The airline's signature authentic hospitality will showcase the best of Hawai'i's cuisine, music and attractions

HONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines is unveiling a suite of enhancements to its signature Mea Ho'okipa (translation: I am host) in-flight service for guests traveling from Japan to Hawai'i, including a new collaboration with renowned local Chef Lee Anne Wong, owner of island favorite Koko Head Café.

Starting today, Main Cabin and Business Class travelers will be treated to the best of modern Hawai'i cuisine before even reaching the Island shores as Chef Wong begins serving regional and global fusion dishes on all inbound flights from Japan. Hawaiian will also offer a new signature cocktail, Pukana La (Sunrise), to welcome Business Class guests onboard. When booking flights, families traveling from Japan to Hawaii with children ages 12 and under may pre-order keiki (kids) meals, which include a new Hawaiian-print drawstring snack bag.

Guests can savor island-inspired fare ranging from Curry-Crusted Flounder or Halibut to Guava Huli Chicken and enjoy an expanded selection of Hawaiian music curated for Hawaiian Airlines, starring award-winning performers, classic artists and emerging new talent. A new partnership with Hawai'i Local News brings original Japanese-language programming showcasing the best of Hawai'i.

"Our Japanese guests choose us because they want to experience the best of Hawaii from the moment they board the aircraft," said Takaya Shishido, Hawaiian Airlines country director for Japan. "These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to bringing exclusive and authentic Hawaii food, design, art and culture to every guest."

The all-encompassing service enhancements also include:

• All flights: a Pau Hāna Souvenir Cart for last-minute shopping; amenity kits in all classes featuring an exclusive design by famed print designer Manuheali'i. Business Class parting gift of Hawaiian Host chocolates;

• Hawai'i-bound: a complimentary keiki gift for guests ages 12 and under;

• Japan-bound: a newly designed limited-edition snack bag for Main Cabin guests.

Hawaiian's Mea Ho'okipa inflight service philosophy has long been embraced by travelers for its celebration of the culture, people and Aloha Spirit of Hawai'i. Hawaiian has cemented this signature service as the gold standard in leisure air travel and the only authentic Hawai'i experience.

The unveiling of these new features are part of ongoing service enhancements highlighting Hawaiian's commitment to providing guests with a fresh and memorable experience each time they fly.

Chef Wong, one of five top local chefs in Hawaiian Airlines' Featured Chef Series, will debut her menu for the first class cabin of all flights from Hawai'i to North America on Dec. 1. She also will be serving a dish from her Japan in-flight menu - Black Sesame Donuts with Hawaiian Coffee Anglaise - at the Sept. 12 Hawaiian Airlines' Corks & Forks event during the Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 11 years (2004-2014) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian the highest of all domestic airlines serving Hawai'i.

Now in its 86th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai'i's biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the largest provider of passenger air service from its primary visitor markets on the U.S. Mainland. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai'i from more U.S. gateway cities (11) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 160 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, with a total of more than 200 daily flights system-wide.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow updates on Twitter about Hawaiian (@HawaiianAir) and become a fan on its Facebook page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines' online newsroom.

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