Hawaiian Airlines’ new Travel Pono program is dedicated to protecting the people and environment of Hawaii.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort offers cultural lessons.
As destination carrier, Hawaiian Airlines he has always had a special connection to the islands and their people. But recently, the company made a commitment to sustainable travel and helping the natural environment with its Travel Pono (explore with care) program. I spent a week learning about your new initiative and am inspired to share the experience.
Hawaiian Airlines flies high with its new Travel Pono initiative.
With 90% of its employees calling the Aloha State home, the company felt it was important to take responsibility for preserving natural resources and helping its guests gain a deeper connection to Hawaii through cultural experiences. Along with in-flight videos highlighting the importance of ocean and hiking safety, endangered species conservation, and local cultural practices, Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with Jason Momoa’s water company, mananaluto replace plastic water bottles with aluminum in its Premium cabins, and with Conservation International to encourage guests to offset the carbon footprint of travel.
Kahala Pool and Beach
On land, I was looking forward to visiting National Support, a non-profit organization located in the lush heart of Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, that is committed to land restoration and cultural conservation work. Hawaiian Airlines employees have volunteered here for years, and visitors to the islands can participate in educational tours and volunteer days to help with the lo’i (a patch of water taro). A lot of Yeah and other farm-grown items are grown by small Hawaiian farmers and used by local chefs.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort’s nursery, where guests can choose a tree to plant in the Kahala Legacy Forest.
The first hotel associated with Hawaiian Airlines that I visit, turtle bay resort, actively participates in efforts to preserve the natural environment and foster the local community. His impressive 1,300-acre estate encompasses 650 acres of permanently assigned conservation space; I take a golf cart ride to Kahuku Point, where the resort is currently removing invasive ironwood trees to restore sand dunes. In the evening, dinner is served at Alaia, the resort’s elegant restaurant serving a modern take on Hawaiian comfort food, where produce is sourced directly from on-site Kuilima Farm, a partner of right pacific with the aim of promoting sustainable food production.
Aerial view of Turtle Bay Resort, Ocean Club lounge and pool lounge.
Another Hawaiian Airlines partner is Kahala Hotel & Resort, where Joe Ibarra, its first native Hawaiian hotel manager, is passionate about the role the resort plays in maintaining Hawaiian culture. I join a couple of classes that are offered to guests: learning how to string a lei and common weaving, a program sponsored by the hotel’s KISCA initiative for sustainability, culture and the arts.
Aerial view of Turtle Bay Resort, Ocean Club lounge and pool lounge.
The hotel also partners with O’ahu non-profit organizations to provide volunteer opportunities for guests and is committed to planting endemic milo trees in butt ranch on the North Shore for his reforestation project. Their hope is that, together, guests and residents can continue to preserve the beautiful islands and land conservation (caring for the land).
Aerial view of Turtle Bay Resort, Ocean Club lounge and pool lounge.
Photograph by: PLANO PHOTO COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES; PHOTO OF NURSERY COURTESY OF KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT; PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT; PHOTOS OF TURTLE BAY COURTESY OF TURTLE BAY RESORT