Alaska Airlines creates Hawai'i Community Advisory Board to deepen local ties

New advisory board will enable a stronger connection with Hawai'i communities

HONOLULU, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to continue cultivating a deep and enduring relationship with local Hawai'i communities, Alaska Airlines announced today the establishment of the Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board (HICAB). The HICAB will support Alaska's ongoing commitment to developing a true and authentic understanding of Hawai'i's people and culture as the airline combines with Hawaiian Airlines – honoring the legacy and significance of this beloved brand and reinforcing Alaska's expanded role in Hawai'i.

"For over four decades, we have had a Community Advisory Board in the state of Alaska to seek input from communities across the state," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO. "Over the years, this exchange of ideas and information has helped us remain deeply connected to communities across a vast region that, like in Hawai'i, are uniquely reliant on air travel. The CAB functions to ensure that our business and service are informed by local needs. We have been proud to serve Hawai'i for over 16 years, but we know we have more to learn and feel a great responsibility to serve the people of Hawai'i for generations to come."

The 16-member HICAB represents Alaska Airlines guests in Hawai'i by diversity of gender, ethnicity and industry sector, including non-profit, education, healthcare, business, tourism and agriculture. The board also ensures geographic diversity with members from each of the main Hawaiian Islands who will serve either two- or three-year staggered terms. The HICAB will be a corporate and community sounding board for Alaska in Hawai'i, providing feedback and recommendations on Alaska's business approaches and initiatives, local current events, and community investment needs.

The inaugural HICAB members are: 

• Paula Akana – President & CEO, The Friends of ʻIolani Palace
• Nāʻalehu Anthony – Founder, Palikū Documentary Films
• Todd Apo – VP, Community Partnerships & Public Affairs, Hawai'i Community Foundation
• Rosie Davis – Executive Director, Huli Au Ola, Maui County Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
• Stephanie Donoho – Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association
• Art Gladstone – EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Hawai'i Pacific Health
• Hōkūlani Holt – Director of Kahōkūala, Hawaiian Cultural Arts Institute, UH Maui College
• Stephanie Iona – Community Outreach Manager, Kekaha Agriculture Association
• Meli James – Cofounder, Mana Up
• Valerie Janikowski – Program Administrator, Lānaʻi Kinaʻole
• Kūhiō Lewis – CEO, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
• Colbert Matsumoto – Chairman, Tradewind Group
• Ben Rafter – President & CEO, Springboard Hospitality
• Trisha Kēhaulani Watson-Sproat – President, Honua Consulting
• Jayson Watts –  Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Mahi Pono
• Kūhaʻo Zane – COO & Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs & SZKaiao Creative

"The HICAB will be instrumental in shaping the future of Alaska Airlines in Hawai'i," said Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines Regional Vice President, Hawai'i. "Their insights into our local community's needs and preferences will guide our decision-making, ensuring that our services and initiatives not only resonate with Hawaiʻi residents, but also foster sustainable growth."

For more information on Alaska's combination with Hawaiian Airlines, visit our joint website at https://localcareglobalreach.com/.

About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico. We offer our guests a premium flying experience with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program, Mileage Plan. With our fellow oneworld Alliance members and additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.

SOURCE ALASKA AIRLINES