Mālama, meaning to “care for” in Hawaiian and one of our core company values, has been on top of our minds as we think of ways to continue to support our people and communities during the pandemic. 

As we started to suspend most of our flying, our product development and in-flight teams immediately began assessing our large inventory of unused cabin items – such as blankets, pillowcases, slippers, mattress pads and amenity kits – to find them new homes and help vulnerable members of our community. 

“We saw that several of the nonprofits that we’ve supported over the years are now being met with an unprecedented need for donations as their program beneficiaries are relying more on their services to stay afloat,” said Renee Awana, managing director of product development at Hawaiian Airlines. “Our product development team had the opportunity to look into our inventory and redirect several thousand units of excess soft good items into the hands of shelters and human-services organizations statewide.”  

After Hawaiian Humane Society received our donation, its team was sent off by an ānuenue (rainbow in Hawaiian) outside our Honolulu cargo facility.

Since March, Hawaiian has distributed over 10,300 fleece Main Cabin blankets, 169,000 Main Cabin pillowcases, 600 Business Class pillowcases, 2,200 Business Class slippers, 2,050 Business Class mattress pads, and 2,750 Business Class and Extra Comfort amenity kits to 12 organizations:  

• Aloha United Way 

• American Red Cross (Maui, Island of Hawai‘i and O‘ahu chapters) 

• First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu – Salvation Army Women’s Outreach 

• Hawaiian Humane Society 

We checked in with a few of our nonprofit recipients to see how their donations are being used and share how you can join their impactful efforts.   

Maintaining a Safe Space for O‘ahu Animals 

Earlier this month, over 2,000 Business Class mattress pads were donated to the Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) to help animals stay relaxed while its facilities are partially closed. Daniel Roselle, director of community relations at HHS, said the pads will ensure animals can rest comfortably while awaiting adoption or foster care or recovering from critical veterinary services.   

Hawaiian Humane Society is using our donated Business Class mattress pads to provide comfortable shelters for its animals.

"The mattress pads we received have been a big help and are making life more comfortable for our animals and more convenient for our animal care staff,” he said. “We use them in our dog and cat kennels, and when we spay or neuter a pet, we can wake them up gently on their own heated pad. We are so grateful for this generous gift from Hawaiian Airlines. It's wonderful to be part of repurposing soft goods in a way that makes life better for O‘ahu’s animals."  

Helping Local Shelters Care for the Homeless 

The Institute for Human Services (IHS), Oʻahu’s oldest and largest homeless services provider, which operates nine shelters across the island, has faced a similar need for essential items. To keep its temporary residents safe, the organization has implemented strict social distancing rules and reduced the number of beds to allow for six-foot spacing. However, the new rules have made it difficult to accommodate everyone who needs assistance. 

To help IHS welcome new residents to their shelters or serve the needs of people who remain on the streets, we donated 2,800 Main Cabin fleece blankets to help keep homeless individuals comfortable at night.  

Several boxes of blankets being loaded onto an Institute for Human Services' truck at our cargo facility.

“Our guests often come to us with nothing but the shirts on their backs,” said Jill Wright, director of philanthropy and community relations at IHS. “By welcoming them with basic comforts like a blanket to sleep under, we are reaffirming that they are valued. This can often make all the difference in their outlook and belief in a brighter future.” 

Hawaiian employees and Institute for Human Services' staff in front of a truck filled at capacity with boxes of our Main Cabin blankets.

The Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons (HONU) program provides short-term shelters and housing navigation services to Leeward O‘ahu’s homeless community. However, the urgency to help unsheltered individuals off the streets and the resulting demand for supplies has grown two-fold amid COVID-19. In response to a spike in homelessness, HONU has opened a temporary shelter near Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport with spaced-out beds, food, personal hygiene stations, and more. To assist with their transition, we donated over 1,000 of our Main Cabin fleece blankets to HONU earlier this month. 

Supporting Pacific Islander Communities in Need 

Through its culture-based programs, Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) helps at-risk groups within the Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities overcome difficult life and economic challenges.  

Boxes of soft goods waiting to be loaded onto a Partners in Development Foundation truck. Donations will support families and people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a PIDF partner for over 10 years, we understood the critical need for supplies to support people most vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Items like blankets, amenity kits, pillowcases and slippers were expedited to PIDF’s team to be delivered to Pacific Islander families who receive the nonprofit’s vital social services – from safe houses to low-income family programs.  

Partners in Development Foundation staff and Hawaiian employees load boxes of donations into vans.

"Partners in Development Foundation is humbled by Hawaiian’s willingness to provide hope, joy, and comfort to our families during this very difficult time,” said Kasey Galariada, outreach manager for Partners in Development Foundation’s Ka Pa‘alana Homeless Family Education Program. “On the day the families received the items, there were smiles, laughter, and so much gratitude shared. We value our partnership as we continue to serve those in need, especially at a time when we all need a little extra love.” 

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to find creative ways to keep supporting each other, and especially the small local companies that are more vulnerable to a prolonged economic downturn. 

To explore Pop-Up Mākeke’s selection of unique Hawai‘i products, visit www.popupmakeke.com or watch its live shopping show on Facebook and Instagram.

Food-A-Go-Go

Whether in good times or bad, our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana has always stepped forward to help its fellow teammates and neighbors in need. Amid uncertain times brought on by the pandemic, our employees have put themselves on the frontlines of efforts to kōkua (help) the local communities that have supported us for the past nine decades.  

For several weeks, volunteers have proudly donned their purple Team Kōkua shirts while building a rich portfolio of philanthropic efforts during these difficult times. Their efforts include sorting food at the Hawaii Foodbank, helping Lanakila Meals on Wheels provide food for our kūpuna (senior citizens), shipping food to our state’s rural and at-risk communities, and more.  

Our ‘ohana’s inspiring acts of aloha have been executed at every level of giving, from wide-scale company efforts to individual employees pushing to make a difference. These are the stories that make us proud to be Hawai‘i’s airline, proving that no effort to mālama (care) and lōkahi (collaborate) is too big or too small. 

Sewing Face Masks for Her Community

As health experts began recommending that anyone going into public spaces cover their faces, the demand for face coverings soared. With masks flying off store shelves, Caprice Vida, senior project manager at Hawaiian Airlines, and her family put their sewing talents to work to join a growing cadre of citizens making their own face coverings for their families, friends, and others. 

Vida and her mother sewing masks in the kitchen of her home.

“In our little operation, I go out and buy the fabric while my mom does the sewing,” explains Vida. “After the day’s work is complete, my daughter and I go out and make deliveries. In addition to my regular Hawaiian Airlines work, it makes for a long day, but it’s worth it.” 

The Vida ‘ohana makes 10 to 20 non-medical face coverings per day with each mask taking 30 to 60 minutes to complete. She has donated her masks to the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i for their volunteers, distributed batches to her colleagues and offered to make more for others at no cost. 

A selection of the masks Vida and her family have made for her community.

“We are doing this because we know that there’s a need and we have the capability to meet that need. I am so passionate about helping our community and this is our small way to contribute to everyone’s safety as we try to get through this pandemic,” she said. 

PPG Station Gathers Food for Teammates in Need 

In the Samoan language, mālama translates to fetausia`i – and our team in America Samoa had plenty to spare. With our flights between Pago Pago (PPG) and Honolulu suspended until at least the end of May, some of our employees were impacted by the grounded operations. 

Our PPG management team recognized the need for food and basic supplies within their own ‘ohana and organized a food drive to help relieve their hardship. More than 23 employees donated food over the three-and-a-half-hour drive. As a result, 13 boxes full of chicken, rice, milk, water, and other essential items were collected and distributed to any colleague who needed the help. 

The team at our station in Pago Pago, American Samoa, at the conclusion of a successful food drive.

“In the Samoan culture, we have a saying that when the big toe is injured, the rest of the body feels it and that’s exactly how I felt when I thought of this idea,” recalled Mariana Faiai, guest service chief agent at PPG and organizer of the station food drive. “I felt the struggles that people are feeling, not only the Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana but also everyone affected by the coronavirus pandemic.” 

Each person who attended the food drive received a food kit, ranging from fresh eggs to canned goods.

Even though the food drive is over, Faiai continues to receive donation offers, including one employee family’s pledge to give several boxes of frozen meat, and she is considering hosting a second event.  

“For so many years, team PPG members have given their best effort for me and the company, and during these tough times, we are very honored to return the favor,” reflected Tuli Fruean, manager of our PPG station. “I am so very proud of all the people who stepped forward to assist our ‘ohana in need.”  

The Cargo Flight That Took an Entire Company (And More) 

When Every1ne Hawai‘i wanted to bring a large supply of face masks to Hawai'i residents, they turned to our airline for assistance in transporting the shipment to Honolulu (HNL) from Shenzhen, China. Working with local organizations and vendors, the grassroots group acquired the protective gear directly from factories in China for distribution via a fleet of “mask mobiles” and a “mask marketplace” at City Mill locations. As the hometown carrier, we welcomed the humanitarian mission with open wings.  

However, organizing an international charter flight can be complicated even when the industry is at its healthiest, and this mission required a company-wide effort and several weeks of planning to ensure the necessary approvals, people and equipment were in place to safely transport 1.6 million masks.  

An image of the shipment of masks being loaded into our aircraft in Shenzhen, China.

Our cargo teams developed a plan that followed the government regulations and restrictions of all countries involved and fulfilled unique requirements with freight forwarders and cargo consolidators in China. In Honolulu, our operations teams were busy finalizing flight plans, obtaining maintenance support and equipment, arranging crew rest and layovers and catering the aircraft. Our maintenance team removed the lower deck crew rest module, located underneath the passenger cabin, of an Airbus A330 to maximize cargo space to accommodate over 800 boxes.

Our crews unloading 1.6 million face masks from the belly of the retrofitted Airbus A330 that landed in Honolulu on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 21.

“It takes many hands to do great work and there were many that made this effort possible,” said Managing Director of Cargo Brad Matheny. “We are proud to be Hawai‘i’s airline and appreciate the opportunity to help our community, especially in times of great need.” 

The crew onboard the humanitarian cargo flight bound for Shenzhen, China. From L to R || (Back row): A330 First Officer Theodore Scott Hebert, Aircraft Mechanic Hirotake Masuko, A330 Captain Donald Del Carmen, Assistant Manager of Weight and Balance Sean Sanfilippo, Aircraft Mechanic Sheldon Burgher || (Front row) A330 First Officer Aron Penzes, and Senior Manager of Contract Services Lianne Villaro || (Not pictured) A330 Captain Neil Yonamine

On Saturday, April 18, four pilots, two mechanics and two airport operations employees boarded our aircraft and departed HNL for Incheon (ICN), South Korea, where the crew rested before continuing to Shenzhen (SZX), China. The aircraft made its celebrated return to HNL on Tuesday, April 21 at about 4:30 p.m. HST. 

Upon landing at HNL on Tuesday afternoon, the plane was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute, or water lei, as it taxied to its gate.

“There was an incredible effort made from our entire company to get the logistics, planning and approvals done for this flight. It was a lot of work but we’re glad to have accomplished it and have the shipment here in Hawai‘i now,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “I couldn’t be prouder of the team at Hawaiian Airlines for all of the amazing things they accomplished to make this happen for the community.”

“Hawaiian really stepped up and rose to the occasion to make a lot of things happen…and I don’t even think we fully understand how difficult it was for them to get that shipment here,” said Robert Kurisu,  co-founder of Every1ne Hawai‘i. “With this supply, we can basically supply all of our nonprofits partners serving vulnerable communities – not only on O‘ahu but throughout the whole state.” 

Face masks will be loaded on a fleet of Every1ne Hawai‘i “mask mobiles.” Over the next several weeks, the organization will work with community nonprofits statewide and the City and County of Honolulu to coordinate the distribution of masks to protect Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable community members from COVID-19.