Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai’i’s largest and longest-serving carrier, has unveiled new uniforms for more than 5,000 front-line employees decorated with a new print design of lehua blossom and ‘ohe kapala (bamboo stamps).
In keeping with Hawaiian’s unique design practice, the uniform design marries cultural tradition with bold contemporary lines and cutting edge, high-performance materials.
Employees from each work group revealed the uniforms on 11 November at the airline’s Runway to Runway fashion show during HONOLULU Fashion Week Presented by Hawaiian Airlines at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Hawaiian Airlines partnered with Hawaii-based designer Sig Zane to create new uniforms for more than 5,000 front-line employees. The uniforms will debut in late 2017 to coincide with the entry into service of Hawaiian’s first A321neo long-haul aircraft. As part of the airline’s tradition of christening its aircraft with culturally significant names, the A321neos will be named after indigenous plants and forests.
The print’s theme, Kū Mākou or Together We Stand, was inspired by “talk-story” sessions between designers and committee members.
The print’s lehua blossom and ‘ohe kapala (bamboo stamps) comprise a design story carried through every piece of each work group’s uniform, as applied in different scales and tonalities to prints, linings and woven elements.
“The lehua truly is the symbol of the Hawaiian people. In all of our legends, myths and chants, the lehua is strong and prominent.”
Sig Zane
The next phase of Hawaiian’s uniform program includes on-the-job fit and wear testing by uniformed employees beginning in January, followed by a full roll out in late 2017 to coincide with the entry into service of Hawaiian’s first A321neo long-haul aircraft.
