When the COVID-19 pandemic decimated travel demand, resulting in drastic flight reductions, we knew how important it would be for Hawaiian Airlines to maintain our neighbor island network to support Hawai‘i’s healthcare workers and first responders.

Preserving this connectivity has been essential for the Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH), which depends on our interisland flights to timely transport blood supplies across the state. Every other week, as much as 18 percent of the state’s blood supply comes to O‘ahu from the neighbor islands.

Like many organizations, BBH’s operations have been disrupted by the pandemic, and Justin Martin, its marketing manager, tells us the group has adapted by including social distancing at its collection sites, requiring donors to schedule appointments, mandating face coverings and temporarily suspending certain blood drives.

Hawai'i Lt. Gov Josh Green with Blood Bank of Hawaii President and CEO Kim-Anh Nguyen during his convalescent plasma program (CCP) donation at the Dillingham Donor Center.

While donating blood is the best way we can all ensure the BBH has enough supply to meet demand, our HawaiianMiles members can contribute by gifting their miles.  BBH is one of 14 partner organizations in our HawaiianMiles Charity Program that are benefiting from our Giving Tuesday miles promotion.

For every mile donated on Dec. 1, Hawaiian will match up to 100,000 HawaiianMiles to each recipient organization – on top of 500,000 miles, we pledge to match annually.
 

We recently spoke with Martin to learn about how BBH has been persevering through the challenges of the pandemic.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the work and operations of the Blood Bank of Hawaii?

Almost every aspect of our work has been impacted – from operations, including the logistics of keeping our blood supply products moving to and from each neighbor island hospital – to hospital and donor facing services. We became more communicative, cohesive and transparent as an organization due to the tremendous challenges we faced. It was important that our staff, hospitals and donors were all aware of the changes we were going through, and we really pulled together to make it through this year.

We’re proud of the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma program (CCP) that we launched in April. It gives us the opportunity to collect plasma from recovered patients and offer it to hospitals, who have ordered more than 1,000 doses for Hawai‘i’s patients.

Unfortunately, our collections took a hit because mobile operations hosted by private organizations including schools, churches and businesses, not to mention government agencies, contributed to 70 percent of our total blood collection. For example, high school student drives, which were also canceled, comprised approximately 12 percent of all donations statewide. Travel restrictions to the neighbor islands further constricted our collection system to a few donor sites on O‘ahu. Only recently we’ve been able to expand to host one neighbor island drive a month.

For several months, we had to rely exclusively on O‘ahu donors to supply enough blood, plasma and platelets for our entire state. We are so thankful for the incredible support of our donors who came out despite the pandemic; and incredible community partners including Walmart Kapolei, Adventist Health Castle, Kāne‘ohe Shopping Center and Waikele Center, all of whom have allowed our bloodmobiles to operate on their sites.

How have you adapted and modified how you provide services such as blood drives?

As we continued to learn about COVID-19, Blood Bank of Hawaii also continued to evolve and adapt, making several changes to typical day-to-day operations in order to meet the strictest public health and safety guidelines. First, we proactively canceled all blood drives sponsored by private organizations. We also reconfigured each donor center and bloodmobile by removing or reorganizing furnishings to maintain safe social distancing. New sanitation and cleaning protocols have been implemented, as well as staff policies related to health and safety.

In order to donate, donors must be healthy and will be pre-screened upon arrival. For donors, one adjustment has been that our registration policy changed from accepting walk-in appointments (based upon availability) to now requiring an appointment in advance. Of course, masks or face coverings are required by everyone, and staff wear extra personal protective equipment.

As we’ve begun returning to the neighbor islands, we are extra vigilant to help mitigate any potential for community spread. All traveling staff must be cleared with a COVID-19 test prior to departure and they have additional safety and health procedures to follow throughout their trip. Those procedures have been shared and approved by each neighbor island county mayor.

Blood Bank of Hawaii President and CEO Kim-Anh Nguyen with her staff celebrating World Blood Donor Day at the Young Street Donor Center.

What is the biggest challenge facing the Blood Bank today?

The biggest challenge we face today is the continued constriction of our normal blood collection operations due to COVID-19. This has meant that during some days and weeks, we have operated at minimum supply levels. It’s not sustainable for the long term or if we were to face an increasing demand from our local hospitals, a significant incident or weather event that resulted in a large number of emergency room or trauma needs.

We hope that as O‘ahu residents especially feel more comfortable that we do provide a safe and sanitary donation experience, they will come forward in greater numbers, knowing the ongoing need that our state has for their voluntary act of generosity.

How can the community support your efforts especially at this time?

Essentially, our primary need is and always has been sufficient local residents rolling up their sleeves to donate blood, platelets and plasma, including CCP. It takes 150 to 200 donors a day to comfortably meet statewide demand – that means having at least one week’s supply of all blood types at any one time. It also takes a diverse community of donors to make that possible. We also need donors with all blood types, from the most common to the rarest, because successful blood transfusion procedures are dependent on matching blood type between the donor and the recipient.

If you can’t donate blood for any reason, donating HawaiianMiles is a great way to contribute to our mission. Our neighbor island blood drives are integral to maintaining our state’s diverse inventory of blood types and we have donors on every island.  

How have/will you be utilizing the miles?

The HawaiianMiles will be used by our teams to go to each of the neighbor islands to collect blood at monthly blood drives. When it is safe to attend in-person meetings and conferences again, BBH staff will also use the miles for professional development, training that’s only available outside Hawai‘i and/or collaboration with other blood banks across the country at national or regional industry conferences and events.

Each year, BBH hosted an annual high school workshop for high school Lifesaver Clubs. We hope we can resume this event in 2021 and would like to award travel scholarships for neighbor island faculty advisers and students who would like to attend our O‘ahu workshop. We may also use the miles for events or trips associated with donor appreciation events or community awareness initiatives. We are cautiously optimistic that 2021 will enable us to do much more travel on Hawaiian Airlines that will help us to fulfill our statewide mission.

From tropical forests and black sand beaches to fields of lava rock and active volcanoes, the Island of Hawai‘i runs the gamut in outdoor wonder. Known as the Big Island, this destination offers more than 4,000 square miles of endless opportunities to experience Hawai‘i in its most authentic form. No matter what your interests are, from exploring trails to walking the beaches or just taking a sightseeing drive, there’s a safe activity for all who are traveling responsibly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experience a Hotel with Nature, Adventure and Relaxation

If a hotel with incredible views and superior outdoor experiences is on your wish list, consider the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. On the island’s Kona Coast, the resort, surrounded by lush green forests and volcanic rock, sits directly on the edge of the historic Keauhou Bay, where you can snorkel with manta rays at night. The hotel’s expansive property evokes a relaxing feeling that speaks to the beauty of the island, with panoramic views and plenty of opportunities to learn about its rich history with cultural tours and activities such as hula lessons. 

Guests will find helpful reminders to wear face coverings while wandering the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay property.

"On behalf of the Sheraton Kona ‘ohana, we would like to express our appreciation to our community, our partners, our customers and clients for their support,” said Paul Evasick, general manager of Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.

Check-in is still a breeze at Sheraton Kona, but masks are required and a plexiglass shield protects both guests and employees.

“The wellbeing of our guests and associates is our priority as we adhere to Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean, with enhanced health and cleaning protocols. These include signage throughout the resort to remind guests to maintain social distancing plus sanitizing stations with masks, hand sanitizer and gloves. We have limited elevator capacity, occupancy limits and installed partitions at front desks and require face coverings by employees and guests in accordance with state and local guidelines. We look forward to the return of our visitors when they are ready to travel, so they may experience the spirit of Aloha," Evasick added. More information on what guests can expect when visiting the resort can be found here.

Renting a car? Plan to explore nearby attractions, including Kona coffee farms, Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Explore One of Hawai‘i’s Pristine National Parks

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one of the state’s two major national parks and home to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes. Visitors can explore the park’s over 123,000 acres of designated wilderness, which includes plenty of day hikes, far-off cabins for more experienced trekkers, and a scenic drive around the summit of Kīlauea.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at night

Travelers should plan their trip before exploring the park and brief themselves on its cultural significance. While most of the park is open to visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, some services may be restricted. All visitors are required to follow strict health and safety protocols, including wearing a mask when distancing is difficult, practicing social distancing, not visiting while sick, and more.

The view from one of the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's scenic points.

“Services are limited, and visitors should bring everything they might need for a safe visit including water, meals, and hand sanitizer. Above all, visitors should pack their patience, avoid crowds, and have alternate destinations planned should parking lots be full,” said Rhonda Loh, acting superintendent of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Adventure Responsibly, No Matter Where You Go

The Island of Hawai‘i is a treasure trove of spectacular outdoor destinations, including Rainbow Falls, Pōlolu Valley, ‘Akaka Falls and more. We recommend visiting GoHawaii.com to learn about each place and their cultural history. Please also reference the Hawai‘i County website for the latest COVID-19 requirements and protocols before visiting the island. 

Rainbow Falls is a remarkable, must-see destination for visitors to Hilo.

As always, mahalo for traveling pono (responsibly)!

In June 2017, some 50,000 Hawai‘i residents and visitors gathered at O‘ahu’s Magic Island, as well as offshore on surfboards, kayaks and boats, to greet the voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a, whose crew had sailed 42,000 nautical miles over four years to “weave a lei of hope” around the world.

The Mālama Honua (to care for our Earth) Worldwide Voyage sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines was an exceptional feat by brave and skilled crewmembers who sailed using only Polynesian wayfinding techniques. But the voyage could not have succeeded without the kōkua of passionate volunteers with the nonprofit The Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa.

The Friends was established in 1996 by master canoe builder, Wright Bowman Jr., who was concerned that the art of canoe building would be lost. By building, maintaining, and restoring canoes, the Friends hope to improve understanding and appreciation for this unique Hawaiian heritage, not only for Hawaiians but for anyone interested in learning.

Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School students learning the ropes as part of a program of the Kanehunamoku Voyaging Academy.

We recently talked story with the Friends, one of 14 local nonprofit partners of our HawaiianMiles Charity Program, whose operations have also been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.​ In preparation for Giving Tuesday, we are highlighting our hardworking charities and inviting our HawaiianMiles members to join us in supporting them in a special promotion.

For every mile donated on Dec. 1, we will match up to 100,000 HawaiianMiles to each recipient organization – on top of 500,000 miles we pledge to match annually.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the work and operations of the Friends?

Like most if not all of the population here in Hawai’i, the impact has been moderate to severe. Moderate in that our volunteers have not been infected (to date) by the virus because they adhere to the safe practices that all of our citizenries have been asked to abide by. But also severe in that because of those very practices, and the protocols put in place by our state (for our own safety), we are for the most part unable to access the canoes within our care. It is not the fault of anyone – it is a result of a virus that has changed the way we must think, act and respond.

Funding, too, is an obvious victim of the pandemic. Corporations, as well as charity-minded individuals, have suffered economically. They must choose between what keeps their companies and/or family afloat and/or give to well-meaning organizations to which they have supported for years. To those who have given us that support over the years, please know that we are most grateful.

What are some projects currently underway to support the Friends’ mission?

We have multiple projects underway simultaneously, both big and small.

Our largest is the voyaging canoe Hawai‘iloa, a 58-foot sailing canoe built entirely out of natural materials, including two hollowed-out logs, a gift of native Alaskans, which serves as its hulls. Launched in 1993, Hawai’iloa was a project of both the Bishop Museum and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and was the second vessel to be built and sailed to Tahiti and back in the traditional manner of Hawai’i’s ancient voyagers. Owned by the Bishop Museum, the Friends accepted responsibility for the maintenance, upkeep, and care of this living cultural artifact upon completion of its maiden voyages.  

Volunteers Moana and Keoe varnishing the mast, boom and spar of Hawai'iloa.

Our smaller projects consist of a collection of outrigger canoes ranging in size from 12 to 40 feet in length. Many of these canoes are over a century old – the centerpiece being a canoe once belonging to Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole. The smaller size of the outriggers allows us to share canoe building skills and traditions with those interested in the craft. More importantly, within the educational system, we have had charter school students take part in the refurbishing of very old and worn canoes, and make them new again. The idea then is to keep these traditions alive, lest they be lost.

What is the biggest challenge the Friends are facing today?

Interestingly enough, the challenges we face are the same as what we all are facing. The latest is the ongoing pandemic. Not being allowed as such to access the vessels and projects because of COVID protocols. “Cluster” is the new moniker for the work crew. Fundraising events canceled, and it goes on. But perhaps it was inevitable because our environment has been suffering the same for years.

In our search for replacement materials for our projects, we face the difficult decision as to whether we can replace old parts of the voyaging canoe Hawai’iloa, which are made of ‘ohia, for fear of spreading rapid ʻōhiʻa death. Or, parts made of koa because of diseases as rust and wood-rotting fungi.

Fundraising has of course suffered accordingly due to the pandemic. Annual events to raise monies have all but been canceled, and a plethora of fundraisers compete daily within a virtual landscape.

How can the community support the efforts of the Friends?

Your miles, should you decide to donate to the Friends of Hokule’a and Hawai’iloa, will allow us to travel interisland to search for environmentally safe materials for canoe building, maintenance, and repair. It will also allow for outreach into our communities and schools to share in the traditions of our ancestors.

We are also planning to take Hawai’iloa to Alaska as an expression of gratitude for their gift of the Sitka Spruce logs used for the making of the hulls. Donated miles would let us switch out our crews at selected ports of call so as to not have them away from their family and jobs for an extended period of time.

However, mindful support would be in the form of taking action to care for yourself and come to a deeper understanding of the changes in our lives brought on by COVID. Apply it then, to you, your family, and your community, and relate it to our environment, which has suffered the same fate for years as a result of viruses and disease. The fate of one tree, one forest, one island, and one Earth is in our hands.

The Holoholo Challenge, Hawaiian’s first month-long virtual fitness challenge, was created to enable our guests to connect at a time when it is so deeply craved amid isolation and uncertainty. What started as a fun way for Hawai‘i lovers across the country to stay fit during a global pandemic resulted in an outpouring of support for not only fellow challengers but also Hawai‘i’s most determined athletes. At the beginning of October, nearly 12,000 participants decided to embark on a physical test that would have them holoholo (to go out) and run or walk a 50- or 130-mile “course” while practicing safe social distancing. By Nov. 1, that group collectively clocked in approximately 852,700 miles, or the equivalent of walking the Oʻahu perimeter more than 6,500 times, and raised over $68,000 for Hawaiian’s nonprofit partner, Special Olympics Hawai‘i.

Participants collectively clocked in approximately 852,700 miles, or the equivalent of walking the Oʻahu perimeter more than 6,500 times.

“When we decided to create this virtual fitness challenge, we had no idea at how engaged and supportive the participants would be,” said Rob Sorensen, Hawaiian’s vice president of marketing and e-commerce, and competitive runner. “I’m so inspired by everyone that stepped out and stepped up to donate to benefit the incredibly deserving Special Olympics athletes.”

Our decision to support Special Olympics Hawai‘i was a natural one. Hawaiian has partnered with the organization for over 30 years to transport athletes to competitions within Hawai‘i as well as the U.S. mainland.

Debbie Nakanelua-Richards presents Dan Epstein and Renee Manfredi of Special Olympics Hawaii with a check for $68K, donated by participants of the Holoholo Challenge .

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Hawaiian Airlines,” said Dan Epstein, president and CEO of Special Olympics Hawai‘i. “We’ve had athletes traveling from the neighbor islands to O‘ahu for years to participate in our state games and to the mainland to participate in national competitions, almost always working with Hawaiian Airlines, so this is just an extension of that. It’s been just fantastic to work with Hawaiian Airlines, and we’re truly grateful.”

“Special Olympics Hawaii does incredible work and it’s our privilege to be affiliated with them,” shared Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines. “When we thought about who we could serve with this opportunity, it was an instantaneous decision. What they do for the athletes and the spirit of competition is in perfect alignment with the idea of holoholo. To be able to have them as a partner and the recipients of over $68,000 is an incredible display of generosity, and with that generosity comes hope in this time of uncertainty.”

In addition to the donation raised by participants, we sponsored 20 Special Olympics Hawaii athletes and coaches who took part in the challenge.

Renee Manfredi, athlete, sargeant shriver international global messenger and Special Olympics health messenger, was excited to compete with participants across the country at a time when other events have been canceled or postponed.

Renee Manfredi flashes a shaka as she earns her mileage around Oʻahu.

“This has been an amazing opportunity for everybody and hopefully we get to do it again face to face when this pandemic is over,” said Manfredi. “I’m so grateful to Hawaiian Airlines because not only did they come up with the idea, they supported and raised money for athletes such as myself with IDD [intellectual or developmental disabilities], and it’s very beneficial since everything that we do or try to do has been put on hold. Special Olympics Hawai‘i has gone above and beyond to ensure the athletes stay engaged and active. And with events such as this, it’s an opportunity for everybody, not just here on the islands but on the mainland too to get involved.”

Participants took to the official Holoholo Challenge Facebook Group page to share stories of their progress and offer words of encouragement throughout the event. Many have kept the conversation going by sharing links to new virtual races and showing off their finisher medals.

“Thank you, Hawaiian Airlines, for a wonderful experience. This was my first marathon and I walked much further than I ever thought I could! I am 78 (almost 79) and I walked a total of 232 miles. A month ago, I would have said that was not impossible,” beamed one Holoholo Challenge participant.  

Congratulations to all the participants of the Holoholo Challenge, mahalo for your generosity and support of Special Olympics Hawaii!

The Island of Hawai‘i’s rich volcanic soil, climate diversity and ample sunshine make it the perfect place for vegetable, tropical fruit, and specialty crops, like cacao and coffee, to thrive. While staying on the Big Island, take time to visit, support and learn from its many skilled artisans, hardworking growers and groundbreaking tastemakers.

Honey 101 From the Bee Experts

Big Island Bees started as a small family-owned operation and has grown into one of the biggest honey producers in the state. Hand-poured in South Kona, its organic honey boasts flavor profiles rooted in the island’s tropical flower varieties. Visit the honey maker’s headquarters, which encompasses a museum, store and tasting room, and take a tour with a beekeeping expert to learn about its history and process.

Beekeepers at Big Island Bees give tour participants an immersive experience with explaining the honey-making process.

Whendi Grad, the owner of Big Island Bees, said the company adjusted operations to safely welcome customers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and local government restrictions. To keep employees and visitors safe, her team has implemented several health and safety procedures at every service touchpoint. “Our store currently offers curbside pickup for phone and online honey orders, and our tour and museum operations have re-opened with reduced capacity. We also frequently clean all common surfaces, offer hand sanitizer throughout our store and museum, and require masks to be worn at all times,” Grad said.

Have some time to spare? You can sample a selection of Hawaiian floral honey with guidance from Big Island Bees' honey experts.

“During the time that our island shut down, we were so grateful for the support of the community that continued to stop by to pick up honey at our farm and who brought their keiki down for a tour. We are now very excited to be welcoming back visitors as well and will do so in a caring environment that protects all of us,” she added.

Big Island Bees' museum is free and open to the public, though masks are required to be worn by staff and visitors at all times.

Reservations are required for beekeeping tours and honey tastings, but the museum is open with free admission. For more information, including Big Island Bee’s latest COVID-19 policies and procedures, click here.

Experience Hawaiian Coffees Made by Local Connoisseurs 

Coffee lovers rejoice on the Big Island, where trees grow both wild and farmed. At Big Island Coffee Roasters, producing the perfect cup of coffee is a practice – but mastering the art form wasn’t an easy feat.

The company took root in 2010, when its two founders, Kelleigh Stewart and Brandon von Damitz, stumbled upon an online advertisement listing a small coffee farm for sale in Puna, a district south of Hilo. The duo purchased the farm, with no experience growing coffee, and spent years learning how to cultivate one of modern Hawai‘i’s most prized specialty crops. After years of teaching themselves how to farm, roast, and process locally grown coffee, they perfected their first batches and earned Grand Champion in the Hawaii Coffee Association’s Statewide Cupping Competition.

Love a good cup of coffee and want to support as many local businesses as possible? Big Island Coffee Roasters is sold and served at local cafes throughout the state.

Big Island Coffee Roasters is still based on the original Puna farm, and now roasts some of Hawai‘i’s finest regional varieties, including Kona, Kaʻū, Puna, and Maui. Their teams do it all, from tending to the trees and hand-picking the coffee cherries (which produce the beans), to milling the beans in small batches and roasting them to order.

Big Island Coffee Roasters' loyal customers and Hawaiian Coffee Club members can request a tour of its facility to learn more about what it takes to produce an artisanal coffee.

“When COVID hit, most of our larger customers that serve roasted Hawaiian coffee shut down. It was difficult for everyone. But fortunately, Hawaiʻi coffee lovers found our online store and we've been able to recover and continue hiring,” Stewart said. “We're so grateful to those who have supported us by ordering online – artisan agriculture survives thanks to them.”

Owners Brandon and Kelleigh pictured with one of the company's newest gift sets, available for purchase on its website.

Interested in supporting Big Island Coffee Roasters? Currently, customers can purchase beans and learn how to make the perfect cup via its website, or visit one of many local cafes brewing and selling their coffees.

Invest Your Dollars in Local Farmers, Florists and Businesses

Downtown Hilo is home to the Hilo Farmers’ Market, a popular destination for both hungry kama‘āina and visitors. The market is open every day (hours may vary) and has copious fruits, vegetables, and flowers grown by local farmers. Ready-made meals and drinks are also available for grab-and-go, and the market is within walking distance of several shops and restaurants.

“Hilo Farmers’ Market has been in the heart of downtown Hilo for as long as I can remember,” said ‘Iwalani Kaho‘ohanohano, senior specialist of internal communications at Hawaiian Airlines who was raised in Hilo. “Growing up, I’d go there with my mom to pick up fresh vegetables for a dish she’d make for dinner, or flowers to make arrangements to take up the road to our family graves.”

Hilo Farmers' Market has a bountiful supply of locally grown fruits, vegetables and flowers, and is the perfect place to stock up on groceries or grab a few fresh snacks to go.

Downtown Hilo, she believes, is a special business community. “It’s home to a mix of longtime and new shops that continue to make Hilo the friendly town it has always been. Each purchase is more than a transaction; it’s a show of support for the town’s entrepreneurs and the life, culture and stories they share.”

When walking the farmers market or downtown Hilo, remember that masks are required at all times. We also suggest that patrons bring cash, reusable bags, and hand sanitizer for their shopping.