Hawaiian Airlines Inc.
12/17/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2024 14:00
A Journey with Purpose: 5Qs with Daniel Chun and the Thinking Behind Huakaʻi by Hawaiian
It's been a month since the launch of Hawaiian Airlines' Huakaʻi by Hawaiian® program, an exclusive travel membership for kama'āina (Hawai'i residents). The free program has been received with open arms by the more than 100,000 HawaiianMiles members across the state who have signed up for it.
Huaka'i members enjoy a free checked bag - inclusive of surfboards, golf bags and other sports equipment - on Neighbor Island flights, one Neighbor Island travel discount per quarter (10% for all members, and 20% for Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® cardmembers) and the inside scoop on network-wide deals.
Huakaʻi members will receive their first discount code tomorrow, Dec. 18, for travel starting Jan. 8 and beyond. Beginning on March 1 of next year, discounts - which can be applied to one-way or roundtrip tickets in Coach and First Class - will be emailed on the first day of the month before each new quarter.
Daniel Chun, regional vice president of Hawai'i for Alaska Airlines, shares his insight about the vision for the program.
What was the process behind coming up with the benefits of Huakaʻi by Hawaiian?
As a combined airline, we wanted a purposeful travel program that met the needs of kama'āina, who rely on Neighbor Island flights to connect with family, community and other resources. Our goal was to launch this offering as soon as possible following the completion of our merger to deliver immediate benefits to our local guests.
Our thoughtful approach began with brainstorming a long list of ideas and gathering feedback from a broad range of residents statewide. We conducted consumer surveys, studied travel behaviors, and engaged our Hawai'i Community Advisory Board (HICAB), a group of 16 leaders throughout the Hawaiian Islands who provide key input to ensure local needs inform our business and service.
Members of the Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board
This research identified focal points for improving the kama'āina Neighbor Island travel experience, with affordability and baggage allowances being the most notable takeaways. Huakaʻi by Hawaiian prioritizes and addresses those concerns for our kama'āina.
Alaska Airlines offers a similar program to Alaska residents. How has that program been utilized over the years and how did its success influence the development of Huakaʻi?
Communities in Alaska and Hawai'i are uniquely reliant on air travel and have relied on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to stay connected to family and friends, essential services and supplies, medical care and more. In October 2011, Alaska Airlines launched Club 49® - a nod to the 49th state - exclusively to residents who also benefit from free checked bags and travel discounts when traveling within Alaska.
Like Huaka'i by Hawaiian, Club 49 has made travel more accessible for Alaskans, and nearly every Alaska Mileage Plan member residing in the state is a member. Club 49's success and popularity gave us a high degree of confidence in the positive role Huaka'i by Hawaiian could play and how it would be received by kama'āina.
Why launch a resident program like this?
As Hawai'i's hometown carrier for 95 years and counting, Hawaiian Airlines has played an indispensable role in serving communities throughout the Islands. As I noted previously, Alaska Airlines has played a similar role for the state of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest for 92 years. So, this program demonstrates our combined company's expanded commitment to Hawai'i and the responsibility Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now share in connecting the Islands to the world.
The word "Huaka'i" means a journey with purpose, and we know that our Neighbor Island flights are more than an A-to-B service; they reunite families, take people to doctor's appointments, carry critical cargo, support local entrepreneurs, get folks to and from work and so much more. This program is foundational in keeping vital air transportation accessible, bridging our island communities and stimulating the local economy.
Huaka'i by Hawaiian is our expression of gratitude and our way to extend a warm mahalo to kama'āina for their loyalty and continued support of Hawaiian Airlines.
Do you expect Huaka'i by Hawaiian to evolve? How will you gather feedback as you further the program's development?
Like every element of our business and the guest experience, we always want to know how we're doing and what could make our service even better. We will actively solicit feedback in post-flight surveys, interact with our guests through our social channels and continue engagement with key local stakeholders, including our HICAB.
Our North Star with Huaka'i by Hawaiian is to provide travel benefits that are special and meaningful for Hawai'i residents - but also sustainable for our combined airline's long-term success.
HICAB leaders played a significant role in this program. How will that group be involved as more improvements are considered and implemented?
HICAB has played and will continue to play a tremendous role in our combined companyʻs future. Shortly after we announced the combination of Hawaiian and Alaska late last year, we formed this important group to enable a stronger connection between both brands and Hawai'i's communities. We modeled this after the community advisory board that Alaska has had in the state of Alaska for the past 40 years to help us remain deeply connected to communities that greatly depend on our service.
Members of the Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board and the Alaska Community Advisory Board
The HICAB meets quarterly to share insights into our local community's needs and preferences to ensure that our local operations, services and initiatives resonate with Hawaiʻi residents. In the years ahead, they will support us and guide our decisions around Huaka'i and other areas of our business.