HONOLULU –- Hawaiian Airlines today announced the appointment of David Arakawa, a respected community leader and attorney with 24 years of broad-based legal experience, to the position of senior vice president – general counsel and corporate secretary.
He started work April 1 and is overseeing all legal issues regarding Hawaiian's operations.
“David's wealth of experience in government and law here in Hawaii, coupled with his strong commitment to the local community, will be a tremendous asset as Hawaiian continues to improve its services to the travelers of Hawaii,” said Joshua Gotbaum, Hawaiian Airlines Trustee.
Commented Arakawa, “I'm very excited to work at Hawaiian Airlines. The company and its employees play a very significant role in our communities and with the state's economy. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the new job.”
Arakawa most recently served as corporation counsel for the City and County of Honolulu over the past eight years. As the chief legal advisor and representative for the mayor, city council, and all city agencies and employees, Arakawa directed more than 40 attorneys and a support staff of 50 employees.
Prior to joining the City and County of Honolulu, Arakawa spent 13 years in private practice, including as a partner with the law firm of Fujiyama Duffy and Fujiyama, serving a wide range of corporate and government clients. He started his legal career with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, where he specialized in career criminal and organized crime cases.
Throughout his career, Arakawa has been involved in numerous professional, civic and community activities. He is vice president of the Hawaii United Okinawan Association, and has served as a board member of several nonprofit organizations committed to improving Hawaii's quality of life.
He currently serves as a board member of both the Aiea Neighborhood Board and Aiea Community Association, and is also a member of the Waipahu and Pearl City Community Associations.
His strong ties to Leeward Oahu come naturally. For 85 years, his family owned and operated Arakawa's, the landmark plantation store in Waipahu.
A Punahou graduate, Arakawa attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1979 and his law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1981.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Readers of two prominent national travel magazines, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, have both rated Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii in their most recent rankings, and the fifth best domestic airline overall.
Celebrating its 76th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaii's biggest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands, as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA). Since the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee in May 2003, Hawaiian Holdings has had no responsibility for the management of Hawaiian Airlines and has had limited access to information concerning the airline. Additional information is available at www.HawaiianAir.com.