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Hawaiian Airlines seeks multilingual flight attendants amid network expansion

Hawaiian Airlines seeks multilingual flight attendants amid network expansion
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Ben Minicucci President & CEO | Alaska Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is in the process of recruiting hundreds of flight attendants as it expands its network alongside Alaska Airlines. The airline is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in Japanese or Korean to better serve its growing international clientele.

In recognition of International Flight Attendants Day, Kanoelehua “Kanoe” shares insights into her career and offers guidance for newcomers. Born in Honolulu and raised in Hilo, Kanoe enjoys traveling to destinations like Auckland and Tokyo. When not working, she frequents local coffee shops on the island.

Training for a flight attendant position requires commitment and adaptability. According to Kanoe, the training program is fast-paced and demanding. "You can learn an entire training module in one day, and then the next morning, you might be tested on that module," she explained. The training equips attendants with technical skills and stress management strategies for high-pressure situations.

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"We learn how to compartmentalize information and work under pressure so we can act quickly," Kanoe said. She highlights the importance of finding a personal learning style early on to meet the high expectations set during training.

The role also emphasizes first impressions and grooming standards. "I think it’s important to hold yourself to a standard," Kanoe noted, underscoring that grooming is integral to maintaining professionalism.

Flexibility is one of the job's main perks. Flight attendants have control over their schedules through bid systems that allow them to adjust their flights based on personal needs or preferences. "The nice thing about a bid schedule is that you can always tweak it," Kanoe said.

A strong sense of community exists among Hawaiian Airlines crew members, which Kanoe describes as an 'ohana culture.' This supportive environment helps new employees adapt quickly by seeking advice from more experienced colleagues.

Empathy plays a crucial role when dealing with passengers facing difficulties during travel. "Travel can be stressful for some people...so I feel it’s important to keep that in perspective,” she stated.

Flight attendants' primary focus remains safety rather than just service delivery: “People think we’re strictly for service, but we’re always safety professionals before we’re service professionals,” according to Kanoe.

Through her experiences at Hawaiian Airlines, Kanoe has found fulfillment beyond initial expectations: “I feel really blessed to travel the world representing Hawaiian Airlines."

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