Hawaiian Airlines New Meal Program Starting Dec. 1, will introduce new elements in both food and fashion by launching a new meal program for its North American routes from local chefs and new uniform designs by a local designer. I was unable to attend this event in person due to childcare issues, however Hawaiian Airlines was kind enough to send me information on the new program as well as photos. Most photos are compliments of Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaii Mom Blog, and will be noted as such.
Hawaiian Airlines has been our number one airline to fly to Hawaii because everything from ease of check-in, customer service, hospitality, comfort and overall experience every time we fly to the islands. I joked with my husband when we got married that one of my vows was we would always live in a city where Hawaiian Airlines has direct flights to the islands. Priorities, right? I mean who wouldn't want to be one plane ride away from this?
Gorgeous day at Waikiki beach and Iconic Diamond Head in the background.
One thing I have always loved about Hawaiian Airlines is that they have always had complimentary meals for all cabins. In fact, they are the only trans-pacific carrier to offer complimentary meals for over three decades now. 5-7 hour flights from the west coast usually means a meal or two during the flight. Or just lots of snacks if you ask my 7 year old. Hawaiian has always had the best in-flight meals that I have ever had. I know most people think that airline food isn't that great, but I beg to differ. Especially when flying home from Maui 2 years ago and my kids devour their teriyaki meatballs, rice and salad and tell me I need to ask the airline pilot for the recipe. I had to explain how the pilot didn't make it but professional chefs hired to create meals specifically for the airline. These complimentary in flight meals also made it easier for us to not have to worry about packing food and saving room in carryons for books, toys, anything to keep the kids occupied. Knowing that the food is good and that our kids will eat it definitely is a bonus when flying Hawaiian.
Guests in the main cabin on Hawaiian flights between Hawaii and Western U.S. gateway cities will be treated to complimentary meal service exclusively created for the airline’s new Pau Hāna Café brand. The new service, based on guest feedback, is being launched in preparation for the roll-out of Hawaiian’s new fleet of A321neo aircraft early next year. The Pau Hāna Cafe meals made exclusively for the airline will consist of a continental breakfast box for brunch, hot sandwich and side for lunch. Brunch boxes will consist of fruit flavored yogurt, granola, grapes and savory mini loaf. Lunch boxes will consist of warm teriyaki chicken sandwich with caramelized onions and a bag of Tim's sweet Maui onion chips. Pau Hāna is Hawaiian for "finished work". Meaning it's time to relax, grab something to eat or drink. Perfect name for these meals while sitting back and enjoying the flight to Hawaii.
The meal service is followed by coffee and dessert and later on in the flights a parting Mahalo service of cocktails, featuring my fave, Koloa Rum's Koloa Breeze Cocktail ( for 21 and up passengers with proper ID only) and their signature Pau Hana snack mix. My kids LOVE the snack mix and always ask for extras so they can have at home for snacks. I am telling you, my kids dig Hawaiian airlines food!
Flight attendant serving a passenger the signature Koloa Breeze cocktail. She is also wearing the new uniforms by Hilo based designer Sig Zane. The print theme of the new uniforms is called Ku Makou Hawaiian for Together We Stand, and is represented by lehua blossom and bamboo stamps. It's a gorgeous new uniform.
When I was younger I wanted to work for Hawaiian Airlines because they had the best uniforms, got to wear flowers being their ears and flew around and to and from Hawaii. My best friend wanted to work for them as well but she was too short ( at the time there was a height requirement, not sure if there still is now) and she was too short to be a flight attendant. We wanted to work together so we never pursued it. Too bad. I think I would have looked good in these uniforms!
First Class passengers will be treated to menu creations by Chef Wade Ueoka of MW restaurant and Chef Chai Chaowasaree. Passengers on flights travelling from Hawaii to North America will be treated to Chef Wade Ueoka's newest creations.
Chef Wade's menu will be available through June 2018. Some of the offerings are a beef and Portuguese sausage meatloaf entrée with homestyle gravy, sauteed mushrooms, potatoes and Kale ( top photo). Jidori chicken salad with a slaw of umbok, carrots kai choi and a soy mustard vinaigrette.
Chef Wade's vegetarian appetizer offering is a Cold Tofu Salad with Kimchi, Watercress, Kaiware sprouts and Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette. Here is Chef Wade talking about his background in the restaurant industry and about the new menus:
Flights from North America to Hawaii will be served dishes by Hawaiian Airlines Executive Chef Chai Chaowasaree. Some of his offerings are a Seared Ahi with Salmon Poke Dip Appetizer -
Grilled Sriracha Chicken with Sauteed Ginger, Leek and Spinach Entrée. My kind of meal.
Pretty impressive meals for airline food. Hawaiian Airlines always had excellent meals and they have stepped their game up even more with these offerings from Chef Wade and Chef Chai with their creations for Hawaiian Airlines New Meal Program. I cannot wait for my next trip to Hawaii. It will be a delicious flight on our way to paradise!
Thank you to Hawaiian Airlines and HawaiiMomBlog.com for images for this post on Hawaiian Airlines New Meal Program and Designer Uniforms.
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