The public is invited to enjoy a day of exploration at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo today as part of Hawaiian Airlines’ ongoing 85th anniversary celebration.
The public is invited to enjoy a day of exploration at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo today as part of Hawaiian Airlines’ ongoing 85th anniversary celebration.
Free admission to the center will be offered to residents islandwide from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All of the center’s exhibits will be available for viewing, as well as a special exhibit showcasing parts of the airline’s history. Weather permitting, Hawaiian Airlines also will offer free rides on the airline’s restored 1929 Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker.
“Hilo holds an important place in our company’s history and in the history of commercial aviation in our state,” said Ann Botticelli, Hawaiian Airlines senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs. “Hawaii’s first interisland passenger service was launched on Nov. 11, 1929, with flights to Hilo and Ma‘alaea on Maui. This celebration is our way of honoring a relationship we’ve treasured for 85 years.”
The October event is the second in a three-month-long anniversary celebration.
In September, Hawaiian Airlines unveiled a memorial wall at Kahului Airport on Maui, honoring Capt. James Bertram Hogg, the pilot whose name was used for the airport’s three-letter code (OGG). In November, Hawaiian Airlines’ Team Kokua volunteer brigade will participate in statewide community service projects. Those projects are:
• Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project, Nov. 8, Hawaii Island.
• The Maui Farm, Nov. 15, Maui.
• Hui O Ka Lo‘i Pa‘akai, Nov. 15, Kauai.
• ‘Ewa Railway Park, Nov. 15, Oahu.
On Nov. 11, 1929, Inter-Island Airways (the company changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines in 1941) launched Hawaii’s first-ever scheduled interisland air passenger service using two Sikorsky S-38 amphibian propeller planes that carried eight passengers and two crewmembers, and had a top cruising speed of 110 miles per hour.
The company’s inaugural flight 85 years ago from Honolulu to Hilo (with a stop on Maui), took one hour and 40 minutes. The first flight to Kauai was made the following day and all the Hawaiian Islands soon were receiving air service on a regular basis.
Along with being Hawaii’s first commercial airline, Hawaiian Airlines’ 85-year history of service has featured several other notable achievements, including:
• Introducing airmail and air cargo service to the Hawaiian Islands in 1934.
• Becoming America’s first federally certified air cargo carrier in 1942.
• Introducing Hawaii’s first aircraft with pressurized passenger cabins in 1952.
• Introducing Hawaii’s first interisland jet aircraft in 1966.
• Becoming the nation’s first airline to operate a commercial flight with an all-female flight crew in 1979.
• Being the first Hawaii-based airline to offer scheduled service between Hawaii and the mainland in 1985.
Today, Hawaiian Airlines’ route network encompasses six of the eight Hawaiian Islands, as well as 12 international and 11 mainland destinations. Hawaiian Airlines operates a fleet of 50 aircraft. Hawaiian Airlines will have four more A330s joining the fleet by the end of 2015. By the end of year 2020, the airline plans to have 22 A330s total and 16 new narrow body A321 NEO aircraft. The airline will begin taking delivery of six new A330-800neo aircraft in 2019.
Hawaiian Airlines Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings Inc. More information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com.