Hawaiian Airlines Cargo joins Maui wildfires relief efforts
11 / 08 / 2023
1,600 amenity kits being loaded onto aircraft to be distributed to those displaced by the Maui fires. Photo: Hawaian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines has been transporting vital cargo as part of humanitarian aid efforts following the start of devastating wildfires on Maui.
The airline said its cargo business has transported medical and other essential supplies to help people affected by the wildfires that have claimed the lives of more than 50 people and destroyed infrastructure across the island.
Following the start of the fires in August, Hawaiian Airlines said it has: “Set aside dedicated space on our aircraft to support essential cargo, including life-saving blood and medical supplies, medication, food, water, amenity kits and infrastructure equipment for telecommunications repairs.”
The airline added it has: “Donated and shipped soft goods and catering items, including 300 bottles of Mananalu water, 550 sandwiches, 3,000 snack items, 1,600 amenity kits, mattress pads, lounging pillows and other supplies, for evacuees arriving at Kahului Airport.”
Other aid initiatives launched by the airline include operating additional flights in and out of Maui, offering free seats for first responders, and making every main cabin seat from Kahului to Honolulu available at $19 through August 14 to help people leave the island.
The airline also issued a travel waiver to allow guests with travel to and from Maui scheduled through August 31 flexibility to change or refund flights.
On August 9, the airline transported 5,786 guests out of Maui. Members of staff have also been volunteering for relief efforts on the ground.
“This is an incredibly tragic and sad event, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted on Maui and especially those who have lost loved ones,” said Peter Ingram, president and chief executive of Hawaiian Airlines.
“Our teams across our operation are working tirelessly to help those affected, including our nearly 500 colleagues who call Maui home. We send our deepest condolences to those impacted by the fires and will continue to leverage every resource we have to support the Maui community.”
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