Businesses of all types and sizes have experienced tremendous adversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, imagine facing unprecedented economic and public health challenges while relying solely on volunteers, contributions and grants – even as demand for your services increases.

Hawai‘i charities are confronting mounting obstacles to care for our most vulnerable neighbors and protect our cherished natural and cultural resources.

At Hawaiian Airlines, we are extremely grateful to our 14 local nonprofit partners for their selfless work to improve our communities during a time of incredible hardship. This year, our HawaiianMiles Charity Program will once again participate in Giving Tuesday, held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. For every mile donated on Dec. 1 by our valued loyal members, we will match up to 100,000 HawaiianMiles to each recipient organization – on top of 500,000 miles we pledge to match annually.

Leading up to Giving Tuesday, Mana‘o will showcase four local charities – starting today with Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i – whose missions align with Hawaiian’s giving pillars of culture, education, environment, and health and human services. We encourage our members to join our campaign – and help us surpass the 35 million Hawaiian Miles donated in 2019.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i supports children ages 6-16 years old who have faced adversity in their young lives and experienced the loss of a valuable connection. Its youth-centered program helps children create goals that mentors can help them achieve. Each child and mentor is connected with a staffer who provides ongoing coaching for the youth, training for the volunteer and resources for the family.

Dennis Brown, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i, spoke to us about how his team has adjusted during the pandemic.

Dennis Brown, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i, pictured during a talk story (conversation) at our Honolulu headquarters.

How has the COVID – 19 pandemic impacted the work and operations at Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i?

First, as with most companies and organizations, for safety reasons we’ve had to switch to remote interactions both for our employees and our Big Brother/Sister Little Brother/Sister matches. We actually gave up our larger office location and now have a very small office where just a handful of staffers work daily. The rest of us telecommute and occasionally go to the office to sign documents, pick-up supplies, use office equipment and the like.

Have you had to adapt and modify how you deliver services?

Yes, and it was a big concern at first. Our one-to-one youth mentoring model is based on the Bigs and Littles getting together on a consistent basis and is most effective when they can meet in-person and enjoy activities together. During shutdown periods, we limited them to only meet virtually via texting, phone calls, face time, Zoom, email and even snail-mailed postcards and letters. An unexpected silver lining to this change was that each pair met even more often than they used to when it was all in-person. In addition, we expanded our services during this time to deliver groceries, prepared meals and household goods to many of our families as well.

Photo credit: Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i

Little brother Max spending time with big brother Joko. Connecting youth with mentors is an important mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i.

What have been the most pressing areas of need and how can people seek your assistance?

Our mission is to help children who face adversity in their lives, such as missing one or both parents, living in a near-poverty situation or having experienced serious trauma, by connecting them with a responsible and caring adult mentor who is supported by our professional staff. The COVID-19 pandemic has created urgent needs among the families we serve who need our support more than ever. We encourage people to reach out to us if they have a child who can benefit from a one-to-one relationship with a caring, responsible adult by calling us at (808) 521-3811, or visiting us at www.bbbshawaii.org to schedule an appointment to speak with someone.

What is the biggest challenge your organization is facing?

Finding creative and effective ways to raise funds in an environment that don’t allow us to hold our special event fundraisers in large in-person gatherings as we used to do. We’ve lost $300,000 in net revenue for 2020 due to not being able to hold our usual gala dinner, golf tournament and bowling events.

How can the community support the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i?

As always, we can use more volunteers to be Big Sisters and Brothers, though we’ve happily seen some increase in people inquiring to volunteer. Also, being a multi-island service provider, the HawaiianMiles are a huge benefit to us in being able to travel between islands for staff training and meetings. So, we’re grateful to those who can donate miles to us through that program as well.

A destination that has it all, from great food to exceptional coastlines and sunsets, Maui is an unparalleled vacation spot for celebrating romantic occasions or a simple getaway. Travelers visiting the Valley Isle during the COVID-19 pandemic can continue to make lifetime memories discovering its outdoor attractions safely and sustainably. 

Starting Your Getaway at Your Hotel

Maui has several top-notch hotels that offer an array of experiences for travelers of all ages and types. Looking for a mix of adventure and intimacy during your stay? At the Sheraton Maui Spa and Resort, one of our hotel partners where guests can earn HawaiianMiles and enjoy special deals, its location and amenities complement the island’s natural beauty. The 23-acre resort sits at the end of the famous Ka‘anapali Beach with mauka (mountainward)-to-makai (oceanward) views property-wide, beachfront dining options, a relaxing spa, top-of-the-line snorkeling, cultural activities and more. 

Sheraton Maui Spa and Resort makes it easy for guests to maintain personal health and safety while seamlessly checking in for their vacation.

Tetsuji Yamazaki, the hotel’s general manager, explained how his staff carries out their pledge to health and safety throughout the guest experience:

“At the Sheraton Maui, we are adhering to Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean – our elevated health and safety protocols. With health and safety a top priority for us, our Commitment to Clean includes many standards such as reduced capacity in elevators, frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, with a special focus on high-touch areas like elevator buttons and handrails,” Yamazaki said. “Also, there are hand-sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas and signage to remind guests to maintain social distancing. In our lobby and other public spaces, we have installed plexiglass partitions at the check-in bays and bell desks, for example. In addition, we have made numerous operational adjustments…and of course, face coverings are required by everyone throughout the hotel – both employees and guests."

Social distancing markers like these are placed throughout the property at Sheraton Maui Spa and Resort.

Preparing for your Adventure

Though we love relaxing on the beach, we recommend renting a car to experience Maui’s natural beauty, postcard-worthy spots and small towns. If that's the route you go, our car rental partners like AVIS have adopted stringent health and safety protocols to keep drivers safe as they adventure the island. (Please visit your selected rental car company’s website for the latest COVID-19 protocols and updates.)

Taking a day to explore Maui's small, quaint towns, like Pa'ia, is easy to do with a rental car. Be sure to wear your mask when you exit the car and explore local shops.

While sightseeing, we ask all of our guests to recognize their kuleana (responsibility) in respecting the ‘āina (land) and kai (ocean), the people, and the culture of Maui. This means always wearing a mask in public and the presence of others, especially when social distancing may be difficult, reducing your use of single-use plastics, picking up your ‘ōpala (trash), and observing safety and educational signs at all sites. These best practices help us protect and preserve the many wonders of the Hawaiian Islands. Please familiarize yourself with and follow Maui County’s latest COVID-19 protocols.

Diving into Maui’s Oceans

Those with strong sea legs can venture beyond their hotel's shoreline and experience Maui’s tropical waters. Various ports house a variety of eco-tour businesses worth exploring, including PacWhale Eco-Adventures, the commercial subsidiary of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation. One of our employee's favorites, the company offers opportunities to see wild marine life from a safe and respectable distance, and tours, from sunset sails to snorkel adventures, that engage guests in its conservation initiatives. 

Whale season on Maui (November-May) is like a dream come true for ocean lovers. Tour companies like PacWhale Eco-Adventures continue to give its guests memorable, educational experiences on the ocean while also ensuring they're protected throughout their trip.

To keep tour participants safe, the company's protocols include staggered boarding, temperature checks upon check-in, a mask requirement, reduced onboard capacity to maintain safe distancing, and more. All profits raised from its tours fund critical research, educational programs and initiatives to conserve Maui’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems.

Exploring the National and State Parks

Plan to wake up early at least one day and drive up to Haleakalā National Park for an extraordinary sunrise adventure. Haleakalā, meaning House of the Sun, is the largest dormant volcano in the world with a crater that offers unrivaled views and terrain, ranging from Mars-esque dunes to vast open fields of wildflowers in the warmer months. Arrive by dawn on a clear morning to catch the sun peeking over the crater walls and colors that spread across an endless sky. (Reservations, made up to seven days in advance, are required for all sunrise visits.) 

Outdoor lovers may explore the park and spend the day trekking the crater’s trail system. All visitors to this Native Hawaiian site should respect native species and restoration areas.

The sun rising over Haleakalā Crater.

When planning your visit, we highly recommended you monitor the weather to avoid dangerous conditions and bring warm clothing as summit temperatures can dip below freezing. With the public’s health in mind, the park has temporarily closed various facilities such as campgrounds, cabins and visitor centers. Visitors must wear a face mask when near others and keep it close by throughout their entire stay. 

Joining Haleakalā on East Maui’s list of natural gems is Wai‘anapanapa State Park, a 120-acre site with rich blue waters that contrast with black sand beaches, lush greenery and native forests. While the park is closed for camping due to COVID-19, visitors can still wander the park with their masks on and social distancing in mind, lay a blanket in its open areas, and take in broad views of the rugged and historic coastline. Be cautious when ocean conditions are rough and observe all posted safety signs. 

Wai‘anapanapa State Park is an incredible place to explore, but it is critical that visitors heed ocean safety signs, wear a mask and social distance at all times.

“Visiting one of Hawai‘i’s incredible state parks should be on everyone’s itinerary. But for us to keep these sites safe for everyone, we ask all park visitors to do their part by social distancing and wearing a mask when around others,” said Dan Dennison, senior communications manager at the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Keep it Simple and Support Local

If keeping a simple itinerary is your preference, grab food to-go from a local restaurant and enjoy a picnic on a beach or park. This easy and safely distanced activity is best enjoyed at sunset and is another opportunity to support Hawai‘i businesses!

Picking up food to share and enjoying a picnic under a tree or in a peaceful open space is never a bad idea. Remember to keep your mask nearby in case you need to put it back on quickly.

A vacation on the island of O‘ahu – also known as “The Gathering Place” – is best shared with friends and loved ones. Whether you are honeymooning, on a family trip, getting away with friends or exploring solo, following proper COVID-19 health and safety precautions to keep each other (and our local communities) safe is critical.

Preparing to Explore Responsibly

First, the basics: Keep face masks on or handy, follow social distancing guidelines, remember to wash hands frequently, and heed Honolulu county's latest health and safety protocols.

Remember to wash your hands often when traveling and seek out hand sanitizer stations at your hotel, such as this one at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.

O‘ahu offers travelers a multitude of experiences and each lends its own adventure – no matter your party size. Staying in town? Rent bikes and cruise (with face masks on) through picturesque areas like Ala Moana Beach Park and the nearby neighborhood of Kaka‘ako, a vibrant, industrial community covered in murals by POW! WOW Hawai‘i artists from around the world.

Renting and riding bikes is the best way to experience neighborhoods like Kakaʻako. Don't forget to wear your mask.

Driving around the island? Pick up a car from one of our rental partners to venture beyond Waikīkī and indulge in world-famous coastlines, eat at unique mom-and-pop shops and restaurants, and choose from countless eco-activities. (Please visit your rental car company’s website for the latest COVID-19 protocols and updates.)

Avis and Budget, for example, are implementing enhanced protocols that include using EPA-approved disinfecting wipes, a 15-point checklist for cleaning and disinfecting every vehicle, contactless exits and social distancing throughout the rental process.

A couple driving their rental car along Windward (east) Oʻahu's scenic Kalanianaʻole Highway.

Regardless of your itinerary, flight attendant Heather Sanchez offers this advice: “Don’t forget to carry reusable items, like utensils, bags and water bottles, and reef-safe sunscreen, along with your hand sanitizer, when traveling. These small individual actions have a meaningful impact on protecting and preserving our island’s natural resources.”

Satisfying Your Cravings with Local Restaurants and Farmers

O‘ahu is home to some of the most diverse cuisine in the Pacific. Locally owned establishments, from restaurants and food trucks, to breweries and cafes, offer an expansive palate of flavors that capture the state’s “melting pot” culture.

Meals are best enjoyed in the company of others, including this spread of local favorites at Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland.

"Hawaʻi's local restaurants have always supported local farmers, ranchers and fishermen. Our industries are interconnected and depend on each other. Without this relationship, we wouldn't have the diverse agricultural landscape we have in Hawai'i today," said Dean Okimoto, chairman of the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation, a nonprofit sponsor of the Mākaukau Hawai‘i “We Are Ready” Campaign. "By choosing to dine-in or takeout from a local restaurant, you're not only supporting that business, but you're also supporting the farmers, ranchers and fishermen that grow, raise and catch your food, and the local community.”

Photo credit: Kahuku Farms

One of the backdrops of Kahuku Farms' Farm Café, located on Oʻahu's North Shore.

A combination of feast and farm, Kahuku Farms is a staple lunch stop on your island tour. The family-owned business sells and incorporates its tropical crops, such as acai, banana and papaya into the menu of its farm café and store. Choose from refreshing acai bowls and smoothies, mouth-watering sandwiches, and more, or take home honey, jars of jam, and natural beauty products. Visitors can dine at socially distanced picnic seating with views of the thriving farm. Masks are required, and patrons should check the café’s latest hours and COVID-19 policies before visiting.

Photo credit: Kahuku Farms

Kahuku Farms uses ingredients grown on its land for healthy, made-to-order meals.

Experiencing O‘ahu’s Great Outdoors

If getting outside and experiencing Hawai‘i’s lush scenery is on your list, stop at Waimea Valley on O‘ahu’s North Shore and Kualoa Ranch on the eastern side. Waimea Valley immerses visitors in Hawaiian culture and lush greenery. Wander the paths of the valley with your masks on and find yourself towered over by centuries-old trees and surrounded by native flora and fauna, with the soothing sounds of birds and the river flowing to the mouth of Waimea Bay. Its open and shaded spaces are perfect for distancing your group,  laying down a blanket for a lunch picnic, or joining a tour to further experience the property.

Photo credit: Waimea Valley

Waimea Valley is a peaceful destination filled with rich history and culture.

Kualoa Ranch, an iconic location to a handful of famous films, is another kama‘āina favorite. The 4,000-acre private reserve overwhelms visitors with its natural beauty, including jagged mountains, rolling hills, tropical farmlands, and an expansive coastal view with endless blue skies. Kualoa’s tours, from horseback riding to ziplining, are paired with opportunities to learn about the land’s sacred history and the preservation work to protect it for years to come.

An aerial shot of Kaʻaʻawa Valley and Kualoa Ranch.

Both Kualoa Ranch and Waimea Valley have readied themselves to welcome more visitors by reducing the size of their tour groups, training staff and installing signage to communicate protocols, requiring everyone to wear masks, and more.

“Waimea Valley is a wahi pana, a storied place, that also holds a wahi kapu, a space held sacred by our kupuna, or ancestors and is known for its healing powers,” said Richard Pezzulo, executive director of Hi’ipaka LLC, the nonprofit group that oversees and stewards the valley. “It is especially important to us to keep all who enter the Valley safe through contact tracing, multiple hand sanitizing stations, regular cleaning of high touch areas and we have over 300 acres of space to roam safely and keep the social distance requirements.”

Relaxing at your hotel

From the check-in experience to lounging by the pool, hotels have redesigned their operations to ensure guests can relax safely. Our hotel partners boast an impressive portfolio of health and safety protocols, from the check-in experience to the room cleaning process. (Please visit your hotel’s website for their specific COVID-19 protocols and updates.)

‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach has employed more rigorous cleaning procedures, installed hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass shields at check-in counters, added in-room personal protective equipment (PPE) kits with gloves, disinfecting wipes and a mask, and implemented social distancing measures so that all visitors can rest easy.

Guests can feel safe at hotels like ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, which has implemented enhanced health and safety procedures across its property.

The hotel is a perfect one-stop-shop for vacationers looking to stay close to their property, which offers a panoramic view of Waikīkī, dishes up incredible meals and pūpūs (appetizers) at its Swell Pool & Bar and two on-site restaurants, Momosan and Morimoto Asia Waikiki, and is home to the “Light Monument” video art installation. The resort is also just steps from the beach with an infinity pool perfect for enjoying the sunset together.

Each purchase at a local business during your vacation in Hawai‘i is an investment in our people, the land, our culture and all that makes our islands so special – from tastemakers reshaping cuisine to creatives sharing their native roots through art and design.

As a fellow Hawai‘i business, we proudly partner with entrepreneurs to share their ingenuity and pa'ahana (hard work) with our guests – from our in-flight meals, entertainment and products to the design elements of our aircraft cabins and crewmember uniforms.

Local shops that are critical to sustaining our island economy have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. As Hawai‘i welcomes travelers back and businesses reopen their doors, we encourage kama‘āina (residents) and visitors to experience the eclectic products, flavors and services of our partners and employee-recommended stops featured in this series. As always, we remind our guests to wear a face mask and follow each establishment’s specific health and safety guidelines.

Please kōkua and wear a mask when exploring our island's local shops, restaurants and communities.

O‘ahu, the most cosmopolitan of our archipelago’s four major islands, boasts an array of quirky neighborhoods decorated with both new and long-time businesses. One district with a charming personality is Kaimukī, a community nestled just mauka (mountainside) of Waikīkī that is known for its niche businesses, mom-and-pop shops and collection of diverse eateries.

Coffee enthusiasts can indulge themselves in Kaimukī's cafe scene, which includes The Curb Kaimukī, a source of specialty brews and coffees that you can smell from a block away. The shop boasts a wide beverage menu of hand-crafted drinks and is take-out only to keep its patrons safe.

Not into coffee? Bubble tea lovers often satisfy their cravings at Cowcow’s Tea. The tea house has implemented easy-to-follow health and safety protocols, such as shields at the order station, mask and social distancing requirements, as well as contactless payment and to-go options. Even with restrictions, customers feel welcome with Cowcow’s pink-painted interior, fun Japanese-influenced style, and an Instagram-worthy rose photo wall.

The rose wall at Cowcow's Tea is a popular backdrop for customers. Don't forget to bring a reusable bubble tea straw, if you have one!

While walking Kaimukī’s narrow streets, shoppers will pass several one-of-a-kind stores, including da Shop: Books + Curiosities, a homey, independent bookstore carrying a curated selection of national bestsellers and an array of local subjects and authors. And just around the corner is ‘Awa + ‘Ōlena, a boutique beauty and wellness shop offering natural products made from Hawai‘i-sourced ingredients and jewelry created in-house by the shop owner. Customers can browse the shelves of these businesses with peace of mind, as both require masks and have reduced their capacity for social distancing. Prefer to shop from home? They both also offer a wide product selection online.

'Awa + 'Ōlena is open to all who wear a mask, and is where shoppers can find the store owner's popular local jewelry line.

Just west of Waikīkī and Ala Moana, travelers will find the neighborhoods of Ward and Kaka‘ako, two modern, mixed-use downtown Honolulu communities. Both are known for walkable streets lined with brick-and-mortar shops, and many craft breweries, cafes and eateries popular with kama‘āina.

Social distancing sidewalk markers help neighborhoods like Kaka‘ako maintain a safe and healthy environment for both residents and visitors.

Need to scratch that poke itch? Our longtime partner Foodland offers some of the freshest fish in town at its Kaka‘ako restaurant Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland. Located in SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, patrons indulge themselves in innovative seafood dishes and poke bowls available for dine-in (group size dependent upon local restrictions) or to go.

Guests of Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland must have a temperature screening before being seated and diving into its menu.

Next to the restaurant is one of the most unique store locations of our retail partner, Kahala. The fun and laid-back boutique, which also reduced its capacity and requires masks, offers an array of aloha wear designed by an in-house art team, a special Collector’s Edition series that highlights heritage prints, and special collaborations by famous local artists.

While local businesses have enforced new health and safety protocols, shoppers can still expect to receive the same warm aloha and hospitality.

And if you find yourself in the neighborhood on a weekend, a stop at the Kaka‘ako Farmers Market is a must. The market houses scores of vendors that range from handmade home décor to produce harvested at farms throughout O‘ahu. Since the pandemic, the market has expanded to include new businesses that have struggled to maintain traffic at their storefronts due to state-imposed restrictions. Masks are mandatory, vendors have reduced the number of shoppers allowed in their tent at one time, and select stands with high traffic require guests to follow social distancing markers and stay in designated lines.

As we all continue to adapt to the pandemic, we encourage everyone to be aware of the state’s latest COVID-19 travel requirements and O‘ahu restrictions. To learn more about how Hawai‘i businesses and the visitor industry have readied themselves to welcome guests back safely, visit www.makaukau.com.

HawaiianMiles members and Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^® cardmembers can earn even more HawaiianMiles when supporting our local merchant and travel partners. Click here to learn more.

Preparing for your flight to Hawai‘i from the Bay Area and searching for a convenient pre-travel COVID-19 test?

Look no further.

Hawaiian Airlines guests now have exclusive access to our first drive-through, pre-travel COVID-19 testing service near San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Travelers who take the shallow nasal swab test from the comfort of their vehicle on their way to the airport or anytime 72 hours before departure and receive a negative result will be exempted from the state of Hawai‘i quarantine and be able to enjoy our gorgeous beaches, trails, waterfalls and activities from the moment their arrive.

“We want pre-travel testing to be as convenient for our guests as ordering and picking up a cup of coffee on the go,” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “Our drive-through service lets our guests focus on getting ready to enjoy Hawai‘i.”

Our guests can visit www.schedulecovidtesting.com to book an appointment for the Droplet Digital PCR tests, a “gold standard” COVID-19 screening offered by Worksite Labs that meets state of Hawai‘i guidelines and is available to travelers of all ages, including children. Test results, which are guaranteed within 36 hours for $90, or $150 for day-of-travel express service, should be uploaded to the state of Hawai‘i’s online Safe Travels form.

“Star Navigator” mural by Nikila Badua

Guests driving onto our San Francisco site – just 10 miles from SFO – will be greeted by a “Star Navigator” mural by O‘ahu-born artist Nikila Badua and curated by the African American Art & Culture Complex. The panel adorning our mobile lab was inspired by modern-day female navigator Kala Tanaka, a wayfinding educator at Maui’s Voyaging Society.

“Kala's father is a master navigator and was one of the original crew members of the legendary Hōkūle‘a voyaging canoe,” explains Badua, who now resides in San Francisco. “In 1976, the Hōkūle‘a traveled from Hawai‘i to Tahiti without modern instruments, which was close to being forgotten in Hawai‘i. This image of her shows Kala measuring where she needs to go using her hand. The thumb lays across the horizon while the fingers stand vertical as you align your markings with the stars.”

Stay tuned for additional Hawaiian Airlines drive-through testing locations planned near Los Angeles International Airport and our other U.S. gateway cities.

Meanwhile, click here to learn more about Hawaiian’s testing options, including our Vault Health mail-in test available to travelers anywhere in the United States, as well as other providers.