Hawaiian Airlines Cuts Free Meals In Economy

Above, a Hawaiian Airlines jet at Maui in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I remember the days when some domestic flights served meals that were a part of the price of a ticket. I only flew to Hawaii and back once and meals were included. This was ten years ago.

Then, gradually, airlines cut domestic meals down to flights over five hours in length. Then they served meals, but charged for them and one must order a meal before the plane even taxies down the runway.

Now, it has been announced that Hawaiian Airlines is cutting free meals from domestic flights from the mainland to Hawaii, except for flights originating from New York's JFK airport. The announcement is being spun like lipstick on a pig.

One Mile At A Time reported:

Historically, Hawaiian Airlines has offered free meals on flights between Hawaii and the United States mainland. That’s an amenity that’s quite rare nowadays, especially outside of the “long haul” Hawaii flights from the East Coast, Midwest, etc., so it was a real point of differentiation.

Well, major changes are coming to Hawaiian’s inflight service, and the airline is certainly burying the lede. The announcement about the change notes how the airline is “elevating onboard service with pre-order dining by celebrated Hawai‘i chefs.” But really that’s just a positive spin on announcing that free meals are being cut in economy.

The changes will be implemented as of July 1, 2026, and entail “a new onboard service program that delivers greater choice, improved quality and a deeper connection to the flavors of Hawai‘i.” The new menu is being developed in partnership with Maui-based, James Beard Award finalist Chef Sheldon Simeon.

To read more, go here.

Biden and Maui, Hawaii

 Speaks volumes.

Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Maui

Above, the front of the set's package front (top) and the booklet. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A package arrived at my post office box today. It was the Blu-ray/CD set, Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Maui. 

Back in the summer of 1970, a movie was in "production" in Maui, Hawaii that was called Rainbow Bridge. It was a hippie counter-culture flick "directed" by Chuck Wein. It was a mess production-wise. No script. No pre-production. It was basically a mess captured on film.

Hendrix had been working on a new studio in New York, Electric Lady Studios, at the time, but work on it stopped and started, depending upon there was any money to work on it to completion. Much of Hendrix's concert fees that year went to the building of the studio. Manager Michael Jeffrey saw the Maui flick as a means to bring in some cash to complete the studio. Hendrix really didn't want to have any part of the movie, but was eventually talked into it.

Admittedly, when Rainbow Bridge first came out in theaters, I was, admittedly, entertained by it even though it was obviously flawed. I have a copy of the movie on VHS. One shot in the movie I got a kick out of seeing (nearly 40 years later) was of La Cienega Blvd. in West Los Angeles with the White Front department store very prominent.

Above, the set has interesting packaging for the booklet, 2 CDs and Blu-ray. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Blu-ray in this set contains a documentary, Music, Money, Madness...Jimi Hendrix in Maui on how Rainbow Bridge came about and how Hendrix and sidemen Mitch Mitchell (drums) and Billy Cox (bass) participated. Since Billy Cox is the sole remaining member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience still with us, he adds his own memories to the documentary.

The Blu-ray also has the two shows the Jimi Hendrix Experience put on at the Haleakala Crater on Maui on July 30, 1970. These shows also comprise the two CDs of the set.

The concerts were flawed as the wind was blowing towards the band causing sound issues. For the footage used in Rainbow Bridge, Mitch Mitchell dubbed new drumming sound while watching footage through a movie editor's moviola screen.

Also included in the set is a 31-page booklet.

The set is an interesting piece of music history and Hendrix fans will enjoy it. 

Couple's Hawaii Vacation Turns Into Nightmare

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A Virginia couple decided to take a vacation trip to Hawaii and all was going well until they landed in Maui.

There, they received a shock from the officials at the airport.

WSET reported:

BEDFORD COUNTY Va. (WSET) — A couple from Goode is trying to urge others to be careful when flying.

Their summer anniversary trip turned into a nightmare. They're hoping to help others avoid the stress they endured. They say their trip to Hawaii hit major turbulence soon after they landed.

Ruth Garretson and her husband were expecting a relaxing anniversary trip to Hawaii. Garretson says it was smooth sailing until they reached Maui.

When they arrived, Garretson says they were informed their CDC-approved, negative COVID tests they got through MedExpress weren't going to cut it. She says they were told their tests had to be through Walgreens or CVS but Garretson says none of that ever came to light in their pre-trip research.

If Hawaii is willing to pull these kinds of stunts on people (maybe there's some kickback money from Walgreens and CVS involved since Hawaii is a liberal state?), I'd say to hell with Hawaii and travel elsewhere. I hope the couple sues.

To read more, go here.