It’s abundantly clear that the US government doesn’t favor airline mergers in any way. That has become apparent from the current merger it opposes and will again come into focus as Alaska Airlines attempts to complete its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines over the next year.
“Airline industry competitiveness is in free fall, and consumers are feeling the consequences. Today, the four largest airlines—American, Southwest, Delta, and United—control 80% of the domestic market, more than at any point in the modern history of commercial aviation.”
“The proposed JetBlue-Spirit merger is just the latest threat to consumers in this long string of mergers.”
United States Senator, Elizabeth Warren
The government remains adamant about preventing such moves that it considers anti-consumer to proceed, which is exemplified in the current attempt of JetBlue to merge with Spirit Airlines.
Advertisement
While earlier small airline mergers, like the Alaska/Hawaiian one, may not have garnered trouble from the US regulatory agencies, rapidly escalating negative sentiment towards airline mergers will be tested to the (737) MAX (excuse the pun) with Hawaiian/Alaska.
The two Hawaii-centric airlines believe and have stated unequivocally that their deal isn’t anti-consumer and that the two have only a very small number of overlapping routes. That may not matter to the case that regulators will present.
The sentiment of the US government is that airline mergers aren’t in the public’s interest, and it is the job of the Department of Justice to intervene. The US DOT thinks it too may have a say in whether or not this goes through. This change followed airline mergers that allowed American to acquire US Airways in 2013, United to acquire Continental in 2010, and Delta to acquire Northwest in 2008.
Ruling awaited in merger that would precede Hawaiian/Alaska.
A ruling is currently pending in the JetBlue/Spirit Airlines tie-up. If that is allowed to go through, as many analysts are predicting, it appears that the Alaska and Hawaiian marriage will be a shoo-in. If not, however, the deal could encounter insurmountable headwinds.
Hawaiian Airlines without the Alaska acquisition.
It isn’t clear whether Hawaiian Airlines can stand alone any longer. The small Hawaii bellwether continues to suffer from the Hawaii travel decline that followed Covid, and especially the prolonged failure of international travel to return to normal.
See: Could Hawaiian Airlines Survive Without Alaska Deal? A World Of Emotion And Change.
Advertisement
Then, in 2023, the airline faced the brunt of the impact following the Lahaina fire. Add to that the endless Airbus A321neo engine problems and repairs that are still not over, and ongoing technology/infrastructure issues. It’s been suggested that in addition to extreme debt, the airline may lose an additional $300 million in 2024.
Are you in favor of the Hawaiian merger with Alaska? How do you think this will turn out?
At UH Hilo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not simply a subject taught in classrooms, it is a living language that connects us to this place, to one another, and to the generations who came before us.
This column is by Pelehonuamea Harman, director of Native Hawaiian engagement at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. In her columns, Pele shares Native Hawaiian protocols on the use of ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), cultural traditions, traditional ways of Indigenous learning, and more. This column is on Mahina ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), celebrated every February to honor the Hawaiian language.Pelehonuamea Harman
Each year, the month of Pepeluali marks Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, a time dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the Hawaiian language. At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not simply a subject taught in classrooms, it is a living language that connects us to this place, to one another, and to the generations who came before us.
While Pepeluali gives us a focused moment of celebration, the Hawaiian language should not live only within a single month. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi thrives when it is used every day.
Advertisement
One of the simplest and most meaningful ways to begin is by pronouncing the words we already encounter daily with accuracy and care. Hawaiian is an oral language carried through voice and relationship. When we take the time to say words correctly, we demonstrate respect for the language and for the poʻe (people) who have worked tirelessly to ensure its survival.
Across our own campus, we have opportunities to do this every day.
Let us honor the names of our places by using them fully:
An attendee at celebrations on May 6, 2023, takes a photo of the new Edith Kanakaʻole mural by artist Kamea Hadar. The mural is located at Edith Kanakaʻole Hall, named after beloved educator Aunty Edith, on the campus of UH Hilo. (Photo: UH System News)
Kanakaʻole Hall, not “K-Hall.” (Formally Edith Kanakaʻole Hall, named after our beloved kumu.)
Waiʻōlino, not “CoBE,” for our College of Business and Economics. (Formally Hānau ʻO Waiʻōlino; waiʻōlino literally means sparkling waters, alluding here to bringing forth waters of wellbeing and prosperity.)
These names are not merely labels for buildings. They carry ʻike (knowledge), history, and meaning. Speaking them in their entirety acknowledges the stories and values embedded within them.
Advertisement
Using ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi does not require fluency. It simply requires willingness. Each of us already knows words we can begin using more intentionally.
Greet one another with aloha.
Express gratitude with mahalo whenever possible.
Small choices like these help normalize Hawaiian language in our daily interactions and strengthen UH Hilo’s identity as a place grounded in Hawaiʻi.
One of the most common questions I am asked is: How do you respond in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi when someone says “mahalo” to you?
Advertisement
Here are three simple and appropriate responses:
ʻAʻole pilikia — It’s no problem.
He mea iki — It is just a little thing.
Noʻu ka hauʻoli — The pleasure is mine.
There is no single correct answer. What matters most is participating in the exchange and allowing the language to live through conversation.
Advertisement
Aerial view of the UH Hilo campus with Hilo Bay in the distance. UH Hilo’s commitment to Native Hawaiian success and place-based education calls on all of us to help create an environment where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is visible, audible, and welcomed. (Archive photo)
UH Hilo holds a unique and important role as Hawaiʻi Island’s university. Our commitment to Native Hawaiian success and place-based education calls on all of us to help create an environment where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is visible, audible, and welcomed.
You do not need to wait until you feel ready. You do not need to know many words. The language grows stronger each time it is spoken.
So during Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and throughout the entire year I encourage the UH Hilo ʻohana to:
Use the Hawaiian words you already know.
Pronounce names and places with intention and care.
Greet others with aloha.
Share mahalo often.
Because when we use ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, we are doing more than speaking words, we are helping to perpetuate and uplift the native language of our home.
E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Let the Hawaiian language live.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Tread Rosenthal, Trevell Jordan and Louis Sakanoko put up a triple block against BYU Cougars Trevor Herget during Wednesday’s NCAA men’s volleyball match at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Kainoa Wade came on strong to lead another balanced Hawaii attack with 16 kills and the third-ranked Rainbow Warriors responded to a rare set loss in a big way to defeat No. 6 Brigham Young 27-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18 tonight.
A Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 4,800, who showed up for a match scheduled just three weeks ago as a late addition to the schedule, saw Hawaii (13-1) drop the second set despite hitting .538.
UH had full command of the rest of the match and finished the night hitting .460 as a team. Louis Sakanoko added 15 kills, six digs and three aces and Adrien Roure had 14 kills in 24 swings.
Middle Travell Jordan posted a season-high seven kills in 11 swings with four blocks and Ofeck Hazan, who came into the match to start the third set, had four kills and two blocks.
Trent Moser had 18 kills to lead the Cougars (13-3), whose previous two losses came in five sets against No. 4 UC Irvine.
Advertisement
UH’s loss in the second set was just its sixth of the season and third in its 13 wins. Hawaii has won 10 matches in a row.
Don’t miss out on what’s happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!
The two teams will play again on Friday night at 7.
