United Airlines' Fantasy Flight

The HNL Station for United Airlines hosted a Fantasy Flight for children battling life-threatening illness, special needs, and children from Gold Star families and fallen heroes today. N774UA (c/n 26936, l/n 2, f/n 2474), a 777-222, made the 50-minute flight from HNL's Gate F2 to the United's Hangar, as UAL3894. United employees, along with several non-profit organizations, volunteered their time to make this annual flight happen. UAL3894 landed on Runway 8R, and taxied to their hangar, where there was a Christmas party for the children and their families.

UAL 3894 was the first of the 13 Fantasy Flights around United's global network, this Christmas season. The other 12 cities hosting Fantasy Flights are: NRT, GUM, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, CVG, IAH, IAD, EWR, FLL, and LHR.

Further information in this United Airlines press release.

Water Cannon Salute For Pearl Harbor Survivor

The HNL ARFF honored Pearl Harbor attack survivor, Ira "Ike' Schab with a water cannon salute, as his Hawaiian Airlines flight taxied to the gate after arriving from PDX as HAL49. The 104-year-old Schab was also honored at the gate by Hawaiian Airlines employees. He is here to attend the 83rd December 7th remembrance at the Arizona Memorial Park on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. There are 16 survivors of the attack still living.

N388HA "Nahiku" (msn 1310, f/n 388) made the flight from PDX, and the water cannon salute was done as the A330-243 taxied near the Mauka Extension, where it parked at Gate A7.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines Mana‘o post.

Hawaiian Airlines Launches 787 Service

Hawaiian Airlines commenced 787-9 service today, with N781HA "Kapuahi", making the flight to SFO as HAL12. A pre-boarding event at Gate A4 was held that included Hawaiian music, hula dancers, and a Hawaiian blessing. Guests were given an orchid lei before walking into the Jetway.

N781HA will overnight at SFO, then return to HNL as HAL11. The guests aboard that flight will also get to witness a similar pre-boarding event at the gate.

Our highlight video is up on our YouTube channel.

photos to follow ...

N781HA's Blessing

Hawaiian Airlines held a blessing and naming ceremony for their first Boeing 787-9 DreamLiner. The event featured an ‘oli (chant) by several students from the Mālama Honua Public Charter School of Waimānalo, remarks by Hawaiian Airlines' Director of Community and Cultural Relations Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, President and CEO Peter Ingram, and Boeing's VP of Commercial Marketing Darren Hulst.

N781HA (c/n 66429, l/n 1172, f/n 781) was given the name, Kapuahi, or Aldebaran, a giant red star. The entiere 787-9 fleet will be given names of constellations in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, as with their A330-243 fleet.

Further details of the blessing in this Hawaiian Airlines Manaʻo blog post.

Watch our blessing and 787 preview video on our YouTube channel.

HNL's Mauka Terminal Dedicated

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Airports Division (HDOT-A) had the new Mauka Terminal dedicated today with a Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa. The terminal officially opens tomorrow, Friday, August 27th, occupied by Hawaiian Airlines. The new terminal, called Terminal A, can accommodate six wide-body, or eleven narrow-body airliners, or a combination of both.

Hawaiian Airlines' Final 767 Revenue Flight

Hawaiian Airlines' N594HA "‘Ulili" (c/n 23275, l/n 136, f/n 594) is making the airline's final 767-300 revenue flight today. This 767-332EM is flying as HAL19 from SMF, and will arrive to a blessing and media event.

United Airlines Brings Home LLWS Champs

United Airlines' flight UAL363, EWR-HNL, brought home the Honolulu All-Stars team that won Sunday's Little League World Series. N78060 (c/n 29455, l/n 866, f/n 0060), a 767-424ER arrived this afternoon with a true Hawaiian blessing of rain showers as the flight landed and taxied to Gate F2. The team was greeted by local politicians, fans, and the media as they walked out of the Jetway. A welcoming ceremony was held in the Diamond Head Tour Group area.

Mokulele Airlines Holds Terminal 3 Blessing

Mokulele Airlines held a blessing ceremony and festivities for today's passengers at their new facilities at HNL's Terminal 3. Passengers were treated to remarks by Mokulele President Robert McKinney, a prayer and blessing by New Hope Legacy's Senior Pastor Makana Delovio, and entertainment by Anuhea Jenkins (accompanied by Jason Sensation).

Mokulele brought in N847MA from KOA, which was recently painted in the airline's new livery in the teal variation.

The airline, using North Ramp Hardstand 1C, can handle four Caravans at any time (Gates H1-H4), and can expand up to six if need be. They will also launch service between HNL and LUP (Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i) tomorrow, as they received the FAA's EAS contract. Mokulele also has the EAS contract to provide passenger service to HNM (Hāna, Maui).

N202HA's Blessing

Hawaiian Airlines held a blessing ceremony for N202HA "Maile" this morning on HNL's south ramp. A red carpet was laid out on the tarmac up to the stairs truck.  Prior to the blessing, remarks to the media were made by Hawaiian Airlines President & CEO Mark Dunkerley, Airbus' Director of Sales Rebecca Lane, and Pratt & Whitney's Customer Fleet Director (Americas Region) Andrew Dolecki. 

After the remarks were made, the three joined Hawaiian Airlines Vice-President of Community Relations Debbie Nakanelua-Richards and Kahu Richard Kamanu from Kaumakapili Church at the top of the stairs, at the doorway of "Maile". To begin the blessing ceremony, Mrs. Nakanelua-Richards performed and ‘oli. Kahu Kamanu then led the group in prayer, and sprinkled a mix of Hawaiian salt and water around the doorway and into the cabin. A maile lei hung in the doorway, and to end the ceremony, Mark Dunkerley pulled on the lei to break the strand. The A321-271N fleet will be named after Hawaiian flowers and plants.

Employees from Hawaiian's corporate office came down to get their first look at "Maile", they had the opportunity to see the cabin interior.


Mark Dunkerley held a press conference in the cabin of their first A321neo to announce his retirement from Hawaiian Airlines that will take effect on 01 March 2018. Dunkerley will a 15-year run with the airline, that he took over before the airline entered bankruptcy in 2001, and led the airline to triple in size in its fleet, route networks, and employees.  He cited that his reason for leaving his position as President & CEO for family reasons, but will remain active in the local community, and will have more time to fly his personal aircraft, a Bunker Jungmann C.A.S.A 131. He selected Hawaiian Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer Peter Ingram to take the role of President & CEO.

photos to follow ...

United Bids Aloha ‘Oe To The 747

United Airlines flew their final Boeing 747 passenger flight today from SFO to HNL as UAL747. N118UA (c/n 28811, l/n 1201, f/n 8418) made the momentous flight filled with a mix of United employees, passengers, and media. There was a huge pre-boarding event at the United Terminal at SFO, and employees lined up alongside the airliner, waving as it pushed out on to the taxiway. Following take-off, it made a pass over the Golden Gate Bridge, before crossing the Pacific Ocean. 

United used Gate 33 for the arrival, which was decorated with commemorative large banners, a giant thank you card for UAL747's passengers and crew, HNL Station employees, and anyone else wanting to wish the 747 farewell. N118UA's approach into HNL was preceded by a pass above Maui with views of Hawai‘i Island, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Kaho‘olawe. Minutes before landing, rain showers enveloped HNL, and the 747-422 landed on Runway 8L with a Hawaiian blessing. The rain lasted until the ground crew draped a bright orange lei around the front of the Boeing Jumbo Jet.

Everyone deplaning received an orchid lei fro HNL Station employees, and there was a Hawaiian music group and hula dancers who performed for the passengers. There was also a cake to commemorate the 747's farewell. Speeches were made by Hawai‘i Governor David Ige, State Senator Lorraine Inouye, and Boeing's Bruce Dickenson among others.

After the celebration was done, N118UA was towed across the airport, from Gate 33 to the United Airlines Hangar, where it was parked at the opening of the hangar, for an employee party that was held inside the hangar.

N118UA is scheduled to return to SFO tomorrow, and will be ferried to VCV on Thursday, where it will be placed into storage.

photos to follow ...

Island Air's N681WP Blessing

This morning, Island Air held a Hawaiian blessing ceremony for N681WP "Ola Kūpono" at their hangar. The new Q400 Next Gen is scheduled to enter service tomorrow, on the OGG route. There were speeches by Island Air CEO David Uchiyama, VP Jeffrey Lau, and Bombardier's Gary Dixon; along with a prayer and blessing by Kahu Kelekona Bishaw. The event culminated with a media preview flight that flew from HNL, over the island of Lānaʻi, and back.

Hawaiian Airlines Moana Logo-Jet

On October 15th, Hawaiian Airlines debuted their Disney's "Moana" logo-jet. An unveiling and blessing ceremony was held with 300+ guests in attendance. N392HA "Hikianalia" (msn 1404) was chosen as the first of three of the company's 23 A330-243s to wear the promotional livery. The decision to utilize Hikianalia as the debut aircraft was made in coincidence with the theme of the upcoming movie as it shares the name of one of the two traditional Hawaiian Voyaging canoes (with sister ship Hōkūle‘a) which is currently on an epic adventure around the world.

The unveiling of the new logo-jet was a closely kept secret. The previous day, prior to the announcement ceremony, Hikianalia was towed into the United Airlines Maintenance hangar to have the decals applied. Lighting production and event audio was also prepared in time for the photoshoot with two of the movie's main cast. Auli‘i Cravalho, voice of Moana, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, voice of the demigod Maui, showed up in the early evening for their promotional photoshoot with Hikianalia, and Hawaiian's CEO Mark Dunkerley.

Hawaiian's first promotional livery aircraft was pressed into service the today as HA16 to San Diego.

Solar Impulse Si2 (HB-SIB) Departs Kalaeloa

Photo by Jean Revilard | solarimpulse.com

After nine months inside Hangar 111 at Kalaeloa Airport-John Rodgers Field (JRF), the Solar Impulse Si2 (HB-SIB) with pilot Bertrand Piccard departed Thursday morning, April 21st, for Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ) in Mountain View, California.

Solar Impulse is on its around the world flight flown with zero fuel to share the message of clean technologies. In July 2015, Solar Impulse, flown by André Borschberg arrived in Hawai‘i from Nagoya, Japan after crossing the Pacific in almost 5 days flight time. However, due overheating of the aircraft’s batteries that power Si2’s 4 engines during the flight, it was necessary to replace the damaged batteries and wait for favorable conditions across the Pacific.

Piccard who is the founder and initiator of the Solar Impulse project along with Borschberg - the project’s CEO, plan to continue across the United States to New York, cross the Atlantic, then Europe and continue on to Abu Dhabi, the starting point on Si2’s around the world journey. We wish the entire Solar Impulse team great success!

Pilot for the Hawai‘i - California crossing Bertrand Piccard with André Borschberg. 

Solar Impulse Si2 HB-SIB inside Kalaeloa's Hangar 111.

HB-SIB being pulled out to Runway 4R at Kalaeloa Airport (JRF).

HB-SIB along with André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard receive a traditional Hawaiian blessing.

The Solar Impulse Si2 HB-SIB into the Hawaiian skies on her way to California.

Aloha Solar Impulse! Bonne Chance Bertrand Piccard!
Photo by Jean Revilard | solarimpulse.com

‘Ohana's "Lāna‘i Celebration"

This morning, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian invited a few members of the niche market media and local travel industry social media influencers on a day trip to Lāna‘i. We gathered at Gate 49 in the Inter-Island Terminal to board N804HC "Holo Kaomi". Among those accompanying us on the trip were Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley, ‘Ohana by Hawaiianʻs Managing Director Hadden Watt, livery designer Sig Zane and family, Maui Senator J. Kalani English, and the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders. 

We boarded at around 0910HST, I was seated in seat 2A, which is also the exit row on an ATR42. With everyone seated, we pushed back seven minutes ahead of departure time. After three Hawaiian Airlines take off and landings ahead of us, it was our turn to depart from Runway 8L. Our flight to Lāna‘i reached an altitude of FL070 at 295kts. The 18-minute flight was smooth, as was the landing on LNYʻs Runway 3. We parked at Gate 3, and deplaned to the main terminal (above). The weather at the airport was sunny and cool (70ºF / 21ºC), with a nice breeze blowing. We boarded Mercedes Sprinter vans from the Four Seasons Lāna‘i at Manele Bay to take us to the Lāna‘i Senior Center in Lāna‘i City where the celebration would take place.

The celebration was held with some of the kupuna (elder citizens) of Lāna‘i City. Members of the Hawaiian Airlines team that traveled with us visited with the "aunties and uncles" (a common term of endearment for older local residents) as the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders and Dancers prepared for their show. The show was similar to the pre-boarding celebrations when Hawaiian launches a new route. Mark Dunkerley led off the speeches, by thanking the residents of Lāna‘i for welcoming them back, as now they can seamlessly fly the Hawaiian Airlines route network from LNY. Hadden Watt spoke next, followed by Sig and Kuha‘o Zane (who talked about the livery), Senator J. Kalani English, and Maui County Council-member G. Riki Hokama. After a brief prayer in Hawaiian, a buffet lunch was served for everyone attending.

Our next venture was to the Four Seasons Lāna‘i at Manele Bay, where we would embark on a short hike to see Pu‘u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock). After getting settled, we began the hike from the pool area, then across Hulopo‘e Beach, then up to Pu‘u Pehe. We spent several minutes up there taking photographs, and a short break before heading back to the resort. We then boarded the Sprinter vans to take us back to LNY.

LNY is a quaint airport with three airlines serving it. It has four gates, but one large holding area. Once we all cleared TSA, it was a short wait before we boarded "Holo Kaomi" through Gate 3, to take us back home to HNL. We back-taxied down Runway 3 to the approach end to take-off, and got off the ground quickly, then making a 180º left turn to head back to HNL. The 21-minute flight was fairly smooth, flying at FL060 at 295kts. We landed on Runway 8L, and taxied back to Gate 49. That was a great day trip, and an incentive for future getaways to Lāna‘i!

HNL RareBirds extends a big mahalo to Mark Dunkerley and his staff at Hawaiian Airlines for hosting this trip and the activities!

‘Ohana Launches MKK Service

‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched its Moloka‘i service this morning with a special flight this morning. CFS614 (operated by Empire Airlines) left Gate 49 with Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley, Hawai‘i State Senator J. Kalani English, livery artist Sig Zane (and family), and other Hawaiian Airlines personnel. N804HC, named "Holo Kaomi" (the winds over Paoma‘i, Lānaʻi), made the inaugural flight this morning (above).

Prior to the flight Kahu Richard Kamanu of Kaumakapili Church prayed over, and blessed "Holo Kaomi" (above). He and ‘Ohana's Managing Director Hadden Watt broke the mail lei affixed to the top of the doorway.

Livery designers Sig Zane (left) and his son Kuha‘o pose at the tail section of "Holo Kaomi".

In the passenger holding area, Hawaiian Airlines' Keoni Martin offered an ‘oli before Kahu Kamanu offered a prayer and blessing over the gate area. Mark Dunkerley and Hadden Watt untied the mail lei  before boarding could commence (above).

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release, and this Paul Drewes' report from KITV.

On The Way To HND On N382HA

Only in Hawaii...

The flight crew for HAL457 joins hands for the traditional Hawaiian blessing before boarding. What a treat this must be for our Japanese visitors returning to Japan.

Ready to board!  N382HA "Iwakeli‘i" just before we fill her up with pax returning to or on the way to a great late winter visit to Japan.

Island Air's N941WP Blessing

Island Air held a blessing ceremony for their new ATR72-212, N941WP (msn 349), today, in their hangar. The ATR72 was also given the name "Manawanui" (Hawaiian for Steadfastness and Perseverance). It will remain as N348AE for the time being.

A Hawaiian blessing was performed by Kahu Kelekona Bishaw. It also included the untying of the maile lei that was on the railings of the main entry doors, by Island Air CEO Les Murashige and Island Air's Station Training Specialist Sumer Harrell.

At a press conference held after the blessing, Island Air CEO Les Murashige (right) announced that the airline was purchased was by Larry Ellison. Also at the press conference were Paul Marinelli, VP Lawrence Investments (left), and Michael Rodynuck, Senior Consultant (center).


This is also our 2,000th blog post.

Hawaiian Says G'Day To BNE

Hawaiian Airlines commenced service between HNL and BNE this morning, with their special pre-boarding festivities, that featured the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders, food samplers by Chef Chai, speeches by CFO Peter Ingram, and Hawai‘i Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, and an ‘oli and blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu.  As customary with all their new destination launches, each passenger also received a lei prior to boarding.

N588HA "‘Iwa" (c/n 33466, l/n 890), a 767-3CBER, was the aircraft selected for the "Aloha Brisbane" flight. "‘Iwa", had a decal applied to its nose section that commemorates the "Southern Cross" Trans-Pacific flight by Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith in June 1928 in a Fokker VII/3. "‘Iwa" also wears the Oakland Raiders decal, that denotes the airline's partnership with the NFL franchise, as the official airline of the Raiders, and provides flights to their road game cities. Sister-ship N589HA "Moli" also wears the "Southern Cross" decal.

more photos to follow ...

Mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines for the invitation to this event!

Hawaiian Inaugurates CTS Service

Hawaiian Airlines inaugurated thrice-weekly service between HNL and CTS (New Chitose International Airport, Hokkaido, Japan) this morning. Before passengers boarded HAL441, Hawaiian hosted pre-boarding festivities that included: food from Chef Chai, the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders, singer and kumu hula Robert Cazimero performing a song; the Hanayagi Dance School; an ‘oli by Keone Martin; a prayer and blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu; and lei given to each boarding passenger. N587HA "Pakalakala" was the 767-33AER that flew HAL441.

The traditional maile lei tied before the entrance to Gate 34, along with the commemorative "Aloha Sapporo" banner.

 The Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders hula dancers with "Pakalakala" in the background.

 The cabin crew of HAL441 poses for a group shot before attending to their pre-flight duties.

Hawaiian Airlines CFO Peter Ingram unties the maile lei shortly after Kahu Richard Kamanu performed the prayer and Hawaiian blessing.

Mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines for the invitation to this event!

Asiana Upgrades ICN-HNL To Daily

Beginning today, Asiana Airlines has upgraded its twice-weekly service between ICN and HNL (AAR232/231) to daily. Asiana also moved its ticket counter to the main terminal, from it's counter space at the makai end of the Inter-Island Terminal. A blessing and festivities were held this morning at HNL.