This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well.
As we begin March, we continue the work to meet the challenges that are being brought about because of the merger. We have all seen management’s need for speed brings with it constant change and plans that at times seem incomplete or not well thought out. The result can be an unforced error, which creates difficult situations for both passengers and Flight Attendants alike. To be clear, management is doing their best. We all do our best. But mergers are messy and complex, and when the business tries to capture revenue as quickly as possible, people are sometimes caught in the middle when things do not work out as intended.
Kela and I continue to do our work both at home and away. February was Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, so in addition to his already-frequent lounge sits, Kela and members of I Mua Ke Alo (Hōkū Kamakeʻeʻāina, Kainoa McGill, Kamalani Wehrsig, Kawika Lum-Nelmida, Kekai Lum, Kela Chong, Mālia Benevedes, and Namahana Lota) were in the lounge sharing their manaʻo and bag tags. In mid-February we held a Grievance Committee meeting to review and discuss the scheduling protest and grievance process. In attendance were Chasity Theno, Patrick Smith, Ashley Keanu-Blanco, Michelle Kang, Zack Moulden, Rachel Fernandez, Joni Pak, Lea Franzoi, and Wilisoni Fatafehi.
Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations, Alaska + Hawaiian MEC meetings and SEA domicile work all continue, mostly in SEA. We are now a month away from the SEA domicile opening and several important issues remain outstanding, including management’s requirement to provide documentation of relocation for flat rate moving expenses (AFA has filed a grievance on this issue), the availability and distribution on SEA domicile uniforms, and the 787 ER service. Work continues on getting clarity on all of these issues.
In closing, Kela and I would like to extend a special mahalo to the Flight Attendant volunteers who give their time and energy to support the Hawaiian Flight Attendants. Their contributions make the daily running of the Local Council possible. Volunteering is never a small gesture. Their willingness to serve reflects compassion and commitment since it means taking time away from their personal responsibilities, and sometimes even sacrificing time with families. Mahalo nui!
In Solidarity,
Martin Gusman & Kela Chong
NGP Visit Ends on March 7
The good people of National Group Protection (NGP) will be wrapping up their visit to HNL on Saturday, March 7. Frank and JoAnn have been in the lounge providing information about NGP supplemental insurance plans, and will resume their lounge visits on Tuesday, March 3. Please feel free to stop by the lounge to ask questions about your existing plan or coverage. You can reach NGP at (800) 344-9016.
AFA Board of Directors Meeting in PDX
This year’s AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting will be held in Portland, Oregon, and begins on Monday, March 9. The 2026 BOD will be a full meeting, meaning the board will need to approve an annual budget and may amend the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws. In addition, this year the board will be electing International Officers (President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer) to serve the term July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
Council 43 will be hosting a joint meeting on March 2, with United Airlines Council 14 (HNL) to review the 2026 BOD agenda items. The meeting will run from 1200-1300 HST, and the meeting agenda will be limited to reviewing the advance agenda items. All members in good standing are welcomed to register and attend.
More information about the BOD meeting, including the agenda items, may be found on the AFA-CWA website. If you have any questions about the BOD meeting or any of the agenda items, please feel free to reach out to us or email us both at hnl@afahawaiian.org.
Reserve Webinar
Reserve Committee Co-Chairs, Sasha Kahele-Manners and Joni Pak will be hosting a reserve webinar on Tuesday, March 3, from 1100 HST – 1200 HST. A reserve webinar is a great opportunity to learn more about our contract and the scheduling of reserves. Please register and feel free to submit your questions ahead of time. We look forward to seeing you there!
January Dues Deduction
Please be advised that our March 6th paycheck will include two deductions: one for March and a make-up deduction for the deduction that was missed by the Company on January 6. The AFA Membership Services department is aware of this issue and will and will apply the make-up deduction accordingly. Please visit the Membership Hub if you have any questions or concerns about your dues status.
Updated Council 43 Roster
The Council 43 Roster has been updated and moved to its new home at the AFA Alaska website (afaalaska.org). The roster may be found on the HNL Council 43 Committee page (https://afaalaska.org/hnl/committees). Please bookmark the page for future reference. Over the next few weeks, we will be migrating Honolulu’s content to the AFA Alaska website.
MEC Town Hall
On Tuesday, March 3, the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC will be hosting a virtual town hall meeting for Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants. The meeting will be held from 0900 HST – 1030HST. More information about the meeting, including registration information, may be found here.
March 19: UAL Member Action Day (MAD)
The United Airlines Flight Attendants have been in contract negotiations for nearly five years! On March 19, the United Flight Attendants will have system-wide, in-person informational picketing – a Member Day of Action. The details of specific times and locations will be released when they become available.
March 2026 Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2 | BOD Agenda Item Review with UAL 14 |
| March 3 | MEC Town Hall; Reserve Webinar |
| March 3-7 | NGP Insurance in CRO |
| March 7 | MEC Meeting in PDX |
| March 9-11 | AFA BOD in PDX |
| March 19 | UAL Member Action Day |
| March 23-26 | JCBA Negotiations in SEA |
