Letters to the Editor

Columnists

Viewpoints

Opinion

Ralph S. Cushnie

James Morioka1

James Morioka

Tamara McKay

Pritchett photo 300 dpi square

John Pritchett

Ka Wai Ola Staff

HPU Provost and SVP Alan Shoho Headshot

Alan Shoho

B Camara

Bobby Camara

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Interisland and international travelers flying on Hawaiian Airlines, take note: changes are coming.

Daily supplemental service between Honolulu and Kahului take flight Oct. 3 on Alaska Airlines-branded 737-800 aircraft, Hawaiian 

dditional Neighbor Island passenger and cargo capacity connecting the company’s two largest Hawaiʻi hubs while helping maintain the schedule, reliability and frequency that residents, visitors and businesses depend on every day," the post reads.

Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. 

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time. The acquisition was 

 and efforts to combine the two airlines are still underway.

"Right now, just given where we are with integration, that airplane has to stay in the Alaska brand, but it really is to make sure that we're giving as much capacity and flight frequency as we need to for our guests," Hawaiian Airlines CEO 

Although you'll see the 737 on three Honolulu-Kahului roundtrips, Hawaiian's fleet of 717 aircraft will continue to serve all Neighbor Islands with some 140 daily flights, the airline says, but adds that Hawaiian is set to retire its 717 fleet in 2028 and transition to a "more modern, Hawaiian Airlines-branded 737 Neighbor Island service" that will feature premium interiors and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Also beginning Oct. 3, Neighbor Island guests must check in online or via the Alaska Hawaiian app and drop off checked bags at least 50 minutes before departure — up from 30 minutes.

Nearly all Hawaiian Airlines Neighbor Island travelers already check in 50 minutes before departure, and the earlier check-in will help improve baggage handling and support on-time departures," Hawaiian said in the online announcement.

According to the airline, guests traveling to Kahului on 737 aircraft will continue to check bags at Terminal 1, Lobby 3, using self-service bag-tag stations, while guests traveling from Kahului to Honolulu on the aircraft should visit Alaska's counters for check-in services and bag drop.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian is set to combine check-in and bag drop for all international departures at Terminal 2, Lobby 4, beginning on Oct. 3.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"More changes on the horizon"}]

 to invest in the premium travel experience for both the Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines brands.

For Hawaiian, that means new interiors for its A330 widebody aircraft, a fleet of 24 that serves destinations in Asia, Oceania and select North America routes, a recent announcement from the airline noted. That work begins in 2028 and includes 22 Leihōkū Suites for travelers on international business class and domestic first-class flights, that announcement noted. The updates are part of Hawaiian’s $600 million Kahu’ewai Hawai’i Investment Plan, which was 

As part of broader investments in core guest experiences, Alaska Air Group also will introduce premium reserve, a new premium economy cabin that debuts in 2028 on Alaska's 787-9, 787-10 and select 737-10 MAX aircraft, and on Hawaiian’s A330 fleet, “providing guests with more room, comfort and choice on longer flights,” the announcement said.

FUSE B717 over clouds

<title>More changes ahead for Hawaiian Airlines' interisland, international travelers</title>

Daily supplemental service between Honolulu and Kahului take flight Oct. 3 on Alaska Airlines-branded 737-800 aircraft, among other changes.

More changes ahead for Hawaiian Airlines' interisland, international travelers

Fliers taking to Hawai‘i skies will soon notice some changes to the Hawaiian Airlines experience.

Parent company Alaska Air Group on Tuesday unveiled plans to invest in the premium travel experience for both the Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines brands.

For Hawaiian, that means new interiors for its A330 widebody aircraft, a fleet of 24 that serves destinations in Asia, Oceania and select North America routes, an announcement from the airline noted. That work begins in 2028 and includes 22 Leihōkū Suites for travelers on international business class and domestic first-class flights, the announcement says.

The updates are part of Hawaiian’s $600 million Kahu’ewai Hawai’i Investment Plan, which was 

That plan includes a number of items including the “tip-to-tail refurbishment” of the airline’s A330 fleet, a new lounge in Honolulu and updated gate spaces at the airports Hawaiian serves across the Islands, Hawaiian Airlines CEO 

The refurbishment of the A330s is “an interior refresh, tip to tail,” she says. “So Main Cabin all the way through the front of the airplane – new seats, new finishes, new everything. The strategy there is those are great airplanes, but the interiors are a little bit tired and this is the kind of investment that we’re able to make now that we’re a combined airline with some more resources for investments like this.”

As part of broader investments in core guest experiences, Alaska Air Group also will introduce premium reserve, a new premium economy cabin that debuts in 2028 on Alaska's 787-9, 787-10 and select 737-10 MAX aircraft, and on Hawaiian’s A330 fleet, “providing guests with more room, comfort and choice on longer flights,” the announcement notes.

These seats will be available for purchase next summer and will roll out in 2028 on both Alaska and Hawaiian fleets.

According to the airline, there will be 28 premium reserve seats on the A330 aircraft offering more space, enhanced recline and a leg and calf rest, among other features.

The addition means there will be four cabin options for fliers: Leihōkū Suites on Hawaiian flights or Aurora Suites on Alaska flights, premium reserve, premium class and the main cabin.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"More about the Leihōkū"}]

According to the announcement, Leihōkū, which means “lei of stars,” is inspired by early Polynesian navigation and wayfinding.

Leihōkū Suites guests will have access to an exclusive check-in and concierge service in Honolulu and Seattle; direct aisle access, lie-flat seating and privacy doors; a 19-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless and USB-C charging, and AC power; curated dining by local chefs with wine pairings; hotel-quality bedding-and enhanced onboard amenities; and Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members.

Hawaiian Airlines Executive Chef Dell Valdez will continue to shape menus for Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites and first-class cabins, the announcement notes.

(ICYMI: The airline also did away with complimentary meals in the main cabin of most domestic flights this summer, 

 on most flights between the Islands and the Mainland with a menu curated by Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon).

And at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, a new 13,000-square-foot Hawaiian Airlines lounge is set to open at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1, offering seating to 200 guests; locally inspired food and drinks, including a signature local coffee experience and full-service bar; private workspaces; and art and installations by local artists, the announcement notes.

[{"type":"text","text":"The lounge is expected to open in early 2028."}]

But why is it important for Hawaiian to make these investments in the travel experience, especially on the heels of the airlines’ combination?

“We know that guests love Hawaiian Airlines,” Birkett Rakow told ASD. “We’ve been able to expand reach. We’ve been able to deepen loyalty and expand the value of the loyalty program, and this is really the logical additional component, which is making sure that the guest experience is as remarkable as it should be. The onboard product and the airports are, in many cases, a guest’s first impression of Hawai’i, either on board the aircraft or getting off, or the first chance to welcome kama

ina home, and our crews do a phenomenal job of taking care of our guests and really bringing the brand to life. We want to provide them an environment that matches the quality of their service.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Atmos Rewards"}]

 for both Hawaiian and Alaska airlines, is also set to expand. Here’s are some of the changes you should know about:

Beginning Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards members can choose how to earn points and status points on flights that depart on or after Jan. 1, 2027: by distance traveled, paid price or segments flown, a second announcement from the airlines noted.

Current members who don’t make a selection will continue earning based on the distance traveled, while new members who join on or after Jan. 1 will default to earning based on price paid, the announcement says. You can change your earning choice once per calendar year.

Also on Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards will expand from two resident-focused communities – Club 49 and Huaka

i by Hawaiian – to six that offer options related to international travel, family travel, outdoor adventure and culinary experiences, according to the announcement.

Those six Communities – Global Locals, Families on the Go, Culinary Journeys, Active 

 “connect members to relevant offers and benefits based on how they travel, where they live and what they enjoy,” the announcement says, noting that benefits will range from free bags, exclusive flight deals, bonus-point challenges, partner offers and 20% off select Atmos Rewards Unlocked experiences to other perks and expanded resident benefits for Club 49 and Huaka

A new Atmos Rewards debit card is set to debut in early 2027 and will offer another way to earn Atmos Rewards points and status points along with other benefits, including a choice of card designs, flight and onboard purchase discounts, free points sharing, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to pay some account fees with points, the announcement noted. Pre-register 

Beginning Nov. 2, Platinum and Titanium Atmos Rewards members will be able to bring eligible children and one companion into Premium Class on a complimentary basis when space is available.

Next Year, customers with eligible Bank of America card products also will be able to transfer points into Atmos Rewards, the announcement says. The airline also plans to refresh its Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card, issued by Bank of America, later this year.

Hawaiian A330 Leihoku Suites rendering 001

<title>Hawaiian Airlines to launch Leihōkū</title>

The Leihōkū experience will be anchored by updates to Hawaiian's Airbus A330 fleet.

Hawaiian Airlines to launch Leihōkū

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

After the abolition of the kapu system in 1819, many heiau were damaged or dismantled. Some of their ki‘i (god images) were destroyed, while others were hidden or taken into private collections. For a long time, Hawaiian history was relegated to books, Hawaiian-language newspapers, and word of mouth.

Restoring an ancient Hawaiian site is about much more than putting stones back where they once stood. These places can tell us how generations of Hawaiians lived, farmed, worshipped, and cared for the ‘āina. They give us something tangible to learn from, especially when so much of the physical landscape has changed.

When places like these are respectfully restored, it can help Hawaiians reclaim and preserve a meaningful part of their cultural heritage. It can also provide a space where younger generations can learn about their ancestors, traditional practices, and the responsibilities that come with caring for wahi pana (storied places).

Despite its current dry, rugged environment, Mākaha Valley once contained settlements of people among an agricultural landscape. Investigations have documented hundreds of archaeological features throughout the valley, including stone walls, terraces, and water-diversion structures that allowed the cultivation of hardy crops like ‘uala (sweet potatoes) and uhi (yams). Archaeological evidence shows that people lived in the valley as early as AD 1120, based in part on radiocarbon dating.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kāneʻākī Heiau was an important part of that landscape."}]

While the abandonment of traditional kapu caused many heiau to be destroyed or fall into disrepair, Kāne‘ākī was once documented as one of the best-preserved heiau on O‘ahu. Perhaps its location in the very back of Mākaha Valley offered some protection. Later archaeological work showed researchers that Kāne‘ākī was not built all at once. Instead, it developed through six recognizable construction stages, beginning with a simple temple dedicated to Lono and agriculture and becoming progressively larger and more elaborate.

Researchers believe the final transformation and expansion of Kāne‘ākī occurred under Kamehameha I, who may have ordered its transition to a luakini (sacrificial) heiau dedicated to Kū. He may have done this to ensure victory in his final conquest of Kaua‘i.

Modern restoration of Kāne‘ākī began in 1969 under the supervision of Bishop Museum, with support from the Mākaha Historical Foundation. Because no surviving detailed description or drawing showed exactly what the haieu looked like, those who led the restoration process had to rely on knowledge of other heiau and the archaeological remains found in the valley. Pu‘ukoholā Heiau served as a model for some of the hale (houses) and ki‘i (images), while postholes discovered in the original stone platform supported the placement of the structures.

The reconstruction was completed in 1970, but the efforts were not just about bringing a forgotten ruin back to life. Projects like these are about allowing the mana (spiritual essence) of this wahi pana to tell its own history.

Today, Kāneʻākī Heiau is located within Mauna ʻOlu Estates, a private, gated community in Mākaha Valley. Although the site still holds cultural significance for the Hawaiian community, outsiders have limited access to the heiau and need permission to go beyond the gates. Still, its location within a modern residential community is simply another chapter in the valley’s long history.

Places like this often have stories that linger, and Kāneʻākī is no exception. Alongside its archaeological and cultural history are accounts of unusual experiences connected with the heiau and the surrounding valley. And that brings us to another chapter in the story of Kāneʻākī.

A woman who attended one of our tours a few years ago told me she lived in the gated community of Mauna ‘Olu Estates. She explained that one night, while she was home alone, she heard an unusual pounding sound. She said despite what anyone else suggested, she knew it wasn’t simply a car playing loud music on huge speakers with the bass pounding.

But the sound she heard was a cacophony of drums that felt like they were pulsating right in her ears. Then it became cavernous, like it was fading into the depths of a well with no bottom. Then another wave came; as soon as one drum sound faded, another rose right on top of it.

The sound kept going until it crashed through her living room and went through the front door. It felt like she’d been in a tornado, except when she looked around, nothing was out of order. She thought she’d lost her mind and told her husband once he got home. Because there was no physical evidence to support what his wife described, her husband found it hard to believe her. That is, until later in the year, when it happened a second time. This time the woman’s husband was home, and he experienced the dramatic crashing sound of deep cavernous drums himself.

But the husband’s experience was a little different. He said he also heard men’s voices speaking in an urgent tone. The husband is not from Hawai‘i, so he didn’t recognize the language, but based on a few sounds he was able to mimic, his wife believed it was Hawaiian.

She had no idea that Kāne‘ākī Heiau was at the back of the valley. I briefly explained some of the history of the heiau, and she sighed, as if the wind had been knocked out of her sails.

[{"type":"text","text":"“That would explain it,” she muttered."}]

Her description sounds like she and her husband encountered the huaka‘i pō. Their tale corroborates stories I’ve been told by some elders in Mākaha about the night marchers’ procession that walked through the valley long before Mauna ‘Olu Estates was originally developed.

The woman contacted me a month later, saying that she and her husband went up to visit Kāne‘ākī Heiau, where she brought flower lei that she made herself. With her lei and a prayer, she said she had nothing to do with where her house was built and that she and her husband meant no disrespect in living there. Then, as they walked back to their home, they noticed that many of the houses had stone walls around their properties that looked hand-set, like the ones at Kāne‘ākī.

She asked me, “Do you think the heiau still has influence over this neighborhood?”

Who’s to say, really? Whatever mana they may encounter could be from the heiau, or it might be from hundreds of years of life and death in that quiet valley on the west side of O‘ahu.

Kii at kaneaki 2010

<title>Drums of Kāne‘ākī</title>

In the back of Mākaha Valley stands Kāneʻākī Heiau, a temple built and enlarged many times by Native Hawaiians and restored in 1969. It is believed to have started out as devoted to the god Lono and agriculture, and King Kamehameha dedicated it to Kū, god of war. The heiau is difficult to access now, surrounded by the gated community of Mauna ʻOlu Estates, but residents there report that it has ways of making its presence known.

Drums of Kāne‘ākī

AKINA portrait 2

Keliʻi Akina

Government & Politics

I Stock Lahaina Paul Venus

Community Voices: Lahaina future brighter, but keep pedal to the metal

First, local government shut down restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic. Then the federal government offered them relief money to partially make up for their losses. Then state government taxed that relief as revenue. A bill in the Hawai‘i state legislature would undo that last step.

3 15 25 highway inn scaled

Community Voices: Legislature poised to fix a state wrong?

It's not just big developers who have to pay these fees, which add to the cost of housing, even individuals adding an ADU have to come up with thousands of dollars.

I Stock 1338737484

Community Voices: Let’s close the book on school impact fees

Recently, there has been momentum in Congress to revisit the law, which for more than a hundred years has been limiting shipping competition between U.S. ports and had an outsized negative impact on the residents of Hawai‘i and other U.S. states and territories who rely heavily on waterborne transportation for their imports.

I Stock 2163516381 16x9

Community Voices: Kōloa Rum challenge could be what kills the Jones Act

Real Estate

More than 2,500 non-residential and 100,000 residential structures in Hawai‘i were built between 1970 and 1980, and they are aging into the historic category, triggering lengthy reviews by the Hawaiʻi State Historic Preservation Division before owners can change or replace them.

2 19 25 old kapahulu home 2

Community Viewpoint: If we’re not careful, nearly everything will become ‘historic’

Hawai‘i is operating under multiple emergency orders from the Governor's office, often extended over years, for pressing problems that can and should be handled by the ordinary democratic process.

Emergency i Stock

Community Voices: Political problems not the same as true emergencies

At least 60 potential tax hikes could be on the table.

Hawaii State Capitol

Community Viewpoint: New tax proposals piling up at Legislature

Keli‘i Akina, Ph.D., is president and CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i.