Hawaiian Airlines Reinstates Auckland Flights, Celebrates Polynesian Canoes
Hawaiian Airlines marked the resumption of its seasonal route to Auckland Airport (AKL) on November 17, 2025, kicking off its schedule for the upcoming 2025-2026 travel period between the vibrant city of Auckland and Honolulu.
The airline has been connecting these two destinations since March 2013 and proudly celebrated its 96th anniversary in November 2025.
The airline’s return was especially significant as it aligned with a major cultural event. Crews from Hawaii’s Polynesian Voyaging Society arrived in Auckland aboard their iconic double-hulled canoes, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia. The arrival of Hawaiian Airlines’ Airbus A330, also named Hikianalia, coincided with this historic moment, as both vessels share the same name.
The next morning, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei tribal members welcomed the PVS canoes at Ōkahu Bay, assisted by the Te Toki Voyaging Trust’s traditional Māori double-hulled canoe. These crews utilized ancient navigation techniques, sailing from Honolulu to Tahiti, Rarotonga, and finally to New Zealand without the aid of modern technology.
This arrival was a pivotal point in the PVS’s Moananuiākea Voyage—a grand journey covering 43,000 nautical miles, spanning 47 months, 36 countries, nearly 100 indigenous territories, and 345 ports.
Reflecting on this cultural milestone, Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, Hawaiian Airlines’ Director of Community and Cultural Relations, attended both arrivals. The Polynesian Voyaging Society, founded in 1973, has dedicated decades to reconstructing traditional Hawaiian canoes and rediscovering ancient navigation wisdom. The successful completion of Hōkūleʻa’s inaugural voyage to Tahiti in 1976 was met with an enthusiastic welcome from over 17,000 Tahitians, sparking what is now recognized as the Hawaiian cultural renaissance.
“During that time, Hawaiian culture faced significant challenges, leading to a deep desire to preserve and pass on important traditions,” Nakanelua-Richards noted. “Hōkūleʻa ignited a cultural renaissance in Hawaiʻi, which is still alive today.”
For nearly five decades, Hawaiian Airlines has been a proud supporter of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, acting as the official airline sponsor of the Moananuiākea Voyage. The airline has generously provided 34 million miles to assist in transporting voyagers during crew transitions and to deliver supplies.
“When individuals see Hawaiian Airlines, they connect it with the essence of Hawaiʻi—its people, places, and culture,” Nakanelua-Richards remarked. “This comes with a sense of kuleana, or responsibility.”
How do you feel about the role of Hawaiian Airlines in promoting cultural heritage through its support of the Moananuiākea Voyage?
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