Street Artists Adorn Hawaiian Airlines Vehicle

Hawaiian Airlines’ service vehicle painted by Hawaiʻi street artist Kamea Hadar, and the husband-and-wife street artist duo Hitotzuki. Hawaiian Airlines photo.

Hawaiian Airlines’ support of local and international artists took center stage earlier this month, when the airline welcomed Hawaiʻi street artist Kamea Hadar, and the husband-and-wife street artist duo Hitotzuki—Kami and Sasu Yoshida from Tokyo—for a symbolic collaboration.

The artists adorned a Hawaiian Airlines ground service vehicle with their signature styles in a live painting to celebrate the annual POW! WOW! Hawaiʻi, a week of gallery shows, lecture series, art and music schools, mural projects and concerts in Honolulu.

The service vehicle painting event took place before hundreds of attendees during the Feb. 6 kick-off festival at Honolulu Night Market and the Feb. 13 Trapped in Paradise finale concert.

Hawaiian Airlines’ service vehicle painted by Hawaiʻi street artist Kamea Hadar, and the husband-and-wife street artist duo Hitotzuki. Hawaiian Airlines photo.

Concertgoers witnessed Hadar, known for his unorthodox portraiture style, paint a Hawaiian couple, their heads and noses pressed together, sharing ha (breath of life).

Hitotzuki, recognized for their flowing, symmetric motifs, complemented Hadar’s design with deep tones of blue and crisp white clouds reflective of Hawaiʻi’s scenery.

The design concept was inspired by each culture’s strong sense of selfless service.

Omotenashi is the Japanese term meaning “entertain guests wholeheartedly” and ho‘okipa translates to “hospitality” in Hawaiian. In both Japan and Hawaiʻi, welcoming guests with pride and honor, whether in one’s home or business, is a long-standing and respected tradition.

“Supporting an initiative such as POW! WOW! helps promote the collaboration of local and global artists—stemming from various cultures—who are making incredibly stunning contributions to our community,” said Alisa Onishi, director of brand management for Hawaiian Airlines. “The artists that we bring here are pulling inspiration from our beautiful islands and then incorporating their talents into a unique showcase for our community to enjoy.”

The newly designed Hawaiian Airlines service vehicle, which transports catering materials to aircraft, returned to normal operations at Honolulu International Airport, where passengers can capture a glimpse of the exclusive artwork.

This marks the third year Hawaiian Airlines has commissioned artists for service vehicle designs but the first year the public has been able to watch the live painting.

In 2015, Hawaiian commissioned acclaimed New Zealand artist duo BMD to paint images depicting the regions’ landscapes and native animals on a similar service vehicle in celebration of the airline’s second anniversary of service to Auckland.

Previously, Hawaiian commissioned Hadar to paint a service vehicle in support of the launch of POW! WOW! Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi and Japan have long shared cultural ties that can be experienced through cuisine, customs, music and art.

The dynamic partnership between the artists and the airline represents Hawaiʻi and Japan’s deepening connection.

Hawaiian Airlines recently announced it will begin service to Narita International Airport starting July 22 and also rolled out a collection of enhanced in-flight services on its Japan routes, including meals prepared by Chef Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Café.

In October 2015, the airline supported the launch of POW! WOW! Japan in Tokyo’s Tennozu Isle.

Hawaiian’s partnership with POW! WOW! extends beyond the annual festival. The airline’s corporate headquarters also is home to “Local Colors,” a rotating art gallery in which POW! WOW! directors Hadar and Jasper Wong curate and commission local artists to display their pieces.

To view Hadar’s live painting at Honolulu Night Market and Kami of Hitotzuki’s live painting at the Stranded in Paradise concert, go online.

For more information about Hawaiian Airlines, visit HawaiianAirlines.com.