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5 ways to malama (care for) Hawaii

There are plenty of reasons to visit Hawaii, from beaches to marine life, food and hiking—but what truly makes it special is the Aloha spirit—the presence and sharing of the essence of Hawaiian life. As visitors to Hawaii, it is our kuleana (responsibility) to honor the Aloha spirit by respecting and exercising malama (care) while you’re in the islands.  

Here are 5 ways you can practice malama, each with a short video by the Hawaii Tourism Authority:  

1. Embrace the culture. 

The next time you visit, try honoring Hawaiian culture by: Learning the language. Olelo Hawaii means Hawaiian language. A native people’s language is the key to unlocking unique systems of knowledge and understanding. Try out a new common phrase or two the next time you’re in the islands. 

2. Safety first — especially hiking trails!

The Hawaiian Islands are known for its natural beauty and it’s important to be mindful of the aina (land), when planning your next visit: Stay on track. When admiring scenic views on public trails, it’s key to stay on the designated path and avoid any edges that could lead to a collapse. Please do not hike on illegal trails—they’re blocked off for your safety and the safety of others.  

3. Save the ocean one spray & sip at a time. 

Gorgeous for photo ops, and even better for swimming in—the ocean is a vast place full of awe and wonder. That’s why, with many travelers visiting each year, it’s important that we each do our part to leave the ocean as healthy as we left it: Use reef-safe sunscreen & reduce plastics.

Seemingly small actions like switching out your sunscreen for a reef-safe option and reducing single-use plastics can add up, which can have a large impact on the ocean by protecting the living reef ecosystem and prevent microplastics from building up in the sea.  

4. Watch the water and weather. 

With its warm blankets of sand, glistening waves and swaying trees above, it’s obvious why Hawaiian beaches are the most sought-out experience when visiting. However, we must remember that the ocean is subject to winds of change so: Keep a close eye on conditions.

Even if the water may look calm, it’s important to look for any hazardous signs that may suggest a change in the rip current, like shore or wave breaks, and be aware of safe places to enter and exit the water.  

5. Look, but don’t touch the sea critters. 

The Hawaiian Islands thrive with sea life, and is home to countless marine creatures like turtles and reefs. It’s critical we protect them by keeping them safe: Look, but don’t touch.

Sea + land critters may be cute, but please don’t try to pick them up for an Instagram photo or for any reason. Marine animals like monk seals are amazing to admire from afar. Getting too close or attempting to touch a creature is not only unkind to disturbing them and their homes, but it is also illegal in Hawaii.  

What malama means & why it matters to Alaska employees:

Alaska PIA Leaders Lucy, Jill and Lindsay.

Throughout September as part of Native Hawaiian History Month, Alaska’s Pacific Islander Alliance (P.I.A.) employee resource group hosted & supported weekly sessions about Hawaiian culture, history, music & dance, language, the land and more. Attendees walked away from the series with a deeper understanding not just of what malama means, but why it matters.  

When I think about what it means to malama Hawaii, I think of the warm embrace and unconditional aloha I receive when I am home. It’s the reason why we care, protect, serve, respect one another, and our aina. It’s that value of kindness that encompasses all. We have been in this restoration period in Hawaii where the earth’s preservation and natural resources are extremely important to us. When we care for our aina and its creatures, it will take care of us. Conveying this message through education and community involvement is a great foundation to awareness. 

– Jill, Pacific Islander Alliance leader 

I think of malama as a rallying call for both visitors and kamaaina (Hawaii native) to be active participants in caring for Hawaii.  I was fortunate to have experiences in Hawaii during my youth that included volunteering at a loi (taro patch), to visiting patients at Shriner’s, to cleaning up around family burial plots at old cemeteries. As an adult now living out of state, the best way I can malama is to share Hawaii’s story by being one of its proud kamaaina voices that lives elsewhere, encouraging us all to treat the places we visit like an extension of our own home. 

– Lucy, Pacific Islander Alliance leader 

To me, malama makes me think of a thriving land that is full of people with gratitude and respect for one another and our space. To care is at the core of who we are as humans and it is a beautiful and essential act that we get to express towards one another.  A lot of what we do in P.I.A. is rooted in malama: hosting events to bring our employees the best training, growth opportunities, and space to feel connected to each other, to the land as we promote positive interaction and insight to how we are culturally connected to our environment and our responsibility to leave a place better than how we found it, and to our communities through volunteering.  

– Lindsay, Pacific Islander Alliance Leader.

Mahalo for understanding Hawaii’s unique restrictions

Hawaii’s state travel program is a multilayered approach designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the Islands.

We thank you in advance for being mindful of putting public health first and following local guidelines such as wearing a mask while indoors or when unable to maintain physical distancing. To learn more about the protocols you will be asked to adhere to while visiting Hawaii, please visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. Commences Cash Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations For Any and All Of Its 7.375% Series 2020-1A Pass Through Certificates due 2027 and 11.250% Series 2020-1B Pass Through Certificates due 2025 (collectively, the “Certificates”)

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (the “Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) (Nasdaq: HA), announced today it has commenced (i) offers to purchase for cash (collectively, the “Tender Offers” and each a “Tender Offer”) any and all of its 7.375% Series 2020-1A Pass Through Certificates due 2027 and 11.250% Series 2020-1B Pass Through Certificates due 2025 and (ii) Consent Solicitations (as defined below), in each case upon the terms and conditions described in the Company’s Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated September 23, 2021 (the “Offer to Purchase”).

The following table sets forth certain terms of the Tender Offers:

IR CHART_PR 092221

 

(1)     No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP numbers listed above and in the Offer to Purchase (as defined herein) or printed on the Certificates. They are provided solely for the convenience of Holders of the Certificates.

(2)     As of the date hereof. Reflects principal distributions made prior to the date hereof on each class of Certificates but does not reflect any scheduled principal distributions after the date hereof.

(3)     As of the date hereof. The “Amortization Factor” sets forth, with respect to the Certificates, the percentage of the originally issued face amount which remains outstanding as of the date of the Offer to Purchase.  The relevant Amortization Factor would change in the event of any principal payment or principal distribution on any class of Certificates after the date hereof.

(4)     Per $1,000 pool balance of Certificates validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase. Excludes Accrued Interest (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which will be paid to the holders of the Certificates accepted for purchase as described herein. See Schedule A of the Offer to Purchase for additional details on the calculation of the Total Consideration and Tender Consideration.

(5)     Includes the Early Tender Premium (as defined herein) for Certificates validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase by the Company.

The Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on October 21, 2021, unless extended or terminated by the Company (the “Expiration Date”). No tenders submitted after the Expiration Date will be valid. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations, the consideration for each $1,000 pool balance of Certificates validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations will be the applicable tender consideration for such series of Certificates set forth in the above table (with respect to each series of Certificates, the “Tender Consideration”). Holders of Certificates that are validly tendered at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 6, 2021 (subject to extension, the “Early Tender Deadline”) and accepted for purchase pursuant to the applicable Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation will receive the applicable Tender Consideration and the applicable early tender premium for such series of Certificates as set forth in the table above (the “Early Tender Premium” and, together with the applicable Tender Consideration, the “Total Consideration”). Holders of Certificates tendering their Certificates after the Early Tender Deadline will receive the applicable Tender Consideration but will not be eligible to receive the Early Tender Premium. All holders of Certificates validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations will also receive Accrued Interest (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on such Certificates from the last interest payment date with respect to those Certificates to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date or Final Settlement Date (as defined below), as applicable.

Certificates that have been tendered may be withdrawn from the applicable Tender Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 6, 2021 (subject to extension, the “Withdrawal Deadline”). Holders of Certificates tendered after the Withdrawal Deadline cannot withdraw their Certificates or revoke their consents under the applicable Consent Solicitation unless the Company is required to extend withdrawal rights under applicable law.

The Company may, at its option, promptly following the Early Tender Deadline (such date, the “Early Settlement Date”) purchase any Certificates that have been validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted in the applicable Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. The Early Settlement Date is expected to occur on the second business day following the Early Tender Deadline. Settlement for Certificates validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, but at or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase in the applicable Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, will occur promptly following the Expiration Date (such date, the “Final Settlement Date”). The Final Settlement Date is expected to occur on the second business day following the Expiration Date.

As part of the Tender Offers, the Company is also soliciting consents (the “Consent Solicitations”) from (i) the holders of a majority of the outstanding pool balance of each series of Certificates (voting as separate classes) for certain proposed amendments and (ii) the holders of a majority of the aggregate pool balance outstanding of both series of Certificates (voting as a single class), for certain proposed amendments ((i) and (ii) together, the “Proposed Amendments”) described in the Offer to Purchase that would, among other things, eliminate certain covenants related to the Equipment Notes and Certificates (the “Requisite Consents”).

Each holder tendering Certificates pursuant to the Tender Offers must also deliver consents to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the related Consent Solicitation and will be deemed to have delivered their consents by virtue of such tender. Holders may not deliver consents without also tendering their corresponding Certificates. The proposed amendments with respect to (i) the Intercreditor Agreement requires the holders of a majority of the outstanding pool balance of each series (voting as separate classes) for the amendments to apply to such series and (ii) the Indentures require the holders of a majority of the outstanding pool balance of both series of certificates (voting as a single class) for the amendments to be applicable to the Indentures.  The Proposed Amendments will not become operative until (i) Certificates of such series satisfying the Requisite Consent have been validly tendered and (ii) the relevant consideration has been paid. If the Proposed Amendments become operative with respect to a series of Certificates, holders of that series of Certificates who do not tender their Certificates prior to the Expiration Date, or at all, will be bound by the Proposed Amendments, meaning that the remaining outstanding Certificates of that series will no longer have the benefit of certain covenants contained in the Indenture and related documents governing the Equipment Notes and Certificates. In addition, such holders will not receive either the Tender Consideration or the Early Tender Premium.

The Tender Offers are not conditioned on the tender of any minimum pool balance of Certificates, the consummation of any other Tender Offer or obtaining any Requisite Consent.  The Company intends to fund the purchase of the Certificates pursuant to the Tender Offers with cash on hand.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is the Dealer Manager and Solicitation Agent in the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as the Tender and Information Agent for the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations. Persons with questions regarding the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations should contact Citigroup at (800) 558-3745 (toll-free) or (212) 723-6106 (collect). Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and other related materials should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (banks or brokers) (212) 430-3774 or (toll free) (866) 807-2200 or by email to contact@gbsc-usa.com.

None of the Company, the Dealer Manager and Solicitation Agent, the Tender and Information Agent, the Trustee (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), the Subordination Agent (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or affiliates  makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender their Certificates pursuant to the applicable Tender Offer or consent pursuant to the Consent Solicitations, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make such a recommendation. Holders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their Certificates and deliver related consents to the Proposed Amendments, and, if so, the pool balance of Certificates as to which action is to be taken. 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. Neither this press release nor the Offer to Purchase is an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. In any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offers are required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offers will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Manager, or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 17 years (2004-2020) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti and twice-monthly service between Honolulu and American Samoa. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia and New Zealand.

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. 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. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company’s strategy; the continuing and developing effects of the spread of COVID-19 on the Company's business operations and financial condition; the availability of future sources of capital, which could change as a result of market conditions or for other reasons, interest rates and corporate considerations; the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash and manage its available cash; changes in the Company's future capital needs; and the risk that the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations are not consummated on the anticipated terms, if at all.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements also include the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed from time to time in Holdings’ other public filings and public announcements, including the Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K and Holdings’ Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that may be filed by Holdings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to Holdings and the Company on the date hereof. Neither Holdings nor the Company undertakes to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information 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.

None of the information furnished in this press release shall be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, unless expressly set forth by specific reference in such filings, shall not be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.

Bringing Aloha to Afghans: ‘They have nothing and they have been through so much.’

When First Officer Russell Flynn and Flight Attendant Maydell Morgan learned Hawaiian Airlines would be helping relocate thousands of Afghans escaping the Taliban regime, they considered the mission a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back. The important job they’d been tasked with had instilled in them a sense of urgency and kuleana (responsibility) to share our Hawaiian hospitality with refugees on the first leg of a long journey toward rebuilding their lives in the United States.

Flynn and Morgan joined fellow crewmembers and a support team earlier this month to operate a series of Hawaiian charter flights under the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), a U.S. Department of Defense program that enlists commercial airlines to augment air lift during emergencies that exceed the military’s capabilities.

Over six days, Hawaiian crewmembers onboard 13 flights operated by two of our wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft welcomed more than 3,000 Afghans arriving from Europe at Philadelphia and Dulles international airports and transported them to the safety of military bases in Indiana, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin.

CRAF CREW

From left: Flight attendants Rome-Marie Lee and Frank Stevenson, Capt. Johnny Lopez, flight attendants Cherilyn Moloney and Christine Verano-Lancaster, ground security coordinator Lanan Rice-Kashima, flight attendants Jane Ann Pang and Ida Teiti, loadmaster Sean Sanfilippo, first officer Aaron Rajic, flight attendants Maydell Morgan and Daniel Ishihara onboard one of our charter flights that carried Afghans to military bases in the United States.

Immediately after signing up for the flights, Flynn phoned his wife to ask for gift ideas for the children who would be onboard.

“These people don’t have anything, what can we do?” he recalled asking his wife, who was conveniently outside a popular Honolulu discount store when she took the call. “We made them 300 goodie bags. Nothing crazy, just some index cards, a piece of origami paper and a couple of coloring pencils.”

At the end of one flight, Flynn walked through the cabin and asked flight attendant Kawehi Thoene if the children had enjoyed the gifts. “She said it was a huge hit,” he recalled, as Thoene reached inside her wallet and pulled a piece of origami paper folded into a boat. “I’m going to treasure this forever,” she said.

Origami

Flight attendant Kawehi Thoene with an origami gifted by an Afghan guest.

 

Morgan said this month’s CRAF flights were her first work assignments after being on leave for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Having recently lost her husband to cancer and being overwhelmed by the support she received from strangers, she felt compelled to help the Afghans, so she traded a Honolulu-Boston trip for the military charters between Dulles and Indianapolis.

“I needed to give back; I needed to take care of these people,” recalled Morgan, who as a 53-year veteran has worked her share of military missions to support troop movements but had never welcomed onboard civilians in a humanitarian evacuation. “They have nothing and they’ve been through so much.”

Upon their return home to Hawai‘i, Flynn and Morgan, who were supported by a team of Hawaiian Airlines mechanics, loadmasters, security personnel, and other ground staff, sat down with us to reflect on what both agree are the highlight of their careers.

What motivated you to sign up for our flights?

Maydell: I was so very proud to know that the U.S. government and Department of Defense considered Hawaiian, as little as we are next to the big carriers, to contribute to this important movement. With further thought, I realized, ‘why not,’ after all Hawaiian and our people exude the Aloha spirit and, as we mālama (care for) our guests on our scheduled flights, it would carry over to our Afghan guests. I felt compelled to be a part of this humanitarian movement. I knew it was my calling. I have been blessed with so much; I needed to give back and this was a perfect way to accomplish it – to mālama these people, who are less fortunate and who have been through horrific challenges. I would not hesitate to be of service again to these beautiful people.

Russell: I was glad to see Hawaiian would be a part of the evacuation effort. This is one of the few times where all the U.S. airlines get to work together instead of competing with each other and I was excited to be a part of it. I have flown a number of military charters at a previous airline, but they were always transporting soldiers and equipment. This was an opportunity to help civilians and I couldn’t pass it up.

Did you have to do anything different to prepare for these missions?

Maydell: The crews were briefed on cultural traditions, nuances and the do’s and don’ts – simple, but important gestures.

Russell: These flights posed some logistical challenges and we had to do some homework before we arrived at the aircraft. We operated from airports that are not part of our usual network, so we had some extra studying to do. Hawaiian Airlines did a fantastic job by giving us as much advance information as they could, but there’s always something that surprises us and keeps us on our toes. For example, the ground crew at one air base wasn’t used to civilian aircraft and their procedures didn’t exactly match ours. It didn’t matter – everyone worked so well together that we were able to figure everything out.
 

Alan and Russell

From left: Capt. Alan Akina and First Officer Russell Flynn holding food and beverage and safety signs that helped ease language barriers with the Afghan guests.

Can you briefly walk us through one of your days?

Maydell: A typical day of these missions was one that required us to hold each other up. The emotions that we experienced were more than we had anticipated. The routine of preparing for any flight was prevalent, but a typical day of these missions was filled with highs and lows of emotions. We had to stay strong. We felt so much gratitude, aloha, ‘olu’olu (pleasantness), and ha’aha’a (humility) from these Afghans – they were beautiful people!

Russell: We left the hotel about 90 minutes before departure time. As this was a military flight, we were driven straight to the aircraft and I was immediately able to start the preflight walk-around inspection. The captain confirmed all the logistical details, such as fuel loading, pushback procedures, and so on, with the ground operations staff and the flight attendants began their cabin preparations. With the walk-around complete, I headed to the flight deck to load the flight plan and make sure there were no maintenance or cabin issues to be addressed. We were lucky to have a mechanic traveling with us on these flights so that part was easy! By the time the flight deck was ready, boarding had started. We had a few spare minutes, so the Captain and I would go back to the cabin to say hello to some guests. Runway markings and taxiway signage follow the same standards around the world, so navigating around an unfamiliar airport isn’t as daunting as it might sound.

Dulles

One of our Airbus A330 aircraft ready to welcome onboard Afghan refugees at Dulles International Airport.

The journey to Wisconsin is much shorter than a normal [Hawaiian Airlines] Airbus A330 flight, so it was over before we knew it. Our approach and landing procedures are the same at every airport, but this time we were met by a truck as we landed and turned off the runway. The truck had a big sign on it that read ‘Follow Me,’ and that’s exactly what we did. We were escorted into our parking spot and stairs were brought up to the plane so our guests could disembark. Within 45 minutes a fleet of busses were headed to the passenger processing facility and we were ready to head back to Dulles.

Were there any special experiences with our guests that stood out to you?

Maydell:  This was the most touching and moving flight experience I have had in my 53 years of flying. I have been truly blessed, rewarded and fortunate to have been a representative of Hawaiian and Hawai‘i  in this great and heartwarming movement. 

Russell: Too many to list. Listening to the cheers from the guests [in our cabin] when a soldier in Wisconsin was reunited with his wife (one of our guests); watching the Captain work with a soldier to help a disabled guest board the aircraft; seeing a newborn infant being shielded from the sun with a piece of cardboard – realizing that some people were carrying everything they owned in the world in a single plastic trash bag. But most importantly, seeing the look of gratitude from our guests as they boarded the plane. They had no idea what was ahead, but they knew they were safe and that we would look after them. I don’t speak their language, but I didn’t need to – the look in their eyes said it all.

CRAF Stairs

From left: Flight attendants Rome-Marie Lee, Maydell Morgan, Ida Teiti, Cherilyn Moloney, Daniel Ishihara and Christine Verano-lancaster with two military personnel on the air stairs at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

What do you hope our new guests take away from this experience as they start their new lives in America?

Maydell: I hope and pray that all, if not many of these beautiful people will have bright futures and embrace the freedoms and opportunities that are available to them in our great land. May they move forward with their heads held high and love and aloha in their hearts. They are free and need not fear for their lives every single day.  It is with my sincerest aloha that they will thrive in our land.

Russell: I can’t begin to imagine what a crazy, bewildering experience this must have been for these people. The pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, loadmasters, soldiers, ground crew, bus drivers, etc. all worked together to make these passengers feel as safe and comfortable as possible. It was a privilege to be a part of this effort and I truly hope the Afghans feel that their lives will be better now. It will be a massive adjustment for them, but I hope they remember their flight on Hawaiian Airlines as much as we will remember them. I’m sure they have never heard the term ‘aloha’ before, but they definitely experienced our aloha spirit, even if it was just for a few hours.

Strategically located in the center of the Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines has a proud history of supporting military flying, including the two previous times the CRAF program was activated. In Spring 2003, Hawaiian's transpacific jets supported 22 missions that transported approximately 4,000 U.S. soldiers for wartime assignments. In 1990-1991, Hawaiian flew more than 200 charters for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In early 1991, Hawaiian also flew home the first group of Hawaii-based U.S. Marines from the Middle East.

Meet the Makers: Indulge in Seasonal Honeys, Island-Sourced Skincare, and Bonus HawaiianMiles

Love supporting local businesses? So do we! As the exclusive airline partner of Mana Up, we are proud to continue our Meet the Makers virtual monthly event series showcasing Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs and their products on the Hawaiian Airlines and Mana Up Facebook pages.

This month on Manaʻo, we’re proud to highlight Ao Organics Hawaii and Wai Meli.

Want to experience the local products made by Ao Organics Hawaii, Wai Meli and past Mana Up Makers, including Chef Sheldon Simeon, Mānoa Chocolate and Big Island Coffee Roasters? You can purchase their exclusive product sets at HouseofManaUp.com/Meet-the-Makers. Shoppers who use their Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® earn two additional bonus HawaiianMiles per $1 spent on all purchases.*

Ao Organics Hawaii

When Ao Organics Hawaii Founder Chelsa Davis learned she would have her third child in 2016, she turned her attention to the ingredients in the household products her beach-loving family had been using, starting with their sunscreen. “Once I learned how toxic the sunscreens we were using were, [my family] completely stopped using them. But at the time, it was challenging to find a brand that was 100% organic,” she said.

Chelsa Family

Photo credit: Ao Organics Hawaii
Davis pictured with her three children at the beach.

 

This gap in the market led to Davis formulating her organic sunscreen and becoming more aware of the impacts that everyday products were having on the environment.

“I took to learning more about reef safety and how these sunscreens were damaging our ocean ecosystems. As a native Hawaiian, ocean lover, and daughter of a surfer, learning how chemical sunscreens and most popular store-bought products harm our bodies and the environment inspired me to teach others. I wanted to empower and educate others to understand the impacts of the products they use on our wai (ocean) and the ‘āina (land)," she shared.

Chelsa 3

Photo credit: Ao Organics Hawaii
Davis pictured in her Honokaʻa studio on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

 

Through this awareness, Ao Organics Hawaii took root. What started with Davis' homemade sunscreen grew to a full spectrum of all-natural, organic facial and body products. Each item, from ʻōlena (turmeric) and honey facial cleanser to coconut-mango lip balm, are crafted in her Honokaʻa studio on the Island of Hawaiʻi, and in small batches with local ingredients.

“Luckily, I have my husband who also works with me and helps me with daily tasks, like making our sunscreen batches and handling our deliveries,” Davis said. “Our work weeks are busy, and we’re usually prepping 100 or more orders a week on top of fulfilling wholesale orders. We do everything in our workshop.

"Owning your own business requires a lot of self-discipline and patience; it is nothing like a nine-to-five job, and there are many days that we work beyond that. However, I wouldn’t trade what I do for the world; it's worth every minute because I get to do what I love, spend time with my husband and children, and make an impact in the world,” she added.

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Photo credit: Ao Organics Hawaii
A lineup of select Ao Organics Hawaii products

 

Ao Organics Hawaii joined Mana Up’s business cohort in 2020. Davis has since rebranded her company, hired a marketing team, and expanded sales enough to invest in larger equipment for more efficient production.

“When shoppers support Ao Organics Hawaii, they support families and the community. Each purchase elevates a kanaka (native Hawaiian)-owned business that integrates core cultural values into its business to keep the health of the ‘āina and community a priority,” Davis shared.

mana up2

Photo credit: Ao Organics Hawaii/Mana Up
Shoppers can purchase Davis' Hawaiian spa facial kit prior to attending her live Meet the Makers event! Items in the kit include a face mask applicator brush, facial mixing bowl, and ʻAlaea detoxifying clay mask.

 

Our guests can create a relaxing oasis at home with Ao Organic Hawaii’s during its Meet the Makers virtual event on Sept. 22. Viewers can join Davis as she guides them through her at-home facial routine and Ao Organics Hawaii must-haves. RSVP here.

 

Wai Meli

If you ever wondered what it's like to be a beekeeper, Kawika Sebag, founder of Wai Meli honey, will tell you it's quite the demanding gig. 

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Photo credit: Wai Meli
Sebag pictured holding a thriving hive frame on his farm on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

 

"It's a whole lot of labor-intensive work […] requiring heavy lifting, sweating in a bee suit under the Hawaiian sun, and getting stung regularly," he explained. However, Sebag will also be the first to say his job is one of the most rewarding and hard work "is what it takes to produce the best honey in the world." 

Sebag picked up apiculture as a hobby in college and ran with it in 2011 when he co-found Wai Meli, a raw, organic honey venture on his farm in Pa‘auilo on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Sebag and his team spend their days caring for hundreds of beehives, staving off pests, relocating hives during seasonal changes, harvesting several tons of raw honey at a time, processing the yield and preparing it for kitchen pantries across the country. 

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Photo credit: Wai Meli
Sebag pictured in the distance, tending a hive on his farm on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

 

Sebag and his team’s passion and dedication led to Wai Meli becoming one of Hawaiʻi's premier honey brands, with its unique, rich flavor profiles attributed to its bee-first business model. 

"Honeybees are the backbone of agriculture, providing pollination for one in every three bites that humans consume," he explained. "At Wai Meli, we focus on the health and regeneration of the honeybee population with organic practices that ensure our honeybees' health is a top priority (which is not the standard across [the honey industry]). The way we keep our bees – and subsequently process our honey – ensures the full nutritive range and medicinal qualities inherently found in raw honey remain. In contrast, conventionally produced honey is stripped of those enzymes, amino acids and beneficial properties."

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Photo credit: Wai Meli
Wai Meli honey

 

Today, Wai Meli continues to grow, thanks in part to the guidance Sebag has received through Mana Up. Since Wai Meli joined the accelerator’s cohort of small businesses in 2018, it has seen steady growth in gross sales, streamlined management practices, and forged new and profitable relationships with corporate distributors. "The wealth of opportunity and guidance [provided by Mana Up] has been instrumental to our farm's growth,” Sebag said.

Wai Meli

Photo credit: Wai Meli/Mana Up
Shoppers can purchase the exclusive Wai Meli tasting set that will be featured in Sebag's Meet the Makers live event. Ranging from sweet and floral to deep and complex, this unique array of honey features these local varietals: Lehua Blossom from Pa‘auilo, Summer Blossom from Kapa‘au, and Christmas Berry Blossom from Kapa‘au.

 

Want to fully immerse yourself in the art of beekeeping and honey harvesting? Forget your generic store-bought honey and step into the world of Wai Meli during its live Meet the Makers event, set to air live on Sept. 29. RSVP here.

 

*Partner bonus miles earned through this offer are in addition to standard miles earned using your Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®. No miles are awarded on cash back transactions. Please allow 4-6 weeks for miles to post to your HawaiianMiles account. HawaiianMiles standard terms and conditions apply. Additional restrictions may apply, see partner for details. Barclays Bank Delaware is not affiliated with Mana Up or the merchants participating in the Meet the Makers series or the HawaiianMiles Marketplace.

The Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Alaska Airlines COO: ‘A mission of mercy and incredible caring.’ How Alaska supported Afghan refugee charter flights.

Today, I’m writing with gratitude and immense pride to tell you about some truly heroic efforts carried out by our employees and communities.

This is about people coming together in a powerful way and demonstrating the very best of what Alaska is all about: Stepping up when we’re needed, serving our communities, working together as a team, and providing remarkable care for people. This really is an example of Alaska at our very best.

Recently, Alaska Airlines employees answered the call to provide domestic charter assistance to the U.S. government to transport Afghan refugees fleeing their country and seeking safety in ours.

Within a matter of hours of receiving our initial instructions from U.S. Transportation Command, we had employees signing up—flight attendants and pilots, customer service agents, catering coordinators, charter coordinators and a maintenance technician—all wanting to help.

It was a mission of mercy and incredible caring by our employees, who represent the best of who we are at Alaska.

Flight Attendants Kathleen, Katherine, Bev, Randi and Carole. 

Although we cannot provide flight details (per Department of Defense rules for the safety of refugees), I can share that Alaska served proudly.

The aircraft we used for these charter flights was one of our “Honoring Those Who Serve” planes. Distinct in its military livery, the aircraft was greeted upon landing with a full military honor guard. As a veteran, I am truly touched by this.

This is the same aircraft that we use for our Honor Flights – we’ve flown more than 4,000 veterans on more than 80 Honor Flights over the past eight years – to visit the D.C. memorials that are dedicated to those who served, and those who sacrificed their lives.

It’s that same spirit that inspired so many Alaska employees to voluntarily step up to work these flights for the Afghan refugees.

Some of our employees who helped with the recent charter flights.

Here are a few of our crew’s powerful stories from the efforts:

For Captain Kevin, the media images of the evacuation in Kabul were intensely personal. Having served as a C-17 pilot in the military for 20 years, including flying into Afghanistan after 9/11, he had a deep appreciation for the military nature of this operation. “I was thankful to help the Afghan people again and happy to help Alaska support a humanitarian crisis,” said Kevin.

Before Flight Attendant Carole began the trip, her husband went to the dollar store and bought all the stuffed animals and Matchbox cars that he could buy. She said that while the adults onboard were visibly exhausted, the children warmed to the crew quickly and wanted to play—up and down the aisles they went, bouncing in their chairs, running from the lavs delighted and scared by the whooshing flush of the toilets. “We opened up the galley and gave them whatever they wanted. Our catering team did an incredible job seeing that we had treats for the kids and extra items.” Carole said the experience was completely different from anything she had ever done, which is significant as she is Alaska’s #1 seniority flight attendant with 54 years. “It was important that we did all we could to help them,” she said. “I am very proud of our company and crew.”

Flight Attendant Katherine admitted she was a bit trepidatious before the flight. “As a mother I was worried that my heart would just shatter if I saw children traveling without their parents, that I would want to scoop them up and take them home.” But the children were indeed accompanied by their families – some parents and children, some grandparents and grandchildren and several infants. The community relations team had boarded bottles, formula, diapers, wipes and each family with an infant received a packet. They were so appreciative of everything – especially the food, with fresh apples, juice, and hot tea with lots of cream and sugar being favorites. Kaye entertained the younger children showing photos of her kids and her Corgi back home. She and fellow crew members introduced them to M&Ms, which they had never had. “It was incredible. I have so much pride right now for my airline and my country,” said Katherine.

Seattle CSA Aria, who speaks the Afghan Persian language served as an interpreter helping the refugees and being a go-between for the crew. Guests were gracious and kind, thanking crews through the language barrier by putting their hands over their hearts.

First Officer Patrick said, “I was honored to be part of this, and I will hold the memories close forever. They had nothing. No luggage, just hope.” He praised his co-workers. “The flight attendants were absolutely amazing. They handled the cultural differences with grace and respect. They went far and above their regular duties – nothing but admiration and praise for them.”

Although much of the crew was picked on seniority, Captain Michael was just in the right place at the right time. “I was called off reserve and felt very fortunate to have been able to participate and help out in the operation in what is for those people, was an unbelievably life changing event.” He said that seeing the kids being kids onboard made him smile. “Smiles are universal in any language.”

Although we cannot share much more than this, I can say that we plan to be available for more of these charters in the future, if we are needed, and we’ll ask other employees to answer the call.

If you know our company’s history, there are moments when our employees stepped up and cared for those who desperately needed a hand. That started 90 years ago when our founders delivered critical supplies and medicine in The Great Land, and it’s continued through the years, such as the Berlin Air Lift in 1948 and in Operation Magic Carpet to evacuate 49,000 Jews from Yemen in 1949-1950. More recently, you saw it in 2014 with our evacuation flights into Cabo San Lucas to rescue stranded travelers after Hurricane Odile.

You see it every day with our people, in moments big and small. And now we have once again stepped up in a big way for people who need us most, and it will be remembered as another proud chapter in our history here at Alaska Airlines.

Thank you to our employees and community partners who helped in this effort, for their service and dedication, for making all of us proud, and for reminding us how far we can go when we come together.

Sincerely,

Constance von Muehlen

Constance von Muehlen serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Alaska Airlines, overseeing the day-to-day operations on the ground and in the air.

A 30-year aviation veteran who received her leadership training flying Black Hawk helicopters as a captain in the U.S. Army, Constance brings a proven track record of safety and operational excellence to the role. With a reputation for valuing people and doing the right thing, she approaches her work emphasizing safety, data analysis and continuous improvement in service to our guests and the frontline employee team.

Constance most recently served as Alaska’s senior vice president of maintenance and engineering, where she led all safety, compliance and operational performance of the airline’s mainline Boeing and Airbus fleet.

She previously served as chief operating officer at Alaska Air Group’s regional carrier Horizon Air from 2018 to 2019. Constance joined Alaska Airlines in 2011, and spent her initial years in various maintenance leadership roles, including as managing director of airframe, engine and component maintenance. Concurrently, she oversaw the Virgin America technical operations team, and was responsible for all aspects of Airbus fleet maintenance.

Before joining Alaska, Constance spent 20 years in aviation maintenance, time at Pratt and Whitney Canada, and as director of airframe maintenance at Air Canada.

Constance began her career as an aviation officer in the U.S. Army, flying helicopters and leading flight operations throughout the world. She holds an FAA Commercial Instrument Helicopter Pilot’s License, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Most recently, Constance graduated from the Executive MBA program at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Constance serves on the FAA’s Women in Aviation advisory board as well as on the San Jose Public Library Foundation board.

Hawaiian, POW! WOW! Hawaii Tap Next Generation of Artists for Co-Branded Product Collection

The future is bright – and extremely colorful – for 15 Hawaiʻi students selected to participate in a special eight-week art course taught by POW! WOW! Hawaii Founder and Lead Director Jasper Wong.

The summer class resulted from a partnership between Wong and Palama Settlement, a nonprofit, community-based agency supporting the Kalihi and Palama neighborhoods of urban Honolulu. Wong has long dreamed of organizing art classes in the underserved community, where arts and music programs are often the first on the chopping block when education funding gets cut. So, when administrators at Palama Settlement approached Wong to brighten its campus walls with his signature, Asian-influenced pop culture designs, he suggested taking the idea one step further by bringing his art into the classroom.

They agreed to test the waters with a summer curriculum to gauge interest – and the response was immediate.

"We got together and just said let's see what kind of curriculum we could create that caters to this community. It'll be free, we'll cap it at 15 students, put it on our social channels and right away it filled up," Wong said. "It was originally supposed to be a four-week course, but we changed it to six. Once the classes started, the kids loved it so much I just kept teaching! It ended up being eight weeks."

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The students were tasked with creating several different designs using various techniques.

The class quickly became a crash course in real life applied digital arts. The first assignment was to create original designs for a back-to-school kit for Hawaiian Airlines and POW! WOW! Hawaii's 10th Anniversary Logo Collection.

High school student Chloe Sylva, who became interested in art in middle school, relished the chance to create a design for such a large and well-known local business. "I was blown away, like this is an actual company and people will be able to buy stuff that we created," she said. 

All proceeds from the collection will go back into supporting Palama Settlement in acquiring new technology for its art program.

Wong guided students through the application of art to commercial products, starting with research and transitioning into drafting sketches, converting vectors, creating thumbnails and finalizing designs. They visited the POW! WOW! Hawaii exhibit at Bishop Museum for inspiration and also met with the brand team at Hawaiian Airlines to review the steps of building a customized product from scratch, including selecting the paper type, binding and exterior color.
 

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Students received firsthand experience in designing a product from concept to production.

Sylva worked alongside fellow students Silver Ueno, Elli Ranesis and Hailey Park to develop their design, which they titled Ku‘u Aloha ‘Āina. “We knew we wanted to incorporate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and wanted to also highlight how the POW! WOW! artists show Aloha ‘Āina through their murals.”

In all, the 15 students created five unique notebooks, each with its own design story:

FEVER DREAM
Andie Shimizu, Hidemi Hano, Austin Atagi, Hope Dela Cruz and Taetum Inofinada

“Fever Dream is the combination of our group members' individual works, combined to demonstrate our respective styles into one piece. We wanted to display self-expression and togetherness in street art into a chaotic unified design.”
 

FeverDream

HAWAIIAN ALANUI KAIKAMAHINE
Elli Ranesis, Chloe Sylva, Hailey Park and Silver Ueno

“The girl shown represents the past and present cultures in Hawai‘i; a mix of Hawaiian style, pop and street art. The leather jacket, gas mask and graffiti represent street art, while the tattoo, flower and the phrase “Ku‘u Aloha ‘Āina” (love for the land) signifies the local culture.”
 

Alanui

IKAIKA
Hailey Park, Silver Ueno, Chloe Silva and Elli Ranesis

“The piece was heavily inspired by the POW! WOW! Hawaii exhibit, taking elements of both Hawaiian and pop punk culture. 'Ku‘u Aloha ‘Āina' is a statement made by Hawaiian street artists showing their love for their arts and the land they came from.”
 

Ikaika

KU‘U ALOHA ‘ĀINA
Chloe Sylva, Hailey Park, Silver Ueno and Elli Ranesis

“’Aloha ‘Āina,’ love for the land, is a concept crucial to Hawaiian culture, in which the land and the people support one another in a symbiotic, equal relationship. Combined with ‘ku‘u,’ which means ‘my beloved,’ the phrase ‘Ku‘u Aloha ‘Āina’ encapsulates street artists' unique, much-loved way of bettering the land and perpetuating Aloha ‘Āina through their art.”
 

KuuAlohaAina

SUM OF ITS PARTS
Kayleen Howard, Maile Hoe, Polaris Bruce, Zac Domingo and Jarime Justo

“Visiting the POW! WOW! Hawaii exhibit at Bishop Museum left us with three main ideas to implement and showcase in our design.

The first was the massive spectrum of styles both realistic and cartoonish as well as colors from monotone to rainbow.  The second idea was the feeling of excitement. Everything in the exhibit was moving – a living, breathing work of art, just like the street art it paid homage to. The final idea from the exhibit was the concept of unity. No matter how wildly different any one piece was, they were all wonderfully unique pieces of the same puzzle connected through the history and community of street art. No artwork felt out of place.”
 

SumOfItsParts

Wong wasn’t sure what to expect when he first walked into the classroom – students didn’t know each other and came from different communities, which meant they didn’t all have access to the same tools and technology. However, Wong noticed right away they all shared something far more important: passion.

“These students are so amazing and so passionate and that’s all it takes for them to find a way,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if they have access to the right software or right program, they'll find something and they'll teach themselves.”

Sylva, who just weeks prior thought about studying to become a lawyer, now realizes her passion can also be her career.

“This was such an empowering experience,” she said. “Art was just a hobby for me, but I know now that I can have a stable career. It’s opened new ideas for me as far as what I can do with my life. My dream job is to be a designer and design book covers or logos, but I’m also interested in psychology so I could also do art therapy.”
 

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Students proudly show off their completed notebook designs.

You can support these young designers by purchasing one of their kits at Shop.HawaiianAirlines.com. All proceeds from the collection will support Palama Settlement in acquiring new technology for its art program.

Hawaiian Airlines Welcomes Guests to Travel Responsibly with New In-flight Video

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is furthering its commitment to educate guests arriving in Hawai‘i on how to safely and responsibly enjoy the islands by debuting a new in-flight video. The five-minute Travel Pono spot, which begins airing next week in the cabins of Hawaiian’s transpacific aircraft, features five Hawaiian Airlines crewmembers – including a firefighter, volunteers for search and rescue operations and marine mammal protection, and a cultural practitioner – who share expert advice on ocean and hiking safety, conservation of endangered species and the environment, and cultural and community best practices. 

“We’ve served as Hawai‘i’s hometown carrier for over nine decades, and as residents of this special place, we are proud to welcome our guests with valuable information that will enrich their experience on the islands while helping protect Hawai’i’s natural resources and our way of life,” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “Over the last month we have heard from our community and employees calling for a video like this, and we listened.”

The Travel Pono video will show prior to landing on the in-flight entertainment system of Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330 and via the wireless streaming function for personal devices on the narrow-body Airbus A321neo.

“We all have a shared responsibility to mālama (to care for) our guests, and in return, we ask that they care for us and our home,” said John De Fries, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “We thank Hawaiian Airlines for taking a leadership role in educating visitors about how to respect and nurture our people and place, for the well-being of our communities throughout the state.”

The in-flight spot is an extension of Hawaiian’s Travel Pono program, which the carrier introduced last fall to encourage responsible tourism as Hawai‘i welcomed back visitors through its Safe Travels program. The program has since equipped thousands of guests with tips on how to experience Hawai’i safely and respectfully, shared via Hawaiian’s pre-trip emails, website, Manaʻo blog, and social media channels.

In addition to the new Travel Pono video, Hawaiian’s guests will continue to have access to a library of informative content, produced by the carrier’s local partners and ranging from ocean safety to cultural education. In April 2019, Hawaiian partnered with the state of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources on educational public service announcements focused on caring for the islands’ natural resources, and this month added videos created by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority for its popular Mālama Hawaiʻi campaign.

Hawaiian Airlines' commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment, culture and community remains steadfast. In July 2021, the carrier released its Corporate Kuleana Report, which details the carrier’s progress on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives during the most challenging period in its 92-year history due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more, visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com/TravelPono.

About Hawaiian Airlines 

Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 17 years (2004-2020) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i. 

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti and twice-monthly service between Honolulu and American Samoa. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia and New Zealand.
 
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. 

A speedy way to save time & skip stress through airport security at SEA is here to stay

Learn more about SEA Spot Saver.

We’ve got good news about a new way to save time at Sea-Tac International Airport that we first told you about this past spring. SEA Spot Saver allows Alaska Airlines guests flying out of Seattle to make online appointments to get through general screening security checkpoints faster. It has been such a hit with flyers, it’s now a permanent fixture.

From early May (when the pilot program began) through the end of August, more than 125,000 Alaska guests took advantage of SEA Spot Saver on their departing flights from Sea-Tac. Interesting tidbit: The most reservations during that time were on Alaska flights between Seattle and Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Columbus and San Diego.

When we launched the new system with the Port of Seattle, our easy-to-use reservation process proved to be so popular we’ve now extended how far out you can book an appointment – from 24 hours before departure to 72 hours.

Here are a few comments we received from guests who used the program:

“I have artificial hips and knees that are titanium. I am always a nervous wreck. This service was comforting to me and the staff was very helpful. It was very organized as well. Thank you…will always use this when available.”

“I have an unvaccinated child, under 12. I am so nervous about flying with her. This service eased my mind. I’d love to use it again for our flight in October!”

“I wish all airports would use this system. I didn’t have to leave for the airport nearly as early as I would have if I didn’t have a security checkpoint appointment.” 

“We’re thrilled so many of our guests are giving SEA Spot Saver great reviews and embracing like we are, new innovations and ideas to make traveling more convenient and less stressful,” said Charu Jain, Alaska’s senior vice president of merchandising and innovation. “Anything we can do to make the airport experience easier is always a win for our guests.”

If you’d like to give SEA Spot Saver a try on your next trip out of Sea-Tac (securing a slot is free and no membership is required), follow these pointers:

  • Sign up online for an appointment. Again, you can do it as early as 72 hours before your departure. Just type in your date of travel, destination, flight number and how many are traveling in your party. 
  • With your entire family listed on your reservation, everyone gets through security together. Super convenient. 
  • You’ll receive an email with a designated 15-minute window of time – say 9-9:15 a.m. – to pass through an expedited security screening line at Checkpoints 3 or 5 on the day you’re flying out.
  • Slots are issued every day between 4 a.m. to noon Pacific Time – the prime morning hours when the airport is busiest.
  • If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, you can still take advantage of SEA Spot Saver, but you won’t receive the benefits of those trusted traveler programs such as not having to remove your shoes and electronics. You’ll need to choose which program you want to use.

Guests can also take advantage of the program once they get to the airport by scanning the QR code on SEA Spot Saver signs around the terminal — the code will take you to the website to sign up.

With hygiene and safety concerns top of mind as many of us return to air travel, we’ve focused additional innovation efforts on making it easy for your journey to be almost entirely touch-free:

  • Use the Alaska mobile app to do it all, from buying a ticket to checking in for your flight to paying for any bags you want to check.
  • At our airport kiosks, you can scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags – without even touching the screen.
  • If you need to check in with one of our agents, no need for handing over a paper trail: they can text you your boarding pass and email your receipts.
  • During boarding, your boarding pass can now be scanned from up to six feet away to help maintain physical distance.
  • Onboard your flight, enjoy the food and beverage you pre-ordered and paid for using a credit card stored in your Mileage Plan account. If you purchase a Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter and a glass of wine on the flight, our flight attendants can still use your stored credit card – no need to reach out and hand over a card.

Hawaiian Airlines to Resume American Samoa Service

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is reconnecting Honolulu (HNL) and American Samoa (PPG) by resuming nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and the U.S. Territory next week. Hawaiian, which suspended its twice-weekly HNL-PPG service at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, will be offering service through Dec.6.*

“We are delighted to bring American Samoa back into our network and welcome guests who have been patiently waiting for our flights to restart,” said Brent Overbeek, senior vice president for network planning and revenue management at Hawaiian Airlines. “As Pacific island neighbors, we understand how much our guests rely on our service and we look forward to safely reconnecting family and friends.”

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330

Hawaiian is resuming nonstop service between Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye (HNL) and American Samoa's Pago Pago (PPG) international airports with Airbus A330 aircraft.

Hawaiian, which provides the only regularly scheduled air link between the two island chains, paused flights for 17 months at the request of the American Samoa government. On Jan. 13, Hawaiian began operating a series of repatriation flights to bring to American Samoa thousands of residents who had been stranded away from home in Hawai‘i, the U.S. mainland and beyond.

Travelers to American Samoa must follow a series of government health and safety protocols, including proof of vaccination and negative pre-travel test results. More details are available at the TALOFApass website. Guests flying to Hawai‘i are required to create a state of Hawai‘i Safe Travels account and upload their vaccination card or negative pre-travel test to avoid quarantine upon arrival.

Hawaiian will continue to operate the route with its 278-seat, wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft. Please visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com to view flight schedules and purchase tickets.

* This release was updated on Sept. 23 to reflect changes to the flight schedule. 

About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 17 years (2004-2020) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia and New Zealand.

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.

 

Ready, Set, Holoholo! Registration Begins for Hawaiian Airlines’ Second Annual Virtual Fitness Challenge

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is encouraging its employees and guests from around the globe to combat pandemic-related stress and holoholo (to go out) with the launch of its second annual Holoholo Challenge. Starting today, exercise enthusiasts and Hawaiʻi lovers worldwide are invited to register for the monthlong fitness journey, which begins Oct. 1 with new Maui-inspired routes.

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Challenge participants can opt to walk/run, swim, or bike virtual courses that span the Valley Isle’s diverse terrain. Routes include a 244-mile bike ride, equivalent to biking up Haleakalā’s hillsides and around Maui; a 50-mile run/walk, the distance from Upcountry Maui to Kāʻanapali on West Maui; a 26-mile swim mimicking a Maui-to-Molokaʻi-to-Lānaʻi race; and a 170-mile run/walk/relay (up to four people), the approximate circumference of the island. Those signing up will also be given the option to donate to Special Olympics Hawaiʻi or The Maui Farm, a local nonprofit providing farm-based, family-centered programs that teach essential life skills for self-sufficient living.

Holo Holo - Hawaiian Airlines - Matty Leong - 6

 

“The first Holoholo Challenge connected thousands of people, safely and virtually, around a shared goal,” said Rob Sorensen, vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “With the continued uncertainty of the pandemic, and resulting burnout and stress, we want to encourage participants, especially those in our work ʻohana, to make their wellness a priority. And there’s no better way to reenergize than getting outside for a little healthy competition among friends – new and old – that also supports a great cause.”

Holo Holo - Hawaiian Airlines - Matty Leong - 3

 

Participants can join groups, download and print a race bib, challenge friends, enjoy a curated Spotify playlist, find tips and recipes and learn more about the Valley Isle on the Holoholo Challenge website, as well as earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles by referring friends. The carrier’s popular Holoholo Challenge Facebook Group will also make its return, where participants worldwide can share photos and testimonials of their experience, and use #HoloholoChallenge for a chance to be featured on Hawaiian Airlines social media channels.

Additionally, the carrier is boosting engagement within its workforce by offering giveaways to employee participants, who have the option to track miles throughout their workday, as well as during their personal time.

Holo Holo - Hawaiian Airlines - Matty Leong - 2

 

Hawaiian introduced the Holoholo Challenge in October 2020 to foster wellness and connection amid times of heightened isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions. The fitness experience debuted with two Oʻahu walking/running courses and attracted nearly 12,000 participants from Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland, including more than 900 Hawaiian Airlines employees, who completed approximately 852,700 miles (the equivalent of walking the island perimeter more than 6,500 times) and raised over $68,000 for the carrier’s nonprofit partner, Special Olympics Hawai‘i.

Finishers of this year’s challenge will receive a Maui Holoholo Challenge medal, limited-edition shirt and exclusive postcard map of Maui designed by celebrated Hawaiʻi graphic designer Nick Kuchar.

To register and learn more about this year’s courses, visit HoloholoChallenge.com.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 17 years (2004-2020) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa.

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.

Celebrating 40 years of flying in the Pacific Northwest with Horizon Air

Today is one for the history books! On this day, 40 years ago, Horizon Air, our sister airline in the Pacific Northwest, flew its first flight between Seattle and Yakima, Washington. 

If you’re from the PNW there’s a strong chance you’ve flown with Horizon. They’re the regional airline for Alaska Airlines and help connect our guests in the West with the world. 

“Horizon connects us all to the Pacific Northwest’s incredible outdoor communities and amazing small cities and enables our connection to the country and world. Horizon Air employees make travel feel personal and bring incredible heart and care to every guest,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska CEO. 

Meet Travion Smith, a ground service agent in Seattle who stays “grounded” through kindness and awareness. Read more

Did you know? 

  • Horizon flies to more than 50 destinations in our route network. 
  • First airline to serve Starbucks coffee in the sky.   
  • Are always looking for great new team members. Check out current job openings! 
  • Known for delivering performance with excellence and developing industry leading innovations to create safe, incomparable flying experiences. 
  • Flies 32 Bombardier Q400 aircraft—perfectly suited for serving smaller communities in the PNW—and 30 Embraer E175 aircraft.  
  • Well known for offering FREE beer + wine to guests 21 years young on Q400 flights!  

To commemorate Horizon’s momentous day, a special flight will fly the same route that started it all on Sept 1, 1981. This time, it will be flown on Horizon’s “Meatball” plane, a custom-painted retro-themed aircraft, which will fly some of its beloved employees and guests from Seattle to Yakima. 

“We’re flying our meatball livery on the same route Horizon flew 40 years ago,” said Capt. Perry Solmonson, 40th Anniversary Committee Chair. “This is a huge milestone for us and this anniversary flight recognizes not only the hard and successful work accomplished to date, but also celebrate our up-and-coming team members of the future.” 

40 years of history 

Founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Milt Kuolt and a group of venture capitalists in Seattle, Horizon had fewer than 100 employees at that time and operated a fleet of two F-27 propjets. 

Kuolt believed that every guest deserved more than just a ride from point A to B, which turned into the superior service that Horizon is still known for today. 

“Service began with complimentary wine then blossomed into other little but much-appreciated amenities such as free newspapers handed out at the gate, complimentary coffee, and baskets on board filled with munching snacks that included all kinds of goodies,” wrote Robert J. Serling in the chapter on Horizon Air in the book, Character & Characters: The Spirit of Alaska Airlines. 

The service created a culture, a way of life and a state of mind that was “firmly embedded in the work ethic and attitude of every Horizon employee,” wrote Serling. 

Today, Horizon has more than 3,500 employees and operates a fleet of 62 aircraft. 

Reaching 40 years is a huge milestone. Despite the ups and downs of the industry, it’s been the people of Horizon who have carried the company forward. Our 40th anniversary is all about our people. 

First Officer Perry Solmonson waves from the cockpit.

“What I love most about Horizon is our family unit. I have never seen a group of people come together more for the good of a company or each other as I have witnesses during my time with QX. The commitment to our values, the love and respect we show each other and the service to our guests across all work groups is unmatched. I look forward to seeing my colleagues who I consider extended family.” – Natalie Razor, Flight Attendant. SEA

“I love the opportunities to travel around the world on behalf of Horizon Air. I love the opportunities I’ve had to mentor the next generations of Maintenance Technicians. I love the opportunities to travel through the system and assist in new station openings. I love the dynamics of the business, always learning the new aircraft, working through the highs and lows, (9-11, the pandemic). Raising my family.” – Willard Clark, lead technician, GEG

“Being a part of the Horizon family is exactly that. Like any family, we have our ups and downs, highs and lows. We support our Horizon family members and help each other overcome our problems. Some say you can’t pick your family; Horizon is the exception.” – Bill Bowling, Q400 Captain, PDX 

“Growing up in the tiny town of Connell, WA; Horizon Air was the airline I trusted to get me to the nearest major airport. It is always the airline I flew on my voyage outside of home and back to my home. Now I am living in Seattle and Horizon still connects me to my parents in my hometown that I love flying to! I am proud to be part of the airline that keeps us connected through the years. #PSC” – Jaime Chavez, passenger service agent, SEA

“I love the loyalty and dedication the employees have and flying with a regional airline I see that same loyalty with our customers. In the short 10 months I have already seen several of our elites on a regular basis and it feels good to be able to build that relationship with them.” – Catherine Alder, Flight Attendant, PDX  

New San Francisco Lounge celebrates local flavor and flair

Sip and savor your way through the iconic flavors of San Francisco at our newest Alaska Lounge, opening Aug. 31 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). 

Our lounge, conveniently located in Terminal 2 just past security, offers more than 9,000 square feet of relaxing space where guests can enjoy classic bites like San Francisco sourdough bread and a pint of the city’s famed Anchor Brewing Crisp Pilsner while taking in art inspired by the Bay Area. The lounge is a complete renovation of the former American Airlines Admirals Club and will be open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 

SFO is the second-largest lounge in our network and has some fun features including: 

  • Trained baristas who will serve Starbucks coffee. 
  • A sourdough cart and candy bar with delicious bites.
  • California beers and wines for smooth sips.
  • Local art from artists in the Bay Area to brighten your day.
  • Room for kids to play, inspired by the San Francisco Giants. 

“We’re thrilled to give our guests a place to work, relax, unwind and enjoy some of the best of what the Golden City has to offer when they travel through SFO on Alaska or a oneworld partner,” says Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines. 

The Sourdough Cart

Sourdough bread – a part of San Francisco’s food scene since Gold Rush days – will be the highlight of our vintage-style cart featuring local bakeries like Acme Bread Company. Acme is known for its San Francisco Ferry Building location and the Bay Area restaurants it supplies, including Berkeley’s celebrated Chez Panisse. Available at lunch and dinner meal times, the sourdough cart will also offer a variety of sweet and savory toppings, such as ricotta with figs and honey, and burrata with pesto.

The Candy Bar

Just past the Lounge reception desk, a nook beckons with jars of jewel-toned Jelly Belly jelly beans and sweet squares of Ghirardelli chocolate. Ghirardelli’s roots in San Francisco stretch back to 1849, and Jelly Belly candies have called Northern California home for more than three decades.

Guests can also seek their sweet fortunes in custom travel-themed cookies from Oakland’s Fortune Cookie Factory, a third-generation family business that has been baking fortune cookies in the Bay Area for more than 60 years.

California beers and wines

Unwind with a taste of one of Northern California’s finest brews; along with Anchor Brewing, we’ll be pouring Lagunitas IPA, Calicraft Brewing’s Tiki Time tropical wheat ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. We’ll also offer a rotating selection of California wines, and our bartenders will mix up a new craft cocktail each month.

Guests can also enjoy an all-day buffet featuring steel-cut oatmeal, fresh salads and hearty soups – along with our famous pancake printer. 

Art with a purpose

In addition to art by local artists sourced by San Francisco’s Minted, our new Lounge will showcase a piece called “Offshore” by American painter and printmaker Anne Neely, who is inspired by Alaska’s commitment to reduce our climate impact. “The artist saw the efforts we have been making in sustainability, and she gifted the art to support those efforts and add to the conversation,” says Jordan Womack, Alaska Lounge product manager.

Fans will have a ball

Young San Francisco Giants fans can cheer for the home team in the play area featuring baseball-themed games and art celebrating mascot Lou Seal.

The Alaska Lounge value

Alaska Lounge membership costs nearly 60 percent less than other airline lounge programs. “Hands down, Alaska offers the single best value of any airport lounge membership in the country,” Woerner says. “Our eight lounges redefine the guest experience and offer a calm oasis for every type of traveler.” 

And like SFO, each lounge lets guests explore its region through its unique food and drinks. For example, here are some of the local beers featured:

Anchorage (ANC): Alaskan Amber, King Street Brewing

Los Angeles (LAX): Boomtown IPA

New York (JFK): Greenport IPA, Bronx Brewery Summer Ale

Portland (PDX): Deschutes Mirror Pond

Seattle (SEA): Airways Preflight Pilsner, Georgetown Bodhizafa IPA

How to visit Alaska Lounges

Guests can visit Alaska Lounges by becoming a lounge member, flying First Class with us or purchasing a day pass. Pro tip: Guests can enjoy 50% off a lounge day pass when they pay with their Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card*. 

Giving you more options

Beginning Oct. 1, we’re updating our membership structure to give you more options and flexibility.

We’ll now offer two tiers of lounge memberships:

Alaska Lounge: Members will receive access to all Alaska Lounges when flying on any airline.

Alaska Lounge+: Members will receive access to all Alaska Lounges and an extended network of more than 90 partner airline lounges across the country, including all American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

Pricing will update to the following:

  • Alaska Lounge membership: $450 annually ($350 for Alaska Airlines MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k members)
  • Alaska Lounge+ membership: $600 annually ($500 for Alaska Airlines MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k members)
  • New Lounge membership enrollments and renewals made before Alaska’s two-tier structure goes into effect in October will be grandfathered into an Alaska Lounge+ membership for the duration of the membership period.

Keep up with our Lounges on alaskaair.com.

FLY TO SAN FRANCISCO
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