HONOLULU, March 26, 2002 -- Hawaiian Airlines has been honored with a 2002 Governor's Kilohana Award recognizing its employees for outstanding volunteerism in the “Sharing Aloha” project, the state's hosting of 600 New York rescue workers and families from December 3-10, 2001.
The award was presented March 15 in a ceremony hosted by Governor Ben Cayetano at Washington Place. Named in the award were Paul Casey, Hawaiian's vice chairman and chief executive officer, and First Officer Kathy Jones, the pilot who originally suggested the company fly New York City rescue workers and their families here for a one-week vacation.
“The Kilohana awards recognize individuals or groups that have made a contribution to Hawaii. The donation of airline service for the vacations for the survivors and rescue workers from New York not only lifted the spirits of those who visited Hawaii, but it also demonstrated to the nation the aloha spirit of our people,” said Governor Ben Cayetano.
Hawaiian is the first company to receive the award in the business category, which was added this year. The airline donated the use of two DC-10 jets to provide free, roundtrip, non-stop service between New York and Honolulu for the visit. The flight crews all donated their free time as volunteers. Hawaiian provided first-class meal service to all passengers, and welcomed them at Honolulu International Airport with fresh flower lei, Hawaiian music, and hula.
“It was a privilege for Hawaiian Airlines to join Governor Cayetano and the other travel partners in this wonderful project that exemplifies the generosity of Hawaii's aloha spirit. We're all very proud of the compassion our employees showed for their fellow citizens from New York and the measure of comfort they helped bring into their lives during this difficult period,” said Paul Casey, Hawaiian's vice chairman and chief executive officer.
The “Sharing Aloha” guests represented the Fire Department of New York, the New York Port Authority Police Department, the New York Police Department, and Office of Emergency Management. They were comprised primarily of spouses and family members of rescue workers lost in the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.
By 2003, Hawaiian is scheduled to replace its existing widebody fleet of DC-10 aircraft with 16 Boeing 767-300ER jets to operate transpacific routes between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland and points in the South Pacific. The company currently has four new Boeing 767-300ER widebody jets serving routes between Hawaii and the West Coast, and will have a total of 11 jets in service by the end of 2002.
In addition, the company has already replaced its narrowbody fleet of aircraft operating flights between the islands of Hawaii with new 13 Boeing 717-200 aircraft. By next year, Hawaiian will have one of the youngest and most modern fleets of aircraft in the nation.
Founded in Honolulu 72 years ago, Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's longest-serving and largest airline. The nation's 12th largest airline, it is also the second-largest provider of passenger service between the West Coast and Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines takes great pride in its innovative onboard service programs that highlight and promote the people and culture of Hawaii. The airline has earned numerous international awards for service in recent years, including the 2001 Zagat Survey's award for Best Overall U.S. Airline in the Premier category, and the 2001 Diamond Award for In-Flight Service from Onboard Services magazine. Hawaiian was also rated third highest in Travel & Leisure magazine's most recent ranking of the Top 10 U.S. Airlines.
Additional information on Hawaiian Airlines, including previously issued company news releases, is available on the airline's Web site at www.hawaiianair.com.