By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – Hawaiian Airlines is honored to promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds for education and research through a new ‘Time is Precious’ partnership with watchmaker Fossil to support ’Imi Hale, the Native Hawaiian Cancer Network.
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, co-branded Hawaiian Airlines/Fossil watches featuring a pink ribbon design will be available for purchase from October 15 to October 31 aboard Hawaiian flights between Hawai‘i and North America, Australia and New Zealand. The limited-edition watches may also be purchased through the Hawaiian Airlines online logo store. Sales proceeds will be donated to ’Imi Hale, a community-based health network dedicated to cancer prevention and healthcare access among native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
“We are extremely proud to help raise awareness of a life-threatening disease that touches the lives of so many people in our community,” said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community relations at Hawaiian Airlines. “In doing so, we couldn’t think of better partners than Fossil, a champion of cancer awareness nationally, and ’Imi Hale, which has worked tirelessly to help our ‘ohana, the larger family of our island home.”
The idea for the partnership originated from Hawaiian Airlines employees, some of whom have been personally affected by breast cancer, as a way to raise awareness about the disease and support research. The watches, offered in pink or gray for $95, are housed in a custom tin case adorned with an airplane graphic, along with the word Hihahiwa (precious) – a reminder of the beauty of time and that every moment should be treasured.
The ’Imi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network has trained over 200 people to serve as “Cancer Patient Navigators” who assist patients with timely access to education, treatment and support services, said JoAnn Trask, ’Imi Hale project director. “I lost my parents, grandmother and aunt to cancer and as a cancer survivor myself, I know how hard it is to get through the healthcare system,” said Jacqueline Nalani Perreira, cancer survivor and cancer patient navigator. “Every cancer patient should have someone to help them through the rough waters of cancer care and I am now privileged to be that helper, supporting patients and their families.”
Hawaiian’s partnership with Fossil and ’Imi Hale is among a host of company initiatives to support worthy causes throughout the state of Hawai‘i. The Hawaiian Airlines Foundation annually presents grants in three categories: education, culture and environment. In 2014, corporate giving supported 128 organizations, while more than 1,700 employees volunteered at events sponsored by 48 organizations.
Additionally, Hawaiian matches miles (up to 500,000) donated to 10 designated charities, including the American Cancer Society Hawai‘i Pacific.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 11 years (2004-2014) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian the highest of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.
Now in its 86th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i’s biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the largest provider of passenger air service from its primary visitor markets on the U.S. Mainland. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai‘i from more U.S. gateway cities (11) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 160 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, with a total of more than 200 daily flights system-wide.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow updates on Twitter about Hawaiian (@HawaiianAir) and become a fan on its Facebook page.
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