Hawaiian Airlines Takes Hawaiian Language Beyond the Islands by Introducing Bilingual Flight Experiences and Employee Training at Mainland Airports

Written By: Prasan Das

Prasan Das

I am a journalist with a passion for reporting on the ever-evolving travel and tourism industry. As a journalist at Travel And Tour World, I cover a wide range of topics, including emerging travel trends, destination developments, aviation, hospitality, and the global events shaping tourism. Through thorough research and engaging storytelling, I aim to deliver accurate, insightful, and accessible reporting that keeps readers informed while highlighting the destinations, businesses, and innovations transforming the future of travel.

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March 10, 2025 20:26 GMT+5:30

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Hawaiian Airlines celebrates Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with bilingual flights, language workshops, cultural exchanges, and aviation career programs across cities.

Hawaiian Airlines embraced Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month) with a powerful commitment to preserving and promoting the Hawaiian language through community engagement, bilingual flights, and cultural education. In collaboration with Alaska Airlines, the initiative centered around the concept of “launa,” meaning to connect or socialize, fostering meaningful relationships among employees, travelers, and the broader community.

Celebrating ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with Language Workshops and Cultural Activities

Throughout February, Hawaiian Airlines hosted expert-led Hawaiian language (ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi) workshops, offering employees and volunteers an immersive opportunity to engage with the language in an interactive and meaningful way. Unlike traditional instructional methods, the workshops focused on intervention learning, emphasizing how language plays a vital role in community-building.

Additionally, Team Kōkua, Hawaiian Airlines’ community volunteer initiative, organized events to integrate ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into everyday workplace and travel interactions. Employees had the chance to strengthen their language skills while engaging with passengers and fellow team members, further embedding Hawaiian culture into the airline’s service approach.

Expanding Hawaiian Language Initiatives to Seattle and Anchorage

For the first time, Hawaiian Airlines extended its bilingual celebrations beyond Hawaiʻi, bringing Hawaiian language integration to its operations in Seattle, Washington, and Anchorage, Alaska.

• Passengers on select flights received special language cards, encouraging them to order in Hawaiian, sparking cultural exchanges and fostering appreciation for the native language.
• Employees from both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines attended language lessons at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) and Anchorage International Airport, allowing them to incorporate ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into their daily work environments.

A notable milestone was the bilingual flight HA30 from Kahului, Maui, to Seattle on February 18, which featured a full crew trained in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Announcements during the flight and at the gate were delivered in both Hawaiian and English, reinforcing the airline’s dedication to cultural representation.

This historic flight was followed by a cultural exchange program at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where Hawaiian Airlines employees and Alaska Native representatives shared knowledge of their respective indigenous languages and traditions.

Mele and Oli: The Power of Hawaiian Music and Chanting

Music and traditional Hawaiian chanting were central to the month-long celebration. Hawaiian Airlines invited cultural experts to lead mele (song) and oli (chant) workshops, enhancing employees’ understanding of Hawaiian oral traditions.

• Keliʻi Ruth, a renowned Native Hawaiian chanter and PhD candidate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, guided a workshop on the historical and spiritual significance of oli.
• Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, a respected musician and nonprofit founder, conducted sessions on Hawaiian music composition, offering employees a deeper appreciation for the cultural narratives embedded in Hawaiian songs.

These interactive workshops empowered Hawaiian Airlines employees to embrace cultural expression and weave it into their professional and personal lives.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Hawaiian Language Speakers

Recognizing the importance of cultural preservation among future generations, Hawaiian Airlines hosted Aviation ʻIke (Knowledge), a career exploration event for students from Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School. Conducted entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the program introduced eight students to aviation professionals, inspiring them to pursue careers in the industry while reinforcing the value of Hawaiian language fluency in professional settings.

To further support language revitalization efforts, Hawaiian Airlines donated $2,500 to Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Hawaiian culture through mele and storytelling.

Interactive Community Engagement and Prizes

Hawaiian Airlines also engaged families and younger generations through creative activities designed to promote the use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi:

• Team Kōkua volunteers organized arts and crafts stations, featuring Hawaiian language translation worksheets and coloring pages with Airbus A330 aircraft parts labeled in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.
• To encourage participation, attendees had the opportunity to win 15,000 HawaiianMiles through a special raffle that celebrated and promoted Hawaiʻi’s native language.

A Commitment to Cultural Connection

Hawaiian Airlines’ Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi initiatives reflect its deep commitment to language preservation, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections. By integrating ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into its workspaces, flights, and community outreach, the airline continues to serve as a champion of Hawaiian heritage, ensuring that Hawaiian language and traditions remain vibrant for generations to come.