Hawaiian Airlines has joined “The Aloha Initiative,†a grassroots programme offering respite in Hawaii for families displaced by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Initiated by Maui residents and led by the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, the programme expects to bring more than 100 affected Japan residents to Hawaii over the next few months to help the healing process by staying with host families on Maui and Oahu for up to 90 days.
The Aloha Initiative is paying all transportation costs through donations made by various businesses, including First Hawaiian Bank, and the general public.
Hawaiian is contributing free interisland flights, as well as substantially discounted fares between Japan and Honolulu, in support of the programme.
Programme participants are expected to include a range of individuals and families affected by the natural disasters, such as orphans accompanied by guardians, adults who have lost spouses or children, and families who have lost all their possessions.
The first group of Aloha Initiative participants is tentatively scheduled to arrive in Honolulu from Japan on July 5.
For more information about the program, visit online at AlohaInitiative.com.
Hawaiian’s fundraising efforts in support of Japan’s recovery have exceeded more than $250,000 to date.
