Today I flew from Oakland to Oahu to attend the 2014 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. In the San Francisco Bay Area it is so convenient to fly to the Hawaiian islands! And there is no other way to fly than Hawaiian Airlines (seriously, my opinion!).
When I landed in Oahu I was invited to have lunch at the Hawaiian Airlines Headquarters. Hawaiian Airlines has generously sponsored my flight to Oahu this weekend and our hosting me along with The Modern Honolulu hotel and the Oahu Visitors Bureau.
My first flight with them was this past March when I came to visit the Big Island and Maui. It was an amazing experience and the more I learn about them the more I love.
Like being the only US airline that serves a free hot meal. I recently interviewed Hawaiian Airlines Executive Chef Chai Chaowasaree, and having experienced seen three meal services on board, I can tell you that there is a lot of care that goes into the meals and a keen sense of island pride in the products and snacks they support on board.
One of the other things I recently learned about Hawaiian Airlines is that they travel internationally! They service destinations in Asia and the South Pacific – Australia, American Samoa, Philippines, Tahiti, Korea, and Japan (4 spots) and they just added Beijing this year. What’s really cool about that is if you are flying to say Tokyo, you can stop in Hawaii for a stay…call it an extended layover, and then continue on your way – kind of cool!
I like the idea of going through customs on my return to the U.S. in Hawaii rather than San Francisco or LAX, just feels like it would be way easier!
I met up with my Hawaiian Airlines hosts for lunch in their beautiful cafeteria. Look at all that light and airiness! A beautiful place to eat and interact with your fellow colleagues. One of the executives who stopped by to say hello said there is a company-wide rule that says if you are going to eat something that requires utensils, you need to eat it in the cafeteria. That instills a sense of community, people aren’t hunched overeating at their desks. They are taking a break, enjoying some natural light and Vitamin D and interacting with their co-workers, I like it!
The cafeteria is run by Chef Mark Noguchi a well-known celebrity chef born and raised in Hawaii. When I went to make my selection for my lunch, there were too many choices! One thing I went with was something I had never tried before, Pa’ i ‘ai.
It is taro (kalo) pounded by Mana’ai and sauteed with Hawaiian salt – it looks like pork belly but tastes like heaven! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and with a pop of salt.
It was delicious with my Pork Luau Stew with roasted pork shoulder, luau leaves, pickled onion, smoked macadamia nut and Hapa Rice – at an office cafeteria…get out!
Stress-free flight to Oahu…check! Delicious lunch…check! Hawaiian old-style gracious (to quote a very smart lady)…check!
I could not ask for a better start to the weekend!
Throughout my weekend here in Oahu I will be attending several Hawaii Food & Wine Festival events including Corks & Forks presented by Hawaiian Airlines, keep up with me on Twitter and Instagram additional blog posts all throughout the weekend.
Mahalo!
September 6, 2014
Wow! the foods looks delicious! And the place looks amazing!
September 6, 2014
@Maria, it was, such a cool company cafeteria!
September 6, 2014
Hawaii is one of my dream location to visit! Although I’m not from the US, but it’s always nice to see people’s positive experiences with airlines that operates where I wanna go one day 😀
September 6, 2014
@Orsi, the people of these islands are nothing short of remarkable, some of the nicest people I have EVER met.
September 6, 2014
Soo…. is Hawaiian Airlines hiring?? 😉
September 6, 2014
@Katie, seriously! I asked the same!
September 6, 2014
Sounds really nice and I’m glad you had a great trip.
September 6, 2014
@andi let me just win the lottery and ill go and see it for myself 😀 But it’s so nice to hear^^
September 8, 2014
i would love to have such an experience
September 8, 2014
Hey, amazing adventure!:D
September 15, 2014
soooo amazing
September 30, 2014
That food looks delicious! 🙂 Lucky you for getting to go to Hawaii–it’s on my travel bucket list. I’ll have to remember all of the great things that Hawaiian Airlines provides whenever I start planning that trip.
September 30, 2014
@Natalie, what island have you looked at going to?
September 30, 2014
That is amazing! I can’t believe you were flown there to eat and drink! What a life. I love wine and food tests!
xoxo
Candace
http://www.FromCtoC.com
September 30, 2014
@Candace, I feel very lucky!
September 30, 2014
I really need to go visit Hawaii 🙂
September 30, 2014
@Lindsay, have you been?
September 30, 2014
@Lindsay, I hope you get there soon!
September 30, 2014
Lucky you! I always look for their flights to Asia…I’d rather have a layover in Hawaii than Denver (no offence, Devner… 🙂 )
September 30, 2014
@Lavende, I agree, I am definitely going to look at doing that on my next trip over to Asia!
September 30, 2014
Wow, hmmm, do you need a travel buddy..lol. This looks absolutely amazing. Enjoy your time to the fullest.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
September 30, 2014
WHAT?! Wait. What? How did you manage to get Hawaiian Airlines to bring you to Hawaii!? Can I go with you next time? I can drive right up to Oakland, haha! Not even kidding.
September 30, 2014
@Nancy, I was lucky enough to meet and work with them last spring and have continued the relationship – they are a wonderful group of people and a great airline!
September 30, 2014
Wow! I’m so totally jealous! I want free flights to hawaii!
September 30, 2014
Just a wee bit jealous here. Wee meaning A LOT.
September 30, 2014
Wow! Lucky girl! You took some great shots!
September 30, 2014
Oh my goodness, how lucky are you! I’ve been to both Maui and Kauai and absolutely love everything about Hawaii!
October 1, 2014
@Erica, I haven’t been to Kaui yet, would love to go there!
October 1, 2014
How lovely! You’re so lucky to have experience the tastes of Hawaii!
October 1, 2014
How exciting to be flown to Hawaii! The food looked great seems like u had a great time!
October 1, 2014
@Fatima, it was fun and the food was amazing!
October 1, 2014
Looks like such an amazing time! I’ve never been to Hawaii!
October 1, 2014
@Jess, hope you get there someday, it is wonderful!
October 1, 2014
That food looks wonderful, and Hawaii is one of my favorite places to go, for sure. Have fun at the festival!
October 1, 2014
@Jessica, where’s your favorite island?
October 1, 2014
What a FANTASTIC opportunity! you are def close to hawii! how cool to interview the chef! Good stuff!!!
October 1, 2014
@Liv, thanks I was definitely lucky!
October 1, 2014
I would love to go to Hawaii one day. All of the food looks lovely.
October 1, 2014
@Jemma, everything I’ve had there thus far was delicious!
October 1, 2014
This is amazing office cafeteria food! Great rule about eating in the cafeteria. So many times, people are so concerned about getting the work done that they forget to enjoy each other.
October 1, 2014
@JoAnn, it was delicious, and I like the rule too!
October 1, 2014
What an amazing oppourtunity and you captured it perfectly! Hawaii is def on my bucket list and now that I know they serve a hot meal I’ll have to take that trip with Hawaiian Airlines 🙂
October 1, 2014
@Winter, you won’t regret it!
October 1, 2014
Kauai is my favorite. Haven’t been to Maui yet though (April) so we’ll see!
October 2, 2014
@Jessica, I haven’t been to Kauai yet and I really hope to get there soon!
October 2, 2014
I’m so jealous, you’re so lucky. I’d love to fly to Hawaii from anywhere, Let alone for free!!
Katie <3
October 2, 2014
So neat! Ill be in Hawaii in 2 weeks!
October 2, 2014
@Neely, what island?
October 2, 2014
I always wanted to go to hawaii! This looks fabulous!
October 2, 2014
@Rebekah, which island do you want to go to?
October 2, 2014
Any of them – I just want beach, booze, and sun!
October 2, 2014
I had to check the date on this since I saw the party pics on another post you shared! Ahhhh I would love to go back to Hawaii soon. Thank you for virtually taking us with you!
October 3, 2014
@Lauren, what islands have you been to?
October 5, 2014
My parents live on Maui and I’m on the mainland. Whenever I fly to visit them I ALWAYS fly Hawaiian — they have the best customer service and I love their meals (seriously). They are my favorite airline by far!
October 5, 2014
@Robyn, they are so friendly it is hard not to love them!
October 5, 2014
Yum! What a cool trip to take!
October 12, 2014
Would definitely love to head to Hawaii with such an airline – I’m not much for meat, but I’m sure they have amazing meals in general from what you’re saying! How lucky you were to interview the chef, such a cool experience it must have been!
October 12, 2014
@Camila, there are tons of non-meat dishes for sure, Hawaii has such great agriculture, especially on the Big Island – mushrooms and fruits – delicious!
October 13, 2014
You’re living the life of luxury! 🙂