This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants
Aloha pumehana kākou e ka ʻohana,
As we reflect on this moment and the responsibility we carry in our words and actions, we are reminded of the words penned by Queen Liliʻuokalani:
“Mai nānā ʻinoʻino, nā hewa o kānaka
Do not look upon the faults of people with ill intent
Akā e huikala, a maʻemaʻe nō”
But instead forgive and make pure
This communication is being shared on January 17, the anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This day reminds us that words, decisions, and the ways they are explained carry lasting consequences. We offer this reflection not to assign blame, but to reaffirm why ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, our voices, and our cultural identity must always be treated with care, intention, and respect. It is in that spirit that we are reaching out to the Hawaiian airlines Flight Attendant ʻohana to address concerns that arose following the initial communication about updates to the employee handbook, particularly the removal of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. It was the framing and messaging of that communication, specifically how the decision was described and justified, that sparked widespread concern, conversation, and hurt across our Flight Attendant ʻohana and the broader community.
First and foremost, we want to be very clear. The committee members of I Mua Ke Alo: Stewards of Cultural & Language Legacy had no prior knowledge of, nor were we consulted on, the removal of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi from the handbook, nor on the messaging that accompanied that change. Like many of you, we learned this through the initial communication that was sent, and we were equally surprised and deeply concerned.
As a result, we are actively engaging with the appropriate parties to discuss both the substance of the decision and, critically, how it was communicated. These conversations are ongoing and necessary. We would also like to sincerely acknowledge the support shown by so many of you, whether by sharing your thoughts, speaking with colleagues, reaching out to members of this committee, or simply acknowledging that something about the messaging and reasoning did not feel pono (right). Note how simple it is to include English in parentheses to be inclusive, without removing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi altogether.
At the same time, we must be honest about what has been especially troubling. As the ʻōlelo noʻeau warns us, “i ka ʻōlelo nō ke ola, i ka ʻōlelo nō ka make,” in words there is life, and in words there is also harm. The initial communication framed the removal of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi as an effort toward inclusivity for a broader workforce, a framing that was deeply concerning for many of us. The subsequent revision of the message following widespread backlash only compounded that concern, as it felt less like accountability and more like a reframing of intent. Taken together, the words chosen and the way they were later adjusted caused additional harm and betrayed trust, highlighting how carefully our words must be chosen, because once spoken, they cannot be taken back.
This matter is particularly concerning because standardization and similar justifications have historically been used to erase indigenous languages, not only ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi but indigenous languages worldwide. For many of us, this historical context cannot be separated from the present moment.
Please know that the stewards of this committee remain steadfast in its mission to protect, perpetuate, and advocate for our cultural identity within Hawaiian Airlines. As stewards of cultural and language legacy, we will continue to engage, to ask difficult questions, and to push for processes that honor who we are before decisions are made, not after. Mahalo nui loa for your voices, your manaʻo, and your continued commitment to each other and to our culture. Your voices matter, and they are heard.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Nā lālā o “I Mua Ke Alo: Stewards of Cultural & Language Legacy”
