HONOLULU, November 21, 1996 -- Hawaiian Airlines today announced that it will unveil an all-new in-flight hospitality program featuring the best that Hawaii has to offer on every Hawaiian Airlines flight, starting January 1, 1997. The program will integrate all elements of Hawaiian's audio, visual, in-flight magazine, a new on-board gift catalogue, and food service.
"Hawaiian Airlines has expanded its Mea Ho'okipa in-flight program to focus on the best Hawaii has to offer, giving travelers a complete Hawaiian experience the moment they board our planes," Peter Jenkins, senior vice president-marketing and sales, said. "This expanded program is the fulfillment of our commitment to travelers that Hawaiian is and always will be Hawaii's Flagship Airline."
The new Mea Ho'okipa program will focus on a different major island destination each quarter, starting with Oahu in the first quarter of 1997, Maui in the second quarter, the Big Island in the third quarter, and ending the year with Kauai.
Continuing the program's island-specific theme, Hawaiian's award-winning Hawaii Regional Cuisine First Class meal service will showcase new and innovative appetizers, entrees, and desserts created by Chef Jean Luc Voegel and Sous Chef Eric Faivre of the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu; Executive Chef Tylun Pang and Martin Sherman, executive food and beverage manager of The Kea Lani Hotel Suites & Villas on Maui; Chef Corey Waite and Sous Chef Peter Chilla of the Big Island's Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Mauna Kea Resort; and Chef Anthony Layton-Matthews and Conrad Nonaka, executive assistant food beverage manager of the Princeville Hotel on Kauai. Each chef will create four distinct menus for their featured time period.
To add an air of distinction, vintner Kendall Jackson will work with these chefs to select appropriate wines that complement the dinner cuisine, in addition to regular red and white wines already served. The in-flight beverage service will also feature champagnes from Korbel, Hawaiian fruit juices by Meadow Gold, and premium Hawaiian coffee from Lion Coffee.
To complement the island-specific menu and beverage selections, Hawaiian's locally produced in-flight video magazine will explore the art, history, culture, music, and essence of the featured island. On the music front, hot local artists like Robi Kahakalau will be featured in boarding music and on a special "Featured Artist" channel on Hawaiian's audio program. Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with CD 101.9 FM radio, KQMQ 93.1 FM on Oahu, KPOA Radio on 93.5 FM on Maui, KWXX 94.7 FM on the Big Island, and KQNG AM 570-FM 93.5 on Kauai, to give travelers a flavor of local music favorites of each island destination.
To make Hawaiian Airlines' Mea Ho'okipa experience complete, a new retail catalogue of merchandise from featured artists, resort wear, Hawaiian food and gift items, and Hawaiian Airlines logo items will be available on-board so that travelers can shop for gifts or souvenirs of their favorite island.
"Together with the unique Hawaiian hospitality offered by our employees, this program will truly give travelers a taste of what Hawaii is all about," Jenkins said.
Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii's first and largest airline, provides scheduled and chartered air transportation of passengers, cargo, and mail among the islands of Hawaii and between Hawaii and five West Coast gateway cities and two destinations in the South Pacific.