Joan Cutler was seven years old when her brother Alfred Turgeon set off to war. Shortly thereafter, “Freddy” was killed in a plane crash over Romania in 1943.
For decades, because Freddy’s body was never identified, Cutler and her family held out hope that he’d walk through the front door of their Massachusetts home.
Following the war, the U.S. military attempted to recover fallen soldiers from unmarked graves, which the Nazis used to bury American service members. While many soldiers were identified, more than 80 men, including Turgeon, remained unknown and were re-buried in a Belgium cemetery.
“Like a lot of us, Joan was curious about what happened to him, where he was, or if he somehow survived and just had amnesia,” said David Bass, Turgeon’s nephew.
But in March 2021 — nearly 78 years after his uncle’s plane was shot down — Bass received a phone call from the Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirming his uncle’s remains had been identified and would be returned to the family.
U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Alfred F. Turgeon, 23, was killed during World War II and accounted for on Jan. 13, 2021. Photo courtesy of David Bass.
Kathy next to her mom, Joan, and nephew David waiting at SeaTac airport for an Alaska Airlines flight to arrive from Omaha with Turgeon’s remains.
Turgeon was working as a waist gunner and radio operator when his squadron took part in a daylight bombing raid on Nazi oil refineries in Ploiesti, Romania. His plane was struck by enemy forces and burst into flames. Of the 10-man crew, only the captain survived. Photo courtesy of David Bass.
Scientists used DNA provided by Bass, his cousin Kathy, and his aunt Joan to identify the remains. Turgeon’s family finally had answers, and the opportunity to bring him home to his final resting place.
At Alaska, we reserve a special aircraft for heroes, like Turgeon.
Earlier this month, Turgeon was transported from Omaha to Seattle on Alaska’s Honoring Those Who Serve commemorative aircraft, which serves as a tribute to U.S. servicemen and women and their families.
The Honoring Those Who Serve plane is dedicated to the brave men and women of the U.S. military, as well as veterans of the armed forces and their families. Its unique exterior paint scheme, conceived by a small group of Alaska maintenance technicians, was designed to symbolize remembrance, pride, and appreciation.
“I wish Freddy’s parents could have seen the way he was brought home, it was beyond anything we could’ve ever imagined. Alaska and everyone involved really pulled out all the stops,” Bass said.
Joan, 87, was seated on the ramp as her daughter and nephew stood by to watch the aircraft’s arrival carrying Turgeon’s casket. Passengers remained in their seats, peering out the windows to a ramp full of service men and women from the military and beyond to pay tribute to Turgeon. His casket was carefully delivered to an honor guard who carried it to a waiting hearse near the aircraft.
“The fallen soldier program Alaska has is really something,” said Bass. “I like the fact that when they were getting the casket prepared to leave the cargo hold, the lead agent asked my permission if they could continue with the preparation of the casket. Everything was received appropriately and to our satisfaction. I thought that was really nice.”
In May 2011, line aircraft technician Brian Bowden (pictured below), and a group of maintenance technicians witnessed U.S. military caskets being carried as cargo. Wanting to honor fallen soldiers, Bowden, with the help of several other team members including Kevin Kruse (above) and Brett Megran, created Alaska’s Fallen Soldier Program. The program ensures that the remains of fallen soldiers are transported to their final resting place in a respectful and dignified manner.
Turgeon, who grew up in Cordova, Alaska, will be laid to rest next to his mother. When she passed years ago, the family bought a spot on the wall for her and also for Turgeon should he ever be found.
On Aug. 28, he will be buried next to her and his sister, among other family members and receive full military honors at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Shoreline, Washington.
Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer flew in from the state of Alaska to present the Turgeon family with a certificate and flag in honor of Turgeon’s service. “It was a blessing to see Alfred return home to his country, where his younger sister, niece, and nephew awaited him. We will be forever grateful for his service to our country,” tweeted Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer.
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines announced today that it will not restart its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger service between Honolulu and Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i as well as its statewide ATR freighter cargo service.
Freighter service with ATR 72 aircraft was suspended in November 2020 and passenger service with ATR 42 aircraft was halted Jan. 14. Service between Honolulu and Kapalua was suspended in March 2020. The severe decline in Neighbor Island travel demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and state and county quarantine measures triggered a labor provision that led to the temporary suspension of passenger and cargo flights. Hawaiian decided to permanently end service following an in-depth assessment of the overall operation and its long-term viability.
“This is a heartbreaking decision, particularly for those of us who were involved in launching the business in 2014,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO at Hawaiian Airlines. “We took a hard look at the service and could not identify a way to restart and sustainably operate.”
Hawaiian would have incurred significant costs and faced numerous obstacles in restarting service with its current fleet of aircraft. The soonest flights could have resumed was at the end of this year.
‘Ohana by Hawaiian was operated by Idaho-based Empire Airlines as a third-party feeder carrier. When service was at its peak, Empire employed 82 pilots, flight attendants and maintenance personnel in the state of Hawai‘i as well as 15 at its home base in Idaho. All 97 employees were dedicated to the ‘Ohana operation.
Contractor Worldwide Flight Services employed a staff of 28 to provide ground handling services. All other ‘Ohana by Hawaiian operations were managed by Hawaiian employees, who will be reassigned to other areas of the company.
Hawaiian has begun moving its ATR fleet to the U.S. mainland for storage and eventual sale. The company lent some of its ground support equipment to Mokulele Airlines, which is providing service between Honolulu and Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i.
“We thank the communities of Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i for their support of ‘Ohana by Hawaiian,” said Ingram. “We will continue to explore opportunities to return to and to reconnect the islands as Hawai‘i’s carrier.”
Hawaiian launched ‘Ohana by Hawaiian flights in the spring of 2014, followed by all-cargo service in the summer of 2018.
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 nonstop flights within the Hawaiian Islands, between Hawai‘i and more U.S. gateway cities (16) than any other airline, as well as service connecting the islands with Japan and South Korea. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian has temporarily suspended service in Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti.
The airline is committed to the health and safety of its guests and employees and has reinforced enhanced cleaning procedures across its business. While the experience may be a little different, the authentic Hawaiian hospitality remains unchanged. Additional details on how Hawaiian is keeping guests and employees safe can be found at HawaiianAirlines.com/KeepingYouSafe.
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.
Tropic like it’s hot: 5 reasons you need to visit Belize
Belize offers vacation-seekers a place that’s unapologetically casual, warm and welcoming.
Located in Central America, Belize has a loose mix of Caribbean charm with a North American feel. You’ll find most conversations and signs are in English, as it’s the official language, and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted.
Here are just some of the adventures you can have while visiting Belize:
EXPLORE THE MYSTERY OF MAYA
Whether you’re looking to explore for an afternoon, a day or week, Belize’s ancient Maya sites are well worth it and most are just a few miles away from any major town or city.
From Xunantunich to Caracol and Cerros and Lamanai, really anywhere you go in Belize, you’re bound to come across ancient Maya temples — you might even find ancient pieces of pottery or spot a hill in the distance that’s actually a temple.
Xunantunich – Mayan Ruins
DIVE INTO THE WORLD’S SECOND-LARGEST BARRIER REEF
Home to hundreds of species of coral and fish, Belize has the world’s second-longest reef, spanning more than 185 miles — second to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Divers, snorkelers and biologists from all over the world love coming to Belize for its incredible oceanic life.
The Great Blue Hole, in particular, is the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere (approx. 406-foot deep) and easily one of the greatest geological wonders of the world. And, it’s only 43 miles off the coast of Belize City so you can easily see it in a day. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye and dozens of other sites off the coast of Belize are also amazing whether you’re an experienced or amateur diver (though, it’s recommended you know how to swim before testing the waters)!
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
FLOW SOLO OR WITH FRIENDS
Whether you’re a first-time paddler or kayak enthusiast, you can enjoy going with the flow on Belize’s clear waters, where you can spot reefs, rays, sea turtles and more. Most coastal and island resorts offer kayaks for short excursions up/down beaches and around the islands, while professional kayak outfitters offer multi-day packages.
You can also explore thousands of ancient caves and underground waterfalls (i.e., Blue Creek, Caves Branch). Either way, when the water calls, Belize has the answer.
CATCH A BITE
Since many of the rivers in Belize empty into the Caribbean Sea, you’re bound to score some fresh fish. Turneffe Atoll, 20 miles from Belize City, offers some of the most desired areas in the world for fly-fishing—there, you’re bound to catch tarpon, bonefish, and permit, or maybe even all three.
Fishing guides are helpful and have no problem sharing their “secret” spots to find the perfect catch. Just remember, to fish in Belize, whether catch and release or not, you’ll need to purchase a sport fishing license. Learn more at coastalzonebelize.org.
TAKE A HIKE
Beaches not your jam? Whatever level of hiker you consider yourself, Belize has hundreds of hiking trails and forests filled with adventure, wildlife and amazing views that will keep you on your toes.
Howler monkey in the forest.
You might even encounter exotic tropical plants, birds and howler monkeys (which are known to be some of the loudest animals in the world). Also, be on the lookout for crocodiles, or the tracks of the elusive jaguar and tapir (just hope they’re only the tracks).
Many of Belize’s hiking trails are designed in loops so trailblazers can easily return to the starting point with no issues. Some trails are self-guided, and others require the expertise of a licensed tour guide who can point out wildlife and local plants.
Alaska will begin seasonal service to Belize from Los Angeles and Seattle starting Nov. 19 – just in time for the holiday season! Fares between L.A. and Belize City start at $199, and $249 between Seattle and Belize City. Tickets are available for purchase now on alaskaair.com.
Alaska dispatchers and Silicon Valley are revolutionizing more efficient, sustainable ways to fly
What might be one of the most significant uses of technology to come into the aviation industry in 30 years, is happening right now … about eighty feet off the ground in Alaska Airlines’ Network Operations Center. It’s here, on the sixth floor of “The Hub” in Seattle, where Alaska dispatchers are working to determine the safest and most efficient ways to fly our aircraft from point A to point B.
“We’re responsible for selecting the route, determining the fuel and working around weather to get our flights and guests where they need to go safely, as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” said Brad Ward, a longtime Alaska dispatcher responsible for working with pilots to ensure the safe routing and operation of a flight.
“Dispatchers have relied on legacy computer systems for years to build one flight at a time. Now, with new tools, we’re able to make informed decisions quickly with even greater precision,” said Ward.
Flyways AI is a new platform from a software-first aerospace company called Airspace Intelligence. The software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help dispatchers plan the most efficient routes around the continental U.S., and continuously monitor flights. This is a first in the U.S. transportation industry, and likely the world. AI and machine learning (ML) helps dispatchers sort through multiple sources of information to calculate the best way to get you to your destination quickly and safely. Think Waze GPS navigational app, but for airplanes.
Airspace Intelligence and Alaska have been working together for two years to best implement Flyways across the continental U.S. so that it delivers the best results in Alaska’s operating environment for innovation, safety and sustainability.
“Alaska’s pilots have a long history of operating the safest and most efficient routes in the industry, beginning with our pioneering work on Required Navigation Performance when our pilots became the world’s first to fly space-based approaches versus traditional terrestrial routes,” said Pasha Saleh, flight operations strategy and innovation director for Alaska Airlines. “Flyways is part of that continued journey. It allows us to look at everything, to optimize all available data and plan routes in real time to get our guests to their destinations smoother, safer and faster.”
Optimizing data, minimizing carbon, getting you there faster
With today’s rapidly evolving AI capabilities and our ever-present goal of reducing carbon emissions, the time is right to invest in tools that enable dispatchers to work with pilots to ensure each flight’s safe routing and operation and help us achieve our operational and sustainability goals.
When determining a flight path for an aircraft, several stakeholders are involved: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the dispatcher(s). Together, they provide routing options and recommendations based on a handful of data points and up to eight sources like weather reports and restricted air updates. Dispatchers collect the data from these FAA-approved sources before departure and build each flight’s time and flight paths.
Flyways simplifies the process, but it also enables a dispatcher to process a complex array of variables seamlessly – and predictive information about the future – that is otherwise a challenge to take in simultaneously.
Flyways understands how and when traffic jams occur and uses predictive modeling to recommend routes that optimize our overall network, not just one flight. The tool helps our dispatchers select routes that avoid bad weather, turbulence, restricted airspace and airspace congestion enabling them to do what they do best. It also consolidates multiple tools into a single dispatch system, eliminating different sources for information. And the dispatcher uses their judgment to determine when and how to use the Flyways optimized routes while always ensuring that safety comes first.
“Our mission is to improve the predictability of the highly complex and dynamically changing flight operations in the National Airspace System,” said Phillip Buckendorf, CEO of Airspace Intelligence. “We do this by applying the latest advances in AI to empower the quality, speed, and precision of human decision-makers.”
How will you notice a difference when flying Alaska?
As we all get back to more flying, Flyways will help our dispatchers deliver the safest and most efficient routes to our pilots, saving time and carbon emissions and getting our guests where they want to go faster and with less turbulence.
Imagine you’re on a flight from Seattle to New York City. Before the flight leaves, Flyways recommends a route to the dispatcher that skirts a storm currently sitting over Minnesota, saving minutes on your arrival time. And, as your flight prepares to descend, it does so on an arrival stream that Flyways has previously forecast will be least congested.
While minutes may seem insignificant when calculated into a full day of travel, every minute counts for guests connecting to flights. Plus, the amount of jet fuel consumed every minute is staggering.
In a six-month pilot with Flyways, Alaska reduced its fuel use by 480,000 gallons – reducing nearly 4,600 tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. This was conducted during a time when flying overall was significantly depressed by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A perfect fit for our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 given the foundational step in that pathway to net-zero is operational efficiency. A smoother flight for our guests = a more sustainable flight for our planet. This is technology we can all get behind.
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is seeking qualified candidates to fill more than 400 positions ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer travel season.
Hawaiian saw a rebound in demand in the first quarter and has been rebuilding its network and workforce to accommodate steadily growing interest in travel to its home state. The need for team members on Maui is particularly acute, and Hawaiian is offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus to attract experienced applicants for most jobs on the Valley Isle.
“We aspire to be the employer of choice,” said Robin Kobayashi, senior vice president of human resources at Hawaiian Airlines. “We offer rewarding career opportunities along with generous travel privileges. As businesses recover from the pandemic, the need for qualified workers is increasing. It is imperative that we remain competitive, and we hope our sign-on bonus for positions on Maui generates a lot of interest.”
Hawai‘i’s hometown airline currently employs about 6,850 people, more than 90 percent of whom are based in the state. Most new positions are in airport operations and include guest service agents, ramp agents, operations managers and aircraft mechanics in Honolulu, Maui, Hilo, Kona, Līhu‘e and in select cities on the U.S. West Coast; the majority are part-time positions. Full-time job opportunities at the company’s corporate office in Honolulu are in IT, marketing, human resources and sales.
Although Hawaiian recalled nearly all furloughed employees, it is hiring to backfill vacant positions and to fill openings that support new routes. The company recently launched nonstop services between Honolulu and Orlando, Austin and Ontario, California, and added flights connecting Maui to Long Beach and Phoenix.
“We’re looking for team members who can help us deliver the exceptional service and guest experience that Hawaiian is known for,” added Kobayashi.
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 nonstop flights within the Hawaiian Islands, between Hawai‘i and more U.S. gateway cities (16) than any other airline, as well as service connecting the islands with Japan and South Korea. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian has temporarily suspended service in Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti.
The airline is committed to the health and safety of its guests and employees and has reinforced enhanced cleaning procedures across its business. While the experience may be a little different, the authentic Hawaiian hospitality remains unchanged. Additional details on how Hawaiian is keeping guests and employees safe can be found at HawaiianAirlines.com/KeepingYouSafe.
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.
Hawaiian Holdings Announces Webcast of Investor Presentation at the 2021 Wolfe Transportation and Industrials Conference
HONOLULU , May 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian"), today announced it will webcast a presentation by Peter Ingram , Hawaiian's president and chief executive officer, at the 2021 Wolfe Transportation and Industrials Conference on Tuesday, May 25 , 2021. The webcast will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time .
The presentation will be open to the public through a live audio webcast accessible in the Investor Relations section of Hawaiian's website at HawaiianAirlines.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 nonstop flights within the Hawaiian Islands, between Hawai'i and more U.S. gateway cities (16) than any other airline, as well as service connecting the islands with Japan and South Korea . As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian has temporarily suspended service in Australia , New Zealand , American Samoa and Tahiti.
The airline is committed to the health and safety of its guests and employees and has reinforced enhanced cleaning procedures across its business. While the experience may be a little different, the authentic Hawaiian hospitality remains unchanged. Additional details on how Hawaiian is keeping guests and employees safe can be found at HawaiianAirlines.com/KeepingYouSafe .
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 .
When Horizon employees found out that a four-year-old guest would be flying for his birthday, they went above and beyond to make his day extra special. Photos courtesy of the Simonis family.
It’s not every day that you get to celebrate your birthday in the air onboard your first flight.
For Thor’s birthday, his parents got him a special present – his first flight, which happened to be on Horizon Air.
When employees from Horizon Air, Alaska’s regional airline, found out that a four-year-old guest would be flying for his birthday, they went above and beyond to make his day remarkable.
William Suarez, Horizon duty manager of Seattle station operations, was notified by Patricia Eidem, Horizon SOC customer operations manager, that an inbound flight from Pasco had a special guest onboard.
The special guest was named Thor and he happened to be celebrating his fourth birthday. Eidem had heard the news about Thor and his family from CSA Andrew Dorman.
Megan Simonis, Thor’s mom, says he loves airplanes. Whenever he looks up and sees an airplane, he stops what he’s doing, makes everyone around him look up at the plane and wave. He always says he’s going to fly one someday.
The family flew from Pasco to Seattle to eat lunch and return home the same day.
In Pasco, Dorman checked Thor’s family in. They boarded early and took photos with and talked to the crew. Onboard, the flight attendant even made a birthday announcement.
In Seattle, Thor was greeted by a welcoming committee.
In Seattle, Thor was greeted by a welcoming committee made of Matt Anderson, supervisor of customer service; Christa Hastings, supervisor of customer service; Brittney Leggett, ground service agent team captain; and Tyler Strader, communications agent. The team greeted Thor and his family holding pom poms and signs.
“I was able to gather some Alaska-branded merchandise to throw in the bag and gave him a personalized card from the team,” Suarez said.
Thor was so happy and excited.
“The team went above and beyond for Thor’s birthday,” wrote Simonis, in an email. “It was truly a magical day, one that won’t be forgotten. You all are amazing.”
Alaska Airlines flies season’s first Copper River salmon to Seattle
A fish-filled (& painted) jet touched down at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly after 10 a.m. today, carrying 17,000 pounds of wild Alaska Copper River salmon. For many, the fish are a sign that summer is officially here!
In total, today, we’re flying nearly 55,000 pounds of salmon from Cordova, Alaska to Seattle by Alaska Air Cargo – the first of many shipments expected this season, which runs now through September.
How does Alaska Airlines keep the fish fresh during the flight? Copper River salmon shipped on Alaska Air Cargo arrive as fresh as possible to grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a cool chain training program required of all airline employees who handle perishables. Employees follow strict seafood quality standards and pass an annual food quality course. The goal is to keep seafood moving rapidly throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and maintain a consistent temperature range from the time it leaves the water to when it arrives at stores and restaurants.
When is copper river salmon season? Usually mid-May through June.
Anchorage based pilots Tim Deal and Bill Jacobson with the first first, a 37-pound Copper River salmon.
How big can the salmon get? A Copper River king salmon (also called a Chinook) can grow up to 50 pounds or more, according to the Copper River Marketing Association.
How does it taste? Copper River salmon must travel 300 miles from the ocean, where they have spent their adult lives, through rugged terrain and icy waters to reach their spawning grounds, a journey that requires extra stores of energy in the form of fat, according to the Copper River Marketing Association. It is this fat that not only creates the exceptional flavor and texture of Copper River salmon, but also the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that make it so healthy to eat.
Want to see the season in action?Fly to Cordova, Alaska. Nestled in the thick of the Chugach National Forest, Cordova is quintessential small-town Alaska. It’s a place where everyone knows everyone, and like many coastal areas in Alaska, Cordova is only accessible by boat or plane. It’s a place where neighbors take care of one another, all united by passion for their community and the land they call home. Related:An Alaska state fishing tradition on the Copper River Delta
Download your very own Cordova background for your next virtual meeting!
Cook at home with Tom Douglas’ salmon recipe
“I like to use sockeye salmon for this dish – its firm flesh and rich flavors are perfect for steaming. You could, of course, use other types of salmon and this is a good technique for other firm-fleshed fish such as ling cod or halibut. Chinese bamboo steamers work well and they are not very expensive, though any steamer set up is fine. I love the aromatic steam you get in this method of cooking: the water really does have a beautiful aroma and it permeates the salmon.” – Tom Douglas, Seattle chef & restaurateur
Sake steamed Sockeye salmon with sake butter recipe:
What you’ll need:
1 Stalk lemongrass, split lengthwise
2 cups water
2 cups sake
10 Ginger coins, sliced 1/8” thick
2 Star Anise pods
Peel of 1 orange
1 ½ pounds salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions
Serves 4
Directions:
Bruise the lemongrass with the back of your knife to help release the aromatics.
Set up your steamer (we use a large saucepan or a wok with a Chinese bamboo steamer set over it).
Place the lemon grass, water, sake, ginger, star anise, and orange peel in the bottom of your steamer (ie. the saucepan or wok). Bring to a boil.
Lay the salmon fillets in the steamer basket and cover with the steamer lid.
Steam until the salmon is just done, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Place a salmon fillet on each plate. Spoon some of the sake butter over each portion of fish. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Serve with Crispy Sesame Rice Cake or Aromatic Steamed Rice and steamed baby bok choy. Pair it with some sake or a glass of classic Oregon Pinot Gris.
Bon appetit!
Hawaiian Airlines, POW! WOW! Hawai‘i Release Exclusive Anniversary Logo Collection
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines and POW! WOW! Hawai‘i, in partnership with the Bishop Museum, are celebrating the art collective’s 10th anniversary with a series of commemorative merchandise being sold to support arts education for children in Hawai‘i.
The collection features designs by the founder and lead director of POW! WOW!Hawai‘i Jasper Wong, directors Kamea Hadar and Jeff Gress, as well as keiki art from the Pālama Settlement program. The first set in the five-style collection is available starting today on Shop.HawaiianAirlines.com and includes co-branded hats, water bottles and a matte black sketch book. A new artist collection will be released at the beginning of each month, coinciding with the anniversary exhibit at Bishop Museum titled POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawai‘i to the World, which runs May 15 through Sept. 19.
“We’re excited to launch this exclusive collection in celebration of POW! WOW! Hawai‘i’s anniversary and congratulate them on ten successful years of bridging our local community with the global arts scene,” said Alisa Onishi, senior director of brand and community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines. “This collection represents our longstanding partnership and highlights the diverse styles of each artist displayed on essential items that are great for travel, work and play.”
All proceeds will go back into the local community by supporting arts education for children through Bishop Museum’s various initiatives which include interactive experiences, engaging hands-on programs, and guided tours.
“We’re extremely grateful to our partners and community members who have embarked on this decade-long journey with us,” said Jasper Wong, founder and lead director of POW! WOW! Hawai‘i. “Launching a fun and functional collection while also supporting the next generation of artists is a great way to commemorate this milestone.”
Hawaiian Airlines + POW! WOW! Hawai‘i Logo Collection Launch Dates:
Co-Branded Collection, available now
Featured items include: a Flexfit® raised 3-D embroidered hat; a mid-profile, curved visor trucker hat; a 40-ounce double-wall stainless steel thermal bottle available in a coated matte black or matte white finish; a removeable adhesive sticker; and a soft touch, matte black book with unlined acid free pages making it the perfect place to explore the creative process.
Jasper Wong Collection, available June 1
This vibrant, playful collection features a tri-color rainbow design displayed on an insulated travel cooler, beach towel, crew socks, cotton t-shirt and adhesive sticker.
Kamea Hadar Collection, available July 1
Three hibiscus, inspired by Hawaiian’s brand colors, adorn this collection of everyday items including an assortment of drinkware, large canvas tote with enamel pin, a Flexfit® raised 3-D embroidered hat and adhesive sticker.
Jeff Gress Collection, available Aug. 1
Collection details will be available closer to launch.
Pālama Settlement Collection, available Sept. 1
Collection details will be available closer to launch.
About POW! WOW!
The name POW! WOW! was inspired by the color-filled pages of comic books. “POW!” being the impact that art has on a person. And “WOW!” being the reaction that art has on a viewer. Together they form POW! WOW!, (pow wow), which is a Native American term that describes a gathering that celebrates culture, music, and art. It spoke to the core of POW! WOW!’s mission to beautify, educate, and bring people together through art.
Over the past decade, POW! WOW! has grown into a global network of artists and has organized mural festivals across the globe. As of today, it holds festivals in over 17 cities and brings over 100 international and local artists together to create murals and beautify communities.
About Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum’s mission is to inspire our community and visitors through the exploration, celebration and perpetuation of the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. The museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a royal descendant of King Kamehameha I. Today, the museum thrives as an educational center for the community and is widely regarded as the world’s premier institution for Hawaiian and Pacific content. Its vast collections of more than 25 million objects and specimens represent nine disciplines and include more than 22 million biological specimens, over two million cultural objects, 115,000 historical publications, and one million photographs, films, works of art, audio recordings, and manuscripts. These collections tell the stories of the cultures and biodiversity of Hawai‘i and the Pacific as well as the proud legacy of scholarly research spanning 130 years. Bishop Museum proudly serves more than 200,000 visitors each year, including 20,000 children on school visits. To learn more about the museum’s research, collections, exhibits, and programs, visit BishopMuseum.org, follow @BishopMuseum on Twitter and Instagram, become a fan of Bishop Museum on Facebook, visit Bishop Museum’s YouTube channel, or call (808) 847-3511. Bishop Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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 nonstop flights within the islands, between Hawai‘i and more U.S. gateway cities (16) than any other airline, as well as service connecting the islands with Japan and South Korea. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian has temporarily suspended service in Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti.
The airline is committed to the health and safety of its guests and employees and has reinforced enhanced cleaning procedures across its business. While the experience may be a little different, the authentic Hawaiian hospitality remains unchanged. Additional details on how Hawaiian is keeping guests and employees safe can be found at HawaiianAirlines.com/KeepingYouSafe.
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.
AAPI heritage destinations Alaska Airlines’ oneworld partners can take you to *someday*
As parts of the world start to open up to international travel, knowing where you can fly and what you can do when you get there is key.
To celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’ve compiled a list of places you can fly to (when travel is permitted) on our oneworld airline partners and tips from our employees who are members of our Pan-Asian and Pacific Islander business resource groups.
Although the term AAPI generally refers to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, it’s important to know the rich heritage and diversity within it, especially before traveling to Asian and Pacific Islander destinations. Here’s a roundup of destinations you must add to your travel bucket list and cultural tips when you get there.
Asia
Although some capacity is picking back up in mainland China, overall, the travel industry in Asia is still looking forward to opening its borders to visitors. We expect more travel as people get vaccinated and the resurgent of coronavirus cases subside.
Here are airlines you can fly to Asia and earn/redeem Alaska miles with our oneworld alliance:
American Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Japan Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Qantas
Royal Jordanian
S7 Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
Fiji Airways
Culture note: Asian Americans may include persons having origins in any of the original people of Asia’s six major sub-regions: East, West, Central, Northern, Southeastern and North including, but not limited to: Indonesia, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
I grew up in Hong Kong, a pretty small place compared to the state of Washington, where I Iive now (165x smaller). Although I’ve been in the U.S. for a while, I miss everything about Hong Kong – especially the food. There are so many great layers to Hong Kong, and I’m sure you’ll find one you enjoy.
Visit during fall and winter instead of summer as it gets very hot and humid. I’d also suggest bringing a pair of comfortable walking shoes, as travel by foot is easy when used in conjunction with public transportation (known as the Mass Transit Railway, or MTR, in Hong Kong.)
Most people in Hong Kong understand and communicate in English – so try to explore the city on your own instead of joining a group tour. This way, you’ll have an opportunity to interact with the locals (who love visitors and may end up becoming your new friend!).
Mindful travel advice: You’ll notice that in Hong Kong, although we stand close to each other while talking, body contact should be avoided when you first meet someone. I also suggest that you do not point your index finger at someone, as it is considered rude, as it is in other countries around the world.
Common greeting in Hong Kong: Neih hou, (pronounced “nay hoe”), is Cantonese and means “How are you?”
Edrea, Alaska Airlines Technical Product Owner in Seattle
I am a Nisei, or second-generation Japanese American. What I love most about Japan is its unique diversity and distinctive culture – deeply rooted in traditions and blended with the latest innovations – Japan leaves you enchanted and wanting more.
Whether you’re a foodie, a trendsetter or eager to experience Japan’s pursuit of perfection through its beautiful traditions, there is something for everyone! From the moment you step off the plane, you will experience the art of omotenashi, or genuine hospitality and exceptional service that anticipates your every need. Immerse yourself in the rich culture by taking advantage of the JR Rail Pass to explore Japan at your own pace by train, or if you prefer flying, our oneworld partner Japan Airlines can connect you anywhere between Okinawa and Sapporo (and even Tokyo Disney!). Don’t forget to grab an ekiben (railway bento) to enjoy on the train!
Travel advice: When traveling around Japan, it’s super important to be mindful of others and don’t litter or talk loudly on the train. Tipping is not necessary and avoid standing your chopsticks in your food (it’s considered bad luck!).
Common greeting in Japan: Konnichiwa (pronounced “koh knee chi wah), is Japanese and typically means “hello” during a mid-day to early evening greeting.
Pacific Islands
Some Pacific Islands are open to travel, which is good news for people eager to find a vacation spot this summer, but don’t assume that everything is back to normal everywhere you go.
For example, the beautiful islands of French Polynesia, which include popular beach getaways like Tahiti and Bora Bora, reopened its borders to travelers arriving from the United States on May 1 who have been in the U.S. for at least 30 days prior to departure — but islands of Tahiti still have curfews in place until June 1.
Pacific Islanders may include persons having origins in any of the original people of Oceania’s three major sub-regions of Polynesia, Melanesia or Micronesia, including, but not limited to: Hawaii, Samoa, Guam, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
I was born and raised in Samoa – one of the main Samoan islands recognized as a United States territory, separate from the Independent Nation of Samoa. However, all of the Samoan archipelago is a tropical paradise.
Travel tip: A popular place to visit is the island of Aunu’u; it’s one of the smaller islands off the southeastern shore of Tutuila, American Samoa. There, I’d recommend visiting the marketplace where there’s all kinds of fresh fruits, local foods and souvenirs.
Mindful travel advice: Samoan culture is all about respect. When it comes to villages, there may be some restrictions; please be mindful of your behavior as local villages may be run by chiefs. Also, Samoans are modest people; I’d recommend covering up if you’re outside of a resort.
Common greeting in Samoa: Talofa, (pronounced “tah-low-fuh”), means ‘hello’, sometimes extended to ‘talofa lava’, which means ‘hello to you.’
Marie Laureano, Seattle Supervisor of Passenger Record Support
I grew up in Dededo, the second largest most populated villages in Guam. What I love most about Chamorro culture (indigenous people of the Mariana Islands including Guam) is the people. The feeling of warmth is everywhere – you are always welcome into someone’s home.
Travel tip: Head south, away from Tumon (the center of tourism activity), to try some mom-and-pop shops like: Buenas Market in Yona known for their many pickled foods or Chode’s Mart in Hagatna for titiyas (Chamorro tortillas). For hiking, I’d recommend Marbo Cave in Mangilao for the inside cave you can swim through, and Thousand Steps trail in Mangilao for a beautiful water view when you reach the bottom.
Mindful travel advice: Because hospitality is so embedded into the culture, wouldn’t suggest turning down food. Don’t be shy – eat as much as you want, and don’t hesitate to take food home if offered.
Common greeting in Guam: Hafa adai, (pronounced as “half a day”), which means hi or hello.
The history behind “AAPI”
What does AAPI mean and where did it come from? There are countless distinctions within AAPI communities, starting with geographical differences. The illustration below gives a general idea where Asian and Pacific Islander origins may stem.
This map is a general geographic illustration of Asia and the Pacific Islands and what they include. It is not intended to represent the intricacies pertaining to countries, geopolitics, regions, borders, cultures or otherwise.
The catch-all term was initially created in the 1980s by the United States Census Bureau as a category for race when surveying population (deemed “Asian Pacific Islander,” or API.) Later in the 90s, the need to recognize the significant cultural and geographic differences between Asian from Pacific Islander then resulted in separating the two as racial categories, now recognized as “Asian” or “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.” However, the old term ‘API’ stuck; today, this term has inadvertently embedded itself into the United States, often referred to as Asian Pacific Islander (API) or Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI).
Whether or not you’re planning to travel to Asia or the Pacific Islands (although we hope you do!), we invite you to take a moment not just this month, but year-round to better understand the term AAPI, what it includes, acknowledging the differences between groups and how to appreciate them individually.
This probably hits home right about now: You’re itching to take-off somewhere. Once you get to the airport, how does a shorter wait in security sound?
Save time while traveling with SEA Spot Saver, a new pilot program for TSA line reservations. Learn more.
If you’re flying out of Seattle, Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle are testing a new way to get you through the general screening security checkpoint faster called SEA Spot Saver.
Alaska guests can sign up online for an appointment and then get a designated time on their day of departure to pass through an expedited security screening at Checkpoint 5, which is right behind the Alaska ticket counters. Securing a slot is free and no membership is required.
You’ll get a 15-minute window of time (say 8-8:15 a.m.) to make your way through security. Appointment slots are issued every day between 4 a.m. to noon Pacific Time – when the airport is busiest – now through the end of August. Your entire family can be listed on your reservation to get through security together.
“These are the innovations and ideas that we love to make our guest experiences more convenient and stress-free, especially as more people get back to flying again,” said Charu Jain, Alaska’s senior vice president of merchandising and innovation. “With very little effort, guests can lean on technology to get them through the security process quicker.”
The program’s primary goal is to regulate passenger flow in security areas that can often become congested and improve physical distancing between travelers.
How it works
Alaska guests can register for an appointment up to 24 hours before their scheduled departure:
Book a spot online with your date of travel, destination, flight number and how many are traveling in your party.
You’ll receive an email with a QR code that you’ll use when you arrive at your scheduled time.
Enter Checkpoint 5 during your designated 15-minute window.
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.
Save time now! The pilot program is scheduled to end on Aug. 31, 2021.
SEA Spot Saver is available only to general screening passengers who are not part of a trusted traveler program – that’s to help provide a better screening experience and create efficiency where demand is the highest. TSA PreCheck passengers will continue to be screened at Checkpoint 4 in order use their PreCheck benefits, such as not having to remove their shoes and electronics. CLEAR customers should still use their dedicated lanes at each security checkpoint.
“We can use technology to make the travel experience more streamlined and intuitive,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho. “Touchless solutions reduce stress for those traveling today but are the kind of innovations that will make the airport safer and more efficient for years to come.”
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. Here are some options:
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.
Boxed Water is helping Alaska Airlines reduce plastic waste onboard
When it comes to recycling and sustainability, we mean business. We’ve set goals to reduce our carbon emissions to net-zero by 2040, as well as efficiency, waste and water goals for 2025, and are always looking for ways to offset our footprint.
For over two years, we’ve reduced waste on board by shifting to more sustainable practices and service items such as ditching straws in our lounges and on aircraft, using cans instead of plastic bottles and reducing packaging where we can.
Today, we’re excited to partner with Boxed Water to begin to replace single-use plastic bottles in First Class, as well in the main cabin on our Q400 aircraft, with Boxed Water’s 92% plant-based cartons. This will effectively remove 7.2 million plastic bottles from landfills per year — that’s equivalent to approximately 98,000 lbs of plastic. Earlier this year, we introduced Boxed Water on Alaska’s Horizon Air operated flights and will expand the program to all Alaska flights this summer.
Boxed Water is exactly what it suggests: a fully recyclable box-shaped carton of water, sealed with a plant-based cap. Each carton is made from sustainably harvested trees and the multi-filtered water goes through a proprietary eight-step purification – giving it a clean, crisp taste.
Alaska and Horizon employees are also excited to re-launch our industry-leading inflight recycling program on May 19.
Beyond our common goal of moving to non-plastic alternatives, both Boxed Water and Alaska partner with the National Forest Foundation (NFF). Boxed Water has planted 1.2 million trees with the organization and Alaska guests supporting their mission through donating Mileage Plan miles in our LIFT Miles program. Alaska also encourages our guests to bring their own refillable water bottle, and if each time a guest tags Alaska and #FillBeforeYouFly with a photo of their refillable, we’ll plant a tree in partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to strengthen local habitats.
Our sustainable journey
In 2007, several environmentally conscious Alaska and Horizon employees formed the “Green Team,” a business resource group dedicated to improving the environment through increased in-flight recycling and trash sorting programs and other environmental initiatives. The group was the first of its kind in the airline industry and their efforts have significantly decreased the amount of waste per guest that ends up in landfills. Green Team members were also involved in the selection process for Boxed Water.
“When researching alternatives to plastic water bottles, the Green Team considered a variety of factors on overall environmental impact such as water sourcing, packaging materials, recyclability, and shipping distance,” said Robbie Neff, Green Team member and pricing team lead at Alaska. “Boxed Water scored better than the other options of glass bottles and aluminum cans.”
In 2019, we encouraged guests to join our efforts by bringing a reusable water bottle when they travel and #FillBeforeYouFly, as part of an initiative to completely avoid using single-use plastics.
“Is there anything cuter than a mini box of water? I think not!” @courtney.mones via Instagram
While we know our greatest impact is reducing carbon emissions, every decision we make, including how we source the products we serve onboard is critically important. Alaska is committed to working with forward-thinking companies like Boxed Water that are focused on sustainability, both in their finished products and operations.
“We admire Boxed Water’s leadership to change manufacturing, production, conversation and consumer choice to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly future,” said Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products for Alaska Airlines. “We hope that when our guests are enjoying Boxed Water they are interested in learning more about eco-friendly products and, ideally, are inspired to make sustainable choices when they travel and on the ground.”
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