Hawaii

Access Denied: Honolulu Lounge Change Hits Travelers During Upheaval

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2025

Access Denied: Honolulu Lounge Change Hits Travelers During Upheaval

Starting April 1, Hawaiian Airlines will revoke access to its Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu Airport for members of the global Priority Pass program. This change leaves some travelers scrambling for alternatives, signaling a broader transformation underway at Hawaii’s busiest airport, now driven by Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines.

Why Priority Pass is losing access to Plumeria Lounge.

Priority Pass recently confirmed the change on its website in All caps: “EFFECTIVE 01APR25 THIS LOUNGE WILL NO LONGER BE PART OF THE PROGRAMME. NO ACCESS WILL BE GIVEN ON OR AFTER THIS DATE.”

Until then, Priority Pass members can still enter the Plumeria Lounge between 6:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., space permitting. After that, entry will be limited to Hawaiian Airlines passengers flying internationally in business class or on specific routes to New York and Boston.

While most visitors do not consider the lounge luxurious, it was a valued perk. As one social media user put it, “While it isn’t the greatest lounge, it was nice to have access with an AmEx Platinum card—much better than waiting at the gate.”

Priority Pass is a global airport lounge membership program often bundled with premium travel credit cards. It grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. For many travelers, it’s one of the most-used perks of cards like the AmEx Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve, offering a quieter space to wait, snack, and recharge before flights.

What Plumeria Lounge offered to Priority Pass members.

The Plumeria Lounge invited Priority Pass members to join Hawaiian Airlines elite fliers for modest self-serve snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, Wi-Fi, and charging outlets. While its beige decor and limited space weren’t memorable, it provided a welcome escape from the terminal chaos when HNL is busy.

One traveler recalled, “Not a great lounge but way better than Premier Club. I like the local food—had a kalua pork slider on a taro sweetbread roll and also liked the yakisoba noodles.”

Premier Club, unlike the Plumeria Lounge, is for First Class domestic passengers and Pualani Platinum and Gold members. One user said, “I don’t know if I’d even consider the Premier Club a lounge.”

Other than offering a more comfortable place to wait for a flight, we’d agree the lounge falls short by nearly every standard. So much so that we’d say one of the highlights is the private restroom facilities.

Read: Don’t Dare Enter These Hawaii Airline Lounges On Arrival.

Where Priority Pass members can go now.

The IASS Hawaii Lounge in Terminal 2 is now the only Priority Pass option at HNL. Still, its limited hours (7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and basic amenities make it a far cry from Plumeria and a long walk from Terminal 1. For Hawaiian Airlines passengers departing from Terminal 1, it’s very inconveniently located, but for all other airline passengers, it will be much closer.

As one commenter lamented, “T2 lounge is even crappier. Can’t even call that a lounge.”

The move also follows a trend. One commenter pointed out, “Alaska did the same by removing Priority Pass many years ago. I’d assume the same thing is applying here.”

What’s next for Honolulu Airport lounges?

The new Hawaiian and Alaska flagship lounge planned for 2027 promises a much-improved space for top-tier travelers, with five times the space and a new location at the Mauka Concourse entrance. It’s likely to become a showcase for Alaska’s vision for Hawaiian Airlines. However, for the average Hawaii visitor, the gap between now and then may still feel wide.

Expectations are high. Randy A. commented, “Let’s hope this one actually delivers now that Alaska is in charge.” With both airlines operating under a shared strategy but separate brands, many will be watching how they define the future of Hawaii air travel.

As the Alaska-Hawaiian partnership evolves, travelers will be watching to see if these changes truly elevate the airport experience—or simply leave more passengers waiting at the gate.

For now, the end of Priority Pass access at Plumeria marks the first visible ripple in what could be a major transformation at Honolulu Airport. Whether that transformation benefits all travelers remains to be seen.

What’s your reaction to this change?

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Hawaii

Hawaii AG provides update on public corruption investigation

Published

3 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii AG provides update on public corruption investigation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Attorney General‘s office issued its regular biweekly update Friday regarding an ongoing criminal public corruption investigation.

The case concerns the disclosure of about $35,000 to a Hawaii politician.

The AG’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division has reviewed thousands of pages of subpoenaed materials and conducting 18 interviews, which have helped shed light on the circumstances under investigation.

According to this latest update, they are getting a more refined timeline of events surrounding the transaction in question, bringing investigators closer to some of the key answers they need.

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez addressed the lengthy process as the public waits for details.

“I understand that people want answers, and we want the same,” Lopez said. “Following the rule of law is paramount to ensure that individual constitutional rights are protected. Releasing information for any purpose other than to further the investigation would violate my oath of office and my promise to the people of Hawaii.”

Lopez also took a moment to praise the work of the news outlets coverage of the case.

“I appreciate the responsible reporting from the news media,” Lopez said. “More than anyone, journalists understand the importance of being absolutely certain of the facts before releasing information.”

The AG has not identified any individuals involved because the investigation is active.

The next public update is scheduled for Friday, April 24.

Previous coverage

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Hawaii

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2026: Faith Kealohapauole Paredes

Published

15 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2026: Faith Kealohapauole Paredes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Faith Kealohapau‘ole Paredes of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi (Nā Kumu Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes) was crowned Miss Aloha Hula Thursday night at the Merrie Monarch Festival, topping a field of 13 competitors in the festival’s first night of competition.

The contest features performances in hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli, showcasing both technical precision and artistic interpretation.

Judges scored competitors on a range of elements, including kaʻi; interpretation and expression; posture and precision; hand gestures; foot and body movement; hoʻi; authenticity of costume and adornments; grooming; and overall performance.

The 21-year-old from Maui received 1,161 points.

“It’s surreal,” she said. “I’m just so honored and blessed to be able to show and share my lineage and share the hula from my hello with all of Hawaii and all of the world.”

Paredes also won the Hawaiian Language Award.

“Hula will forever live,” she said. “It is through us speaking out in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. It is through us (to) not be ashamed of who we are and to hula on. Dance with your heart out.”

Paredes is a Kamehameha Schools graduate and attends Dartmouth College. She won the title of Miss Keiki Hula in 2015.

The rest of the finalists were as follows:

1st runner up: Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe (1,156)

2nd runner up: Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio (1,134 points)

3rd runner up: Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy (1,115 points)

4th runner up: Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta (1,098 points)

The festival continues Friday night with group hula kahiko.

View our Merrie Monarch Festival online hub here.

Samantha Makanani Aguon Newman

Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Lanakila Casupang

Haily Kamakahukilani Nawahine Nascimento

Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera

Kēhaulani Kaleikaumakamaeʻiʻomakamae Rubonal

Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Mālie Kapuaonaonaikamauʻuuaolalokoikealohaokalaniākea Moe

Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe

Lilia Kaleialohaokealohalani Ka’ōnohi’ula Keohokapuakeakua Iokepa-Guerrero

Kumu Hula Niuliʻi Heine

Jovian Kauanoeokalaulani Range-Semisi

Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o

Keoe Momilani Michiko Hoe

Kumu Hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV

Lahela Hoʻokela Medina Maio

Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes

Faith Lynn Kealohapauʻole Paredes

Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes

Jelacia Naomi Waiauokalaniākea Peralta

Kumu Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao

Hiʻileilanikauakapukapuokeānuenue Puchalski

Kumu Hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski

Leimana Kaleinamanu Purdy

Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva

Līlianani Maya Rae Pi

Kumu Hula Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokalā Victor

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Hawaii

Hawaii lawmakers push for continued tax relief for most families

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii lawmakers push for continued tax relief for most families

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii State Legislature is entering the final weeks of the 2025 session with at least one point of agreement: income taxes will continue to decline for most families.

Both the House and Senate rejected the governor’s plan to cancel some tax relief, despite earlier uncertainty about the state’s financial situation.

“So what the Senate’s position is, is we want to make sure that the promises that were made are kept, especially with those families that make $350,000 a year or less,” said Senate Ways and Means chair Donovan Dela Cruz.

House Finance chair Rep. Chris Todd agreed the priority is ensuring ongoing tax relief.

Energy tax credits targeted to offset revenue loss

Continuing to reduce taxes means nearly $2 billion has to come from somewhere else. The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to eliminate state energy tax credits for things like solar power and electric cars in 2029.

The credits could be saved if the economy improves.

“So this becomes a shared approach. Government cuts, business tax credits, get sunset, and then we’re still charging some of the higher end income brackets,” Dela Cruz said. “Their tax breaks are going to get repealed.”

House proposes tax increase on high earners

The House moved along a redesigned tax package that makes tax credits for spending on child care and food more generous and raises income taxes on families with incomes over $350,000.

“It would provide some ongoing tax relief to low to middle income families, but in return, we would request a 1% tax increase on very high income families,” Todd said.

The financial picture is clearer now, even with flood disaster costs, because of the federal disaster declaration.

“Now the state’s eligible to get reimbursed for a lot of these funds. We’re not sure what it’s going to look like, but that’s going to be positive for us,” Dela Cruz said.

Todd said the state is sitting on a solid reserve, a luxury not many states have right now.

All the proposals from the House and the Senate are now going into conference committee, where the final details will be worked out over the next month.

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