Hawaiian Airlines spread a little aloha spirit in Sydney today surprising morning commuters emerging from Martin Place underground train station in Sydney’s CBD with a warm Hawaiian leis greeting.
The airline gifted 500 fresh, handmade floral leis to Sydneysiders as a sweet surprise in the lead up to traditional Lei Day celebrations in Hawaii.
It was smiles all round from commuters in suits, joggers slowing momentarily, families with prams, nurses in scrubs and several expat Hawaiians who were thrilled to see ‘my people’.
“I’m en route to a board meeting and I’d love a lei, but I’d better not, although I fly frequently and I do rate Hawaiian,” said one CEO.
“I’ve flown Hawaiian five times and I’m planning to take my children back,” said a Sydney Mum.
“Can I have 5? I’ll take the to my team because I just got back from Hawaii!” said another.
Every year on 01 May, Hawaii comes alive with colourful festivities, vibrant cultural performances and pageantry celebrating Lei Day, a time-honoured tradition paying homage to the symbolism of the lei, as a representation of love, friendship, and the aloha spirit.
“What better way to remind everyone of the warm hospitality that awaits visitors to Hawaii than sharing a cherished cultural tradition right in the middle of Sydney,” said Andrew Best, Hawaiian Airlines, Regional Director, South Pacific Sales.
Hawaii’s hometown airline created a pop-up lei stand in Martin Place as part of the airline’s ‘Aloha Around the World campaign’. Commuters across in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Hawaii are also bring treated to the same traditional greeting.
