As Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month) comes to a close, our ‘ohana's celebrations are far from over – and they are extending beyond our aircraft and workplace.
Tag: olelo hawaii
In navigating his creative brainstorms, local designer Keola Nakaʻahiki Rapozo says tapping into a Hawaiian mindset is like following a compass. For Rapozo, the co-founder of Hawaiʻi brand FITTED, thinking Hawaiian means reconnecting to a mainframe rooted in culture, language and perspective.
Since childhood, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) has served as a guiding compass for ʻIwalani Kūaliʻi Kahoʻohanohano, senior specialist of internal communications at Hawaiian Airlines. Now 30 years old, she is known as one of Hawaiian Airlines’ core storytellers, with ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian culture as her work pillars.
Employees across our airline are joining hands this February to perpetuate mahina ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language month). This year, through their collective actions, from organizing surprise ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi flights to partnering with native Hawaiian designer Keola Naka'ahiki Rapozo, we are proud to share Hawaiian language and culture with our guests and the communities we serve.
When Hawaiian Airlines commits to aloha in everything we do, we must also commit to supporting the language and culture from which aloha came. Our ‘ohana was honored to support the travel of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Hawaiian Theatre Program to bring its historical epic, ‘Au‘a ‘Ia: Holding On, to New York City.
It’s safe to say 2019 was among the most eventful years Hawaiian Airlines has had in nine decades.
Throughout our 89 years as Hawai‘i’s airline, we have proudly woven local culture into the operational fabric of our company. Our guests have the unique opportunity to experience our signature Mea Ho‘okipa (I am host) warm hospitality and hear the Hawaiian language – once almost extinct – thrive in our boarding and flight announcements.
We couldn’t think of a better way to close the year than to make history with ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, the mother tongue of the Hawaiian Islands. On Dec. 21, in conjunction with the second anniversary of our service between Haneda Airport (HND) and Kona International Airport (KOA), our flight and guest services crew hosted the first international Hawaiian language flight.
As Hawaii’s hometown carrier, it’s our kuleana (responsibility and privilege) to serve as ambassadors of the Islands to those who visit our shores. From the moment our guests check in for their flight and are greeted by a member of our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana, mea ho'okipa (I am host), our signature hospitality, welcomes them and provides a primer in celebrating our culture of Aloha.