Episode 44: Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger and Happy HOLO Days campaign
This week, Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger, the Haʻikū Stairs, Operation Blue Light Christmas, and more TV shows being filmed on O’ahu. Plus, some bonus content: The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) announced its newest campaign: Happy HOLO Days! DTS Deputy Director Jon Nouchi joins us to explain.
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Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Merger
On this week’s episode of the One O’ahu Podcast, Mayor Blangiardi reacts to the announcement that Alaska Airlines has agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a historic $1.9 billion deal.
“That deal has been in the works for years,” explained Mayor Blangiardi on this week’s episode of the podcast. He goes on to say, “Hawaiian stock had been sliding. It was below $5 a share. And I don’t know what that did to the shareholders but that kind of a buyout didn’t surprise me.”
Alaska says Hawaiian will continue to operate as a stand-alone brand.
NCIS Hawai‘i Season 3
On Dec. 4, 2023, a blessing ceremony was held at the Hawai‘i Film Studio for Season 3 of NCIS-Hawai‘i after a successful resolution to the actors’ strike.
“These shows have a way of lasting,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “They get into global syndication so it’s not just like it’s something that’s going to be seen only on the mainland in this day and age of streaming and different distribution platforms, it’s really just good for us to have a first-running show here.”
Production of Season 3 commenced after the show’s cast and crew gathered for a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony. Season 3 is set to return on Feb. 12 on KGMB.
Happy HOLO Days!
Earlier this week, the City’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) announced the start of the Happy HOLO Days! campaign to increase the awareness of public transportation during the busy holiday shopping season.
New HOLO card designs to celebrate the holidays.
With the Happy HOLO Days campaign comes three new HOLO card designs to celebrate the holiday season! These three designs are inspired by the spirit of the holidays, and DTS encourages the gift of transportation by gifting loved ones, friends or colleagues HOLO cards, allowing them to ride TheBus or Skyline whenever they want.
These new HOLO card designs are available at participating 7-Eleven and Foodland stores, JCB Plaza Lounge in Waikīkī, and at the Hālawa Aloha Stadium Skyline station. For more on this announcement, visit https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/1611-site-csd-news-2023-cat/56088-12-11-23-city-announces-happy-holo-days-campaign,-new-holiday-holo-card-designs.html
