The Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan, announced on January 5, 2025, will cover most of the airline’s customer touchpoints, from aircraft interiors and airport facilities to IT platforms.
The carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet, which currently comprises 24 aircraft, will undergo a full cabin refit, with new seats, carpets and lighting. Those aircraft will also receive new business class seats, and a premium economy cabin will be introduced. In connection with this project, three A330s which are currently on lease will be acquired by the airline.
Hawaiian Airlines is also investing in enhancing the passenger experience on the ground, with the building of a new 10,600-square-foot (984.7 square meters) flagship lounge at its Honolulu (HNL) base. The lounges at four other Hawaiian airports, Līhu‘e (LIH), Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO), will also undergo a major renovation.
In the digital domain, the goal of Hawaiian Airlines is to streamline both the customer experience and internal processes through the launch of a new website and app and the adoption of new IT tools, respectively. These technology updates will allow for greater and smoother integration between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines as well as with the carrier’s new oneworld partners.
Some investment will also be allocated to sustainability and community initiatives, such as the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the endowment of a startup fund and business accelerator aimed at scaling up Hawaiian companies, and a number of community engagement projects throughout the archipelago.
The announcement of this far-reaching investment program was celebrated by Governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, who highlighted that it would help consolidate the archipelago as a top tourist destination.
