reduces your time in the security line and comes with a few other perks including allowing children between 13-17 to enter with an enrolled parent. CLEAR members also rarely worry about being late because they’re always at the front of the security line. Mileage Plan members can now enroll for a CLEAR Plus membership at a reduced rate and receive bonus miles. And our hometown airport, SEA, offers a program called Spot Saver to save a spot in the security line.

Get to your gate faster with CLEAR Plus and enjoy exclusive discounts as a Mileage Plan member.

Request special assistance:

If you need special assistance while traveling, you can request it online or call our dedicated accessible services line at 1-800-503-0101 (dial 711 for relay services). Request wheelchair assistance, add a trained service animal to your trip and more.

Download our free mobile app called Fly for All on the App Store and Google Play, designed for those with cognitive and developmental disabilities, first-time flyers, and unaccompanied minors.

Recharge in our Lounges:

Experience unparalleled airport Lounge service in a quiet space to relax and recharge, or get a little work done between flights in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York – JFK, Portland, or Anchorage to relax before your flight. Lounge members can access the lounge with their digital membership card, available in our mobile app.

Our well-loved Seattle D Concourse Lounge has reopened after a massive makeover (ICYMI: check it out!).

Stream & text in flight:

Snuggle into your seat and choose from over 800 free movies and TV episodes in our entertainment library. Most aircraft feature our streaming entertainment system, letting you watch free movies and TV shows on your own device. Simply connect to our onboard Wi-Fi network during your flight, and visit AlaskaWiFi.com to see browse our extensive library.

On most flights, you can also purchase our streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi for just $8. And enjoy free texting while you fly, by simply connecting to our Wi-Fi.

Earn miles every time you fly:

Make sure your Alaska number is listed with your flight so you can earn miles for every flight you take with Alaska Airlines or any of our partner airlines. Not a member? Join today.

Alaska Airlines appoints new regional vice president for Hawai‘i 

Alaska Airlines has promoted Daniel Chun to regional vice president – Hawai‘i, in a move that underscores the airline’s enduring commitment to the Aloha State. In this newly created role, Chun serves as the senior executive for Alaska Airlines in Hawai‘i, leading the long-term strategy for the company’s growth in the Islands and continuing to deepen Alaska’s longstanding support and engagement within the local community. Alaska started service to the Hawaiian Islands in 2007 and operates the most flights between Hawai‘i and the West Coast than any carrier. 

Alaska Airlines is proud and humbled to have served Hawai‘i for over fifteen years, and Daniel’s leadership has helped us to do so in a way that reflects our values, including our emphasis on care and stewardship,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO. “As we continue to support the relief and recovery efforts on Maui, we are committed to serving the community in Hawai‘i now more than ever and are thrilled to recognize Daniel’s leadership with this new role. Anyone who knows Daniel appreciates his kindness and integrity, and we are grateful to have him as a member of our leadership team.” 

Chun joined Alaska Airlines in 2011 and most recently served as the Hawai‘i director of sales, community and public relations, leading the airline’s public affairs and community outreach efforts throughout the state of Hawai‘i. Through his 12 years of leadership at the company, Alaska has provided nearly $5 million in cash and in-kind support to over 200 local community organizations in Hawai‘i, with a focus on youth, education, and the environment. In addition, Chun serves on the board of the Alaska Airlines Foundation, which has awarded funding support to Hawai‘i nonprofits since 2015. 

“For over a decade, I have had the great privilege of serving our community and supporting Alaska’s culture of care in Hawai‘i,” said Chun. “Alaska has always had a deep sense of stewardship and kuleana for all those who depend on us, and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to grow our presence and impactful work here in the Islands.” 

Chun has over 20 years of experience in Hawai‘i’s tourism industry and is a former board member of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, Chun is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, with a Bachelor of Science degree in travel industry management. He is active in the Hawai‘i community and currently serves on the boards of the Public Schools of Hawai‘i F

Easy-breezy global travel: Verify your passport from home with Alaska Airlines’ Mobile Verify program

We’ve discontinued our partnership with Airside. Now, eligible guests can complete document verification digitally – saving time and skipping lines at the airport. Download the Alaska app to verify your documents in two minutes or less. Learn more at alaskaair.com/verify

With just a couple quick photos, you can securely verify your passport before arriving at the airport. Which means more time to pick up that last minute sunscreen or get your vacation started early with a pre-flight beverage and less time waiting in line at the airport to verify your documents.

Every traveler leaving or entering the United States is required to have their passport verified by their airline. Beginning today, guests traveling internationally on Alaska flights and using U.S. or Canadian passports have the option to use our new Mobile Verify program. This means no longer needing to wait in line in the lobby or at the gate to have a customer service agent check your documents — you can take care of this step safely and securely from the comfort of your home ahead of time.

We’re transforming the airport experience and reimagining how guests get from the lobby to the boarding door — and the use of biometric identities is at the center of this vision. Eventually, guests will be able to flow through every airport touchpoint without having to take out identification documents, simply by controlling their digital identity on their smart phone.

The Mobile Verify platform, powered by Airside, an Onfido company, is just the latest tool we’re implementing to build this vision where everyone has access to self-service tools that lets them fly through the lobby and get to their flight faster.

We’re reimagining the entire guest experience at our airports with the goal of getting you through the lobby in 5 minutes or less,” said Charu Jain, senior vice president of innovation and merchandising. “We’re investing in technology that takes processes traditionally only available at an airport and makes them possible from your smartphone. This new Mobile Verify technology creates a seamless airport experience for guests traveling internationally — eliminating the uncertainty that comes with having to wait in airport lines.”

The safety and security of our guests and their information is our highest priority. We selected a solution that allows guests to completely control the access to their information — everything lives on your smart phone, and you decide when and where it’s shared. This secure process ensures a high level of privacy while also saving you time. 

“Alaska has highly loyal guests thanks to the quality of their service and their commitment to consumer privacy,” said Adam Tsao, General Manager for Airside at Onfido. “We’re proud Airside is helping deliver on this commitment and empower all those who travel on Alaska Airlines with fast, private, and easy airport experiences by putting digital identities in the hands of their flyers.”

How does Mobile Verify work?

One time set-up

First, you will need to create your digital identity – you only have to do this once during the lifespan of your passport.

Look for this logo in your phone’s app store.

1. Download the Airside Digital Identity mobile app on an iOS or Android device.

2. Take a selfie of your face.

3. Scan your passport photo page.

4. Hold your phone against the inside of the passport’s back cover to read the embedded chip.

The app verifies your information by scanning the photo page of the passport and reading the embedded NFC chip. Then, the digital ID is securely stored on your mobile device until you choose where and when to share it.

Before each trip

Because you have already created your digital identity, there are just a couple steps before a trip. The Alaska app will prompt you to open your Airside app to:

1. Select your departure date and location

2. Enter your confirmation code.

This gives a one-time consent to use your digital identity, which alerts Alaska that you have had your documents verified for international travel and do not need to see an agent. You’ll repeat this simple process for each international trip.

Of course, our award-winning customer service agents will always be around to help if you’d rather go the traditional route.

We can’t wait to have you try Mobile Verify on your next international flight!

Support local businesses as Maui recovers  

Updated Sept. 29. 2023

Britney Alejo-Fishell, a Native Hawaiian business owner of a popular lei vendor on Maui has an urgent message for people considering visiting Hawai‘i: We welcome you. We aloha you.  

While West Maui works to recover and rebuild for years to come, the rest of Maui remains open and is ready to welcome mindful travelers back to the island to support business owners like Britney and others listed below. 

If you’ve traveled with us to Maui before, you know local businesses are the heartbeat of the community and part of what makes Maui so special. If you’re interested in supporting the Maui community through recovery—including travel—below are some local Maui businesses to add to your list, where you can go on the island and other ways you can help support Maui. 

Britney Alejo-Fishell

Owner and creator of Haku Maui in Makawao
(Upcountry Maui)

“As we navigate through the recent events that have taken place on Maui and ʻauamo kuleana (assume a sense of responsibility) as a community, Maui continues to need your support and kākoʻo (assistance) in keeping our economy open. We need the likes of both kamaʻāina (locals) and malihini (visitors) to continue to support our local businesses and local economy so that we, as a kaiāulu (community), can continue to give as well. Please continue to support our economy through responsible travel, shopping local, and sharing this message to assist us in amplifying our voices.” 

Cindy Liu

Owner of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Honokōwai
(West Maui)

“Many of us are down to nothing – we’ve lost a lot, but we can recover slowly with the help of responsible tourists and locals returning to Maui. We want our restaurant to thrive again so that we can provide for our community and our family.” 

Riley Coon

Owner, Trilogy Excursions from Lahaina  
(West Maui)

“Aloha, I’m Captain Riley Coon, a Native Hawaiian and a third-generation owner of Trilogy Excursions. We are Maui’s premier ocean activity company established by my grandparents in 1973. We offer Maui’s best sailing and snorkeling experiences on the water, and it’s our passion to create lifelong memories that span generations. I never could have imagined, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary this summer, that soon after we would find ourselves aiding our community by using our boats for Lahaina fire rescues and relief efforts. As we continue to support our local community, we also need to keep our business operational so our employees can have a life on Maui. By choosing to book a trip to Maui and sail with us, you not only will have a first-class experience, but you will be supporting our island towards recovery.” 

Rachael Ray Au Hoon

Owner & artist at U‘i Gallery in Kahului
(Central Maui)

“Aloha! My name is Rachael Ray and I am the owner and oil painter of U‘i Gallery in Kahului, Maui. We’ve been a favorite place to shop for local handmade gifts, art, jewelry, woodwork, apparel, home goods, and fresh flower lei since 2014. U‘i means handsome, pretty, beautiful in the Hawaiian language and truly that is what our gallery feels like the moment you walk into our oasis of aloha. Maui is a very resilient island and the people in our community work together to support each other in times of great need. When you visit Maui, you support us as we all heal and grow together through the change as an ‘ohana (family) in the spirit of aloha. E kipa mai iā Maui (come visit Maui)!” 

Kalani Pe‘a

3-time GRAMMY Award-winning Native Hawaiian singer,
songwriter, and music producer from Wailuku
(Central Maui)

“E hele mai a e kipa mai (please come and visit Maui). As a kānaka (Native Hawaiian) living on Maui, we are now here protecting the cultural landscape and our po‘e (people) of Lahaina, Kā‘anapali and Nāpili. But, Maui is open in Kīhei, Wailea, Hāna, Wailuku, and Kahului. Small business owners and my loved ones in hospitality depend on tourism, as it is a huge part of Maui’s economic growth. You visiting Maui helps put food on our tables and clothes on our children’s backs. Please come. ‘Āmama, ua noa (it’s a blessing to have you). Please come with humility, love, and aloha during these trying times. Maui is not closed – just the west side is. We are open.”  

Where can you travel to Maui right now? 

Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. West Maui accommodations will begin to reopen to visitors on October 8, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advises travelers to check with individual accommodations in West Maui for their reopening plans. As travelers return to Maui, you will help to sustain jobs, keep businesses open, and support the community. 

A message from the County of Maui:

Limited time offer: Hotels and Car Rentals bonus

Support local businesses on Maui while earning Mileage Plan™ bonus miles for hotel and car bookings. 

Earn 2,000 bonus miles with every Maui hotel booking, on top of our fantastic rates and up to 10,000 miles per night at Alaska Hotels. Offer ends December 31, 2023. Restrictions apply.

When you book with Avis and Budget through Alaska Car Rentals, receive 1,000 bonus miles for all Hawaii rentals of 3+ days. That’s in addition to member deals of up to 35% off and 1,250 miles. Rental must be completed by December 31, 2023. Restrictions apply.

Maui still needs your help.  

We are so grateful for the efforts of all our nonprofit partners who’ve been working on the ground to provide much-needed support to local communities. Here are three remarkable organizations we’re supporting, and encourage you to consider contributing to: 

Kanu Hawai‘i and Maui Rapid Response are leading an effort to provide travel support for Maui residents who have been impacted by the wildfires. Together with our employees and guests, Alaska has donated nearly 27 million miles towards this program.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA) Kāko‘o Maui fund will directly support community-driven relief efforts on Maui. CNHA’s mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political and community development of Native Hawaiians. The Alaska Airlines Foundation, together with Alaska employees and our company’s employee Matching Gift program, have pledged more than $150,000 to this campaign over the past few days. 

Airlink is coordinating relief supplies and travel for first responders to support immediate recovery efforts on Maui. Alaska has also donated 1.5 million miles to enable their work. 

Volunteer on Maui

If you’d like to help volunteer while on Maui, consider reaching out to one or more of the following: Maui Food BankMaui Rapid ResponseCommon Ground CollectiveMaui Humane Society, or any of the non-profits and organizations, including those endorsed by the County of Maui, on the Maui Nui Strong website.

Updates on Hawaiian Airlines’ Efforts to Support West Maui

AUG. 25, 2:00 PM HST 

This post served to provide media with timely information related to Hawaiian's response in the immediate aftermath of the wildfires. As of today, time-stamped updates will no longer be shared on this page. Manaʻo readers are encouraged to subscribe to the blog for the latest stories and updates on how Hawaiian is supporting West Maui throughout its long road to recovery.


Previous Updates

AUG. 18, 3:00 PM HST 

Hawaiian Airlines continues to open the bellies of its aircraft to assist organizations embarking on heroic relief efforts – including Maui Humane Society, which has worked around the clock to save the lives of animals and pets injured, lost or displaced during the West Maui wildfires. Since the fires erupted last week, Hawaiian has carried over 200 donated kennels to Kahului, including a shipment of over 100 crates for Island Pet Movers to assist Maui Humane Society with moving pets off the island.

To read more about Hawaiian's movement of donated kennels, click here

Five pet kennels HA206

Five donated kennels being loaded into the cargo hold of flight HA206 to Kahului from Honolulu.

 

Twelve thousand HawaiianMiles members have donated nearly 107 million miles to the American Red Cross of Hawaii’s West Maui emergency response. As of today, 137 million miles, which includes Hawaiian’s match of 30 million miles and is equivalent to 18,000 flights, have been raised to help mobilize the nonprofit's volunteers and personnel supporting West Maui residents affected by the disaster. 

For information on how to donate miles and other impactful ways to mālama Maui, click here.

 

AUG. 17, 11:30 AM HST 

In answering a colleague’s call for help, Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants mobilized members of a Facebook group to send roughly 500 pounds of items to Maui families in need. Since Sunday, Hawaiian’s cargo team has accepted approximately 3,900 pounds of employee shipments, with the most common items being baby essentials, dry and canned food items, clothing, toiletries and empty gas cans. To read more about this effort, click here.

Resized_IMG_1339

Flight Attendants Curtis Kawamura, Anna Sable, Erika Ledesma and Carley Tomagan

 

As of Aug. 16, a special Maui relief fund under Hawaiian Airlines’ Wings of Hope program, which enables the carrier's employees to support each other during times of severe hardship, has collected 398 donations totaling $153,800 for teammates whose homes were lost or damaged in the West Maui wildfires. Wings of Hope is open year-round for financial contributions and funds are received in the form of payroll deductions, checks and cash donations from employees and board members.

 

AUG. 16, 4:10 PM HST

In less than 24 hours after Hawaiian Airlines announced an expanded partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank, the carrier’s Community and Cultural Relations team coordinated a company-wide food and supply drive to support the West Maui community.

MicrosoftTeams-image 12

Team Kōkua volunteers working the donation drop-off site at Hawaiian's cargo facility.

 

Seventy employees yesterday volunteered with Team Kōkua to staff collection sites at the airline’s corporate headquarters and Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility, loaded vans with donations from their colleagues and worked at Hawaiʻi Foodbank to organize donated items for those impacted by the wildfires.

DSC04853

Team Kōkua volunteers organizing pantry donations at the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

 

By the end of the day, over 10,000 pounds (about half the weight of a school bus) of goods were donated to Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank for people displaced by the wildfires. Items included baby formula and food, feminine products, diapers, toiletries, canned proteins and meals, rice and grains, non-perishable snacks, peanut butter and meal bars. 

To read more about Hawaiian's food and supply drive, click here.

HFD August 14

Firefighters with the Honolulu Fire Department at the arrival gate of HA185 in Honolulu following a deployment to Maui.

 

Hawaiian Airlines is also grateful for the work of first responders and continues to transport fire and police personnel – including members of the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) and the Federal Fire Department – to and from Kahului to help West Maui communities affected by the wildfires.

For HFD's news release on its recent Maui deployment, click here.

 

AUG. 14, 3 PM HST

Hawaiian today announced it is working with Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank on food collection and distribution. Hawaiian will donate $150,000 ($50,000 each to Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Maui Food Bank and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation) to further support the organizations’ wildfire relief work.

HawaiiFoodbank_DisasterRelief

Image credit: Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Disaster relief boxes assembled by the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

 

In addition, Hawaiian has established the Mālama Maui Desk to respond more efficiently to the many organizations and individuals seeking flight, cargo or volunteer support. The request form can be found at www.hawaiianairlines.com/malamamaui, a new website dedicated to Maui relief information. In addition to the Mālama Maui Desk, the page serves as a resource on ways that our community in Hawaiʻi and globally can help respond to the tragic wildfires.

The carrier is also supporting Maui Ola: A benefit concert for Maui, a live concert and broadcast fundraiser at 5 p.m. on Aug. 20 at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, by flying in artists, event organizers and participants, and providing volunteers.

To read more about Hawaiian Airlines' next phase of support for the Maui community, click here.

 

AUG. 11, 7:15 PM HST

A message from our CEO:


Additonal resources:

AUG. 11, 11:30 AM HST

Hawaiian Airlines today added an additional flight from Kahului to Honolulu to support the ongoing evacuation of displaced visitors and residents. We will also fly our full regular schedule of some 25 roundtrips between Honolulu and Maui today and into the weekend. 

Hawaiian transported more than 6,600 people out of Maui yesterday and expects to carry more than 17,000 visitors and residents out of the island in the 72 hours since the fires broke out. Our priority has been to keep moving people safely from and within our islands and facilitate the work of federal, state and local agencies. 

Hawaiian is grateful for the overwhelming generosity of some 10,000 HawaiianMiles members who have donated miles equivalent to more than 9,500 interisland flights to the American Red Cross of Hawaii. Hawaiian has provided the equivalent of another 4,000 free flights for use by volunteers and community members in need.

Members throughout our network have also expressed a desire to drop off boxes of supplies at our stations to be shipped to Maui. While we are beyond grateful for our customers' willingness to give and continue to accept essential cargo, we encourage that donations be made to organizations best equipped to manage relief such as the American Red Cross.

AUG. 10, 1 PM HST

The images of Lāhainā burning – enveloped in an impenetrable cloud of black smoke – have been difficult to witness. Our hearts are with our community members, employees and all those devastated by the Maui fires. As Hawaiʻi’s hometown carrier, we pledge to support disaster response efforts until the demanding work of recovery is complete.

“This is an incredibly tragic and sad event, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted on Maui and especially those who have lost loved ones,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “Our teams across our operation are working tirelessly to help those affected, including our nearly 500 colleagues who call Maui home. We send our deepest condolences to those impacted by the fires and will continue to leverage every resource we have to support the Maui community."

HACARGO3

Hawaiian Airlines Cargo is proud to help transport essential medical supplies to Maui and support first responders in providing critical medical care to communities impacted by the wildfires.

 

Here’s how Hawaiian Airlines has supported response efforts in the first 24 hours:

Facilitating essential travel

  • Ran a full schedule of flights in and out of Maui, including nine additional flights scheduled for today (Aug. 10) and nine that operated yesterday from Kahului to Honolulu to support evacuation efforts. We flew 12,718 seats in and out of Kahului yesterday.

  • Made every main cabin seat from Kahului to Honolulu available at $19 through Aug. 14, so costs would not be an obstacle to those needing to leave.

  • Transported 5,786 guests out of Maui yesterday.

  • Issued a travel waiver to allow guests with travel to and from Maui scheduled through Aug. 31 flexibility to change or refund flights.

Team Kokua at the airport

Team Kōkua volunteers were deployed at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to assist travelers arriving from Maui.

Carrying critical cargo

  • Set aside dedicated space on our aircraft to support essential cargo, including life-saving blood and medical supplies, medication, food, water, amenity kits and infrastructure equipment for telecommunications repairs.
  • Donated and shipped soft goods and catering items, including 300 bottles of Mananalu water, 550 sandwiches, 3,000 snack items, 1,600 amenity kits, mattress pads, lounging pillows and other supplies, for evacuees arriving at Kahului Airport.
Amenity kits loading onto HA1106 to OGG aircraft N476

Yesterday, 1,600 amenity kits were loaded onto HA1106 to be distributed to those displaced by the Maui fires.

Caring for guests and employees

  • Activated Team Kōkua, Hawaiian’s employee volunteer group, to support guests and staff in Honolulu and Kahului.
  • Deployed employee members of the Hawaiian Airlines Emergency Assistance Response Team (HEART) to work at the Honolulu Convention Center and other shelter facilities for visitors.
  • Activated employee support resources for team members on Maui and elsewhere who have been personally affected by these tragic events.
HEART 2

HEART members listening to a volunteer briefing by the American Red Cross and Hawaiian Airlines before serving at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center's temporary shelter.

Partnering for relief efforts

  • Donated seats to first responders, including City and County of Honolulu firefighters to help Maui stations battle the ongoing wildfires.
  • Nearly 90 million miles (equivalent to 12,000 interisland flights) in joint donation with our HawaiianMiles members to the American Red Cross of Hawaii to facilitate travel for volunteers, support personnel and community members in need.
  • We continue to accept donations of HawaiianMiles on behalf of the American Red Cross of Hawaii on our website. To donate your unused miles, click here.
Sandwich boxes loaded onto HA366

A cargo agent loading boxes of sandwiches on a flight to Kahului.

 

Opening Our Aircraft Bellies to Ship Over 200 Kennels for West Maui Pets

Hawaiian Airlines continues to open the bellies of its aircraft to assist organizations embarking on heroic relief efforts – including Maui Humane Society, which has worked around the clock to save the lives of animals and pets injured, lost or displaced during the West Maui wildfires.

Since the fires erupted last week, Hawaiian has carried over 200 donated kennels to Kahului, including a shipment of over 100 crates for Island Pet Movers to assist Maui Humane Society with moving pets off the island.

 

Maui Humane Society remains focused on meeting the West Maui community’s extensive need for emergency supplies and response, including life-saving veterinary and pet reunification services, and helping pets remain under the care of their owners. They are also equipping West Maui residents who are trying to relocate their pets with airline-approved kennels and travel health certifications at no additional cost.

Five pet kennels HA206

Five donated kennels being loaded into the cargo hold of flight HA206 to Kahului from Honolulu.

 

“We are willing to help and provide whatever West Maui pet owners need right now, especially if they're flying off the island,” said Katie Shannon, director of marketing and communications at Maui Humane Society.

“It’s admirable that, despite the heartbreak and urgency that Maui Humane Society continues to face, it remains steadfast in doing everything it can to save animal lives,” said Patrick Rosa, managing director of cargo at Hawaiian Airlines. “We’ll continue to prioritize cargo space for the movement of critical supplies, including kennels, and support the heroes caring for and saving Valley Isle pets during this tragedy.”

MicrosoftTeams-image 10

Donated kennels at Hawaiian Airlines cargo facility at Los Angeles International Airport

 

To help fund Maui Humane Society’s work in saving pets affected by the West Maui wildfires, click here.

To learn more about other ways you can mālama Maui, click here.

For updates on Hawaiian AIrlines' efforts to support West Maui, click here.

HA Flight Attendants Mobilize to Help a Colleague, Donate 500 Pounds of Supplies for Maui Keiki

It started with a callout on a private Facebook group page, titled HAL Flight Attendant Mamas, where, on a typical day, "FA mamas and mamas-to-be" swap tips and answer questions about all things related to childcare. But on Aug. 13, Maui flight attendant Anna Sable posted an urgent request for baby supplies after the island's only Walmart, Costco and Target reported supply shortages following the West Maui wildfires.   

Resized_IMG_1339

Flight Attendants Curtis Kawamura, Anna Sable, Erika Ledesma and Carley Tomagan

The next day, flight attendants Erika Ledesma and Curtis Kawamura, a member of the group (and stay-at-home parent), met Sable – who had flown to Honolulu – and several other Oʻahu teammembers at Hawaiian’s cargo facility with dozens of boxes of baby items, including food, formula, wipes and diapers. Leveraging Hawaiian’s employee shipping program, the group sent roughly 500 pounds of items to families in need. Sable took the return flight to Kahului to ensure immediate delivery to local families.  
 

IMG_7792

Kawamura packs baby food to ship to Maui

 

"We needed to get these items to Maui right away because some of the families, they couldn't wait any longer," Kawamura said. "With limited supplies available on the island, there are families outside of West Maui that are in need too, and we know that through Anna the supplies will be delivered directly to those requesting it." 

Resized_IMG_73961

Shipment organized by "HA Flight Attendant Mamas" arrived at Kahului

 

Since Sunday, Hawaiian’s cargo team has accepted approximately 3,900 pounds of employee shipments, with the most common items being baby essentials, dry and canned food items, clothing, toiletries and empty gas cans.  

Kawamura added, "There are so many of our fellow employees who have been affected in Maui, and working for Hawaiian has been a huge blessing during this time with many of us using our benefits to travel back and forth to volunteer, or visit impacted family members, or ship urgent supplies.  We're fortunate that we're given so many opportunities to help our fellow employees." 

Hawaiian Airlines Employees Donate an Initial 10,000 Pounds of Goods in Daylong Foodbank Drive for West Maui

In less than 24 hours after Hawaiian Airlines announced an expanded partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank, the carrier’s Community and Cultural Relations team coordinated a company-wide food and supply drive to support the West Maui community. 

DSC04853

Team Kōkua volunteers organizing pantry donations at the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

 

Seventy employees yesterday volunteered with Team Kōkua to staff collection sites at the airline’s corporate headquarters and Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility, loaded vans with donations from their colleagues and worked at Hawaiʻi Foodbank to organize donated items for those impacted by the wildfires.

By the end of the day, over 10,000 pounds (about half the weight of a school bus) of goods were donated to Hawaiʻi Foodbank and Maui Food Bank for people displaced by the wildfires. Items included baby formula and food, feminine products, diapers, toiletries, canned proteins and meals, rice and grains, non-perishable snacks, peanut butter and meal bars.

 Team Kōkua

Team Kōkua volunteers working the donation drop-off site at Hawaiian's cargo facility.

 

“We’re blown away by the incredible turnout of donations from the Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana yesterday, especially with such short notice,” said Jennifer Onishi, director of corporate relations and partnerships at Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

“Meeting the moment means moving quickly and every act of mālama (care) matters right now,” said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines. “We put out the call for help with our food and supply drive and, without hesitation, our employees jumped to action to do what they could to kōkua (help) West Maui.”

Team Kokua

Debbie Nakanelua-Richards and Manakō Tanaka of Hawaiian's Community and Cultural Relations Team operating the donation van.

 

Hawaiian will continue to deploy volunteers to help Hawaiʻi Foodbank with sorting and packaging donations being sent to the Maui Food Bank.

To learn more about the partnership, click here.

To donate to or volunteer with the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, click here.

Loading...