J. Parker Erkmann T: + l 202 776 2036 perkmann@cooley .com

January 20, 2015

Docket Operations and Media Management U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE BY HAND DELIVERY & REGULATIONS.GOV

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 Washington, D.C. 20590

RE: Support for Application of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.'s to Serve Kona International Airport (Docket DOT -OST -201 0-0018)

Enclosed please find 13 letters of support from various business entities expressing their strong support for the proposal of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian") to initiate service between Kona International Airport ("Kona") and Tokyo's Haneda Airport ("Haneda"). These supporters include, among many others, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union representing 1800 Hawaiian employees; the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce representing more than 500 members; and the Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce representing 270 businesses and over 600 members. These letters recognize the significant economic and public interest benefits of Hawaiian's application.

Also enclosed is an example of more than 800 letters from citizens and business leaders expressing their support for Hawaiian's proposed Kona-Haneda service.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,

# /w4_~ J. Parker Erkmann Counsel for Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.

JPE:ec

Enclosures

113319607

1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2400 T: (202) 842-7800 F: (202) 842-7899 WWW.COOLEY.COMLLP Docket Operations and Media Management January 20, 2015 Page Two

Hawaiian Airlines Support Letter

-Index1. Airline Employees Lodge 1979

2. Aston Hotels & Resorts



### 3. Avis Budge Group

4. Courtyard Marriott



### 5. Four Seasons Resort



### 6. Hawai'i Construction Alliance

7. Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce

8. Hilton Waikoloa Village

9. Hilton Worldwide

10. Hilton Worldwide

11. KTA Super Stores

12. Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce

13. Starwood Hotels and Resorts

1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2400 T: (202) 842-7800 F: (202) 842-7899 WWW.COOLEY.COMLLP Docket Operations and Media Management January 20, 2015 Page Three

Date

Friends of Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines HI 96820-0008

DOT-OST-2010-0018 Friends of Hawaiian Airlines,

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

I am writing to strongly support Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide daily nonstop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kona International Airport on Hawai'i Island.

This route would provide significant public interest benefit to the economy of Hawai'i and, by extension, the economy of the United States. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority estimates daily service using a 294-seat A330 aircraft will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kona every year, supporting a total of 1 ,638 jobs. Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39,000 of those visitors will be additional visitors to the state, generating 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in totally new sales.

The Japanese people have a great affection for Hawai'i, and Kona in particular. Providing a nonstop option to Hawai'i Island would be commercially successful and a wonderful use of this slot pair.

Hawaiian Airlines' application has clear and compelling public benefits and we urge you to approve it.

Sincerely,

1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2400 T: (202) 842-7800 F: (202) 842-7899 WWW.COOLEY.COMllP Docket Operations and Media Management January 20, 2015 Page Four

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Consolidated Reply of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.
was served this 20 1 h day of January 2015 via email transmission or U.S. mail on the following:
megan.lawrence@alaskaair. com Jeremy. Ross@alaskaair. com kyle.levine@alaskaair. com d heffernan@cozen. com abigail.donovan@aa.com francis.heil@aa.com howard. kass@aa. com robert.wirick@aa.com sascha. vanderbellen@delta. com chris.walker@delta.com dan. weiss@united. com Thomas.bolling@united.com steve. morrissey@united. com gmurphy@crowell.com englets@state.gov finstonma@state.gov urskr@state.gov cristinasa@state.gov info@airlineinfo.com

Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae Embassy of Japan 2520 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 charles.hunnicutt@thompsonhine.com patricia.snyder@thompsonhine.com seth. waxman@wilmerhale. com sseiden@crowell. com robert.finamore@dot.gov brett. kruger@dot.gov paul.gretch@dot.gov todd. homan@dot.gov brian.hedberg@dot.gov peter.irvine@dot.gov john.s.duncan@faa.gov glindsey@lawa.org ejames@jamhoff.com ishiwata. k@portseattle. org safora. i@portseattle. org Mike. Donatelli@alpa. org

,, (_.
_,._..,_ ;t·".i'?./-:(:_ __./
Erin Combs

1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2400 T: (202) 842-7800 F: (202) 842-7899 WWW.COOLEY.COMJanuary 12, 2015 

# AIRLINE EMPLOYEES LODGE 1979

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
1934 Hau Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-3255 Area Code (808) 832-0261 Fax (BOB) 832-0269

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union, which represents approximately 1800 Hawaiian Airlines employees based in Hawaii providing services in a wide range of skills from Mechanics to Baggage Services and Customer Services would like to submit this document in strong support of Hawaiian Airlines application to the Department of Transportation to provide daily service from Japan to Kana, Hi.

Not only would this greatly benefit the State of Hawaii, whose economic health relies majorly

on a strong stream of tourist, it would also require Hawaiian Airlines and other supporting businesses to create additional jobs to support the added influx of visitors to the Island of Hawaii. On an island where good paying jobs are already hard to find, the daily projected service would provide much needed employment opportunities in Kana for our members who currently are required to commute to Oahu to maintain employment. Being able to secure employment in their own home town and not ride an airplane two hours per day to and from work because of the commute would give our members such a better quality of life not only for them but for their families

.
We estimate this would provide our current members and hopefully future members an additional 40-50 job positions at the Kana airport at Hawaiian Airlines to support this flight and would appreciate the Department's understanding when awarding this slot the positive impact it would have on our members and surrounding communities.

We thank the DOT for taking the time read this letter and will be waiting patiently and with anticipation that good news will be announced

.

Thank you

.

Brian Simonson President IAM&AW Local Lodge 1979

David FigueiCVice-President IAM&AW local Lodge 1979

· "C:iP

-

# ,r

ASTON

Hotels & Re s.cns

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx: January 7, 2015

I am writing this letter in strong support of Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide daily nonstop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kana International Airport

on Hawai'i Island. As I'm sure you're aware, when Japan Airlines discontinued their daily service to Kana a number of years ago, visitor counts from Japan declined noticeably. Having managed hotels on the island of Hawaii early in my career, I can attest to the profound difference Japanese visitors made to the island economy
- one that is generally the most fragile of all of Hawaii's islands.

As home to one of only three international airports in our state, Kana is the ideal choice for this

new route, which would greatly benefit the economy of Hawai'i Island and the state in general. According to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority the planned flights will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kana every year, supporting a total of 1,638 jobs. Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39,000 of those visitors will be additional visitors to the state, generating 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in totally new sales.

Hawaiian Airlines has been a stable provider of service to and from Japan since 2010 and there is no doubt that their record of excellent service reflective of Hawaii's renowned "sprit of aloha" will continue with this route. I strongly encourage you to approve their request.

MB:krs

# (;~ 

# Z:. w

-

B

3

President

MB2015-01

ASTON HOTELS & RESORTS, llC • 2155 KalakauaAvenue • 5th Floor • Honolulu • Hawaii • 96815-2398 • 808.931.1400 • AstonHotels.comGordon Umi Kai Regional Sales and Marketing Manager 808-840-5510 T 808-838-2381 F gordon.kai@avisbudget.com

Avis Budget Group, Inc. 3375 Koapaka St. Suite B203 Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 

### The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT

‐ OST

‐ 2010

‐ 0018

Aloha Mr. Foxx and Happy New Year, January 6, 2015

Allowing Hawaiian Air to fly the Haneda to Kona route would be a great economic boost, not only for the Hawaii Island community but also for the entire state.

The Kona Coast and Hilo is a fast growing marketplace for the Japanese as they become repeat visitors to these islands and this new flight would be a welcomed new entry way to explore more than Waikiki.

This flight would allow businesses like Avis and Budget to consider building a larger fleet of cars and employing more Hawaii Island residents.

Please allow this route and I know you will hear high praises form both sides of the Pacific.

Mahalo,

Gordon Umi Kai Regional Sales and Marketing Manager Avis Budget Group 3375 Koapaka St. Suite: B

‐ 203 Honolulu, HI 96819

Phone: 808

‐ 840

‐ 5510 direct Email: gordon.kai@avisbudget.com75-5660 Palani Road / Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Telephone (808) 329-2911 / Fax (808) 329-4602 

### January 06, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

RE: DOT - OST-2010-0018

Dear Honorable Anthony Foxx,
On behalf of the Courtyard by Marriott King Kameham eha’s Kona Beach Hotel staff and employees, I am in strong support of the application by Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. to provide passenger non-stop air service daily scheduled for this summer between Tok yo International Airport at Haneda and Kona International Airport on Hawai’i Island.
We welcome the exciting news that Hawaiian Airlines has again filed an application for a daily, direct flight between Haneda and Kona. With the additiona l 294 people per day to Hawaii Island this will stimulate significant growth for our hotel and our economy with the potential new direct spending of $ 65 million in revenue. Establishing a direct flight f rom Haneda to Kona is vital to our growth by visito r arrivals, daily spending, hotel occupancy, new empl oyment, restaurant covers and activity bookings.
The King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel has been pro viding hospitality to our visitors and has been an integral part of our local community for over 40 years. Our visitor industry is largely dependent o n customers traveling by air and a large percentage o f our business is supported by our Far East custome rs. In speaking with our industry partners their number one concern is airlift into Kona and the ability t o get a direct flight. Hawaiian Airlines has a proven track record and has already established a strong presen ce in Japan with its Honolulu – Haneda, Osaka and Fukuoka connection and is the preferred airline of the islands.
We value our ties between Hawaii and Japan and feel confident that Hawaiian Airlines is the right choi ce to service the Haneda to Kona route. This addition al direct flight delivers a much needed boost for o ur economy, for the airline industry, for the visitor industry in Hawaii, most importantly employment for our residents.
We kindly ask for your consideration and support to approve Hawaiian Airlines’ application for an operating slot at Haneda to allow service for a dir ect flight between Haneda, Japan and Kona, Hawai`i.
With warm regards,

Jak Hu General ManagerROBERT WIDTFIELD Regional Vice President and General Manager

January 6, 2015 

### FouR SEASONs RESORT

### ~~·a/~~%a~

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT Docket #OST-2010-0018

Aloha Secretary Foxx,

I am submitting this letter in strong support of the application by Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. to provide nonstop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kona International Airport, Hawai'i Island. This new, daily direct flight will have the capacity to bring an additional39,000 visitors a year and positively impact our island's economy.

Air service from Japan directly to Kona will provide a much-needed boost to our State's economy by bringing Japanese tourists to the State. Tourism is our biggest business in Hawaii and Japanese tourists spending money in Hawaii, filling our hotels and restaurants, and buying
at our stores will provide badly needed economic stimulus to our economy and provide new employment opportunities for our citizens.

We are fortunate to have valued Japanese guests here at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai who visit with their families from year-to-year. With the proposed Hawaiian Airlines additional flight,

we anticipate adding to the list of Japanese visitors who look forward to their annual visits to

our resort, consequently adding revenue to our community and improving job security for our employees.

I urge the Department to approve Hawaiian Airlines' application for an operating slot at Haneda
to allow service for a direct flight between Haneda, Japan and Kona, Hawai'i.

Sincerely yours,

# ~c_QjQ~) Robert Whitfield

RW/rc

72-100 KA'UPULEHU DRIVE, KAILUA-KONA, HAWAl'I 96740, U.S.A.
TEL: (808) 325-8000 FAX: (808) 325-8057 www.fourseasons.com/hualalaiJanuary 5, 2015
The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

RE: Docket #OST-2010-0018
Dear Mr. Secretary,
The Hawai‘i Construction Alliance is in strong support of the a pplication of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. to provide passenger air service from Kona International Airport at Keahol e to Tokyo Haneda Airport.

The Hawai‘i Construction Alliance is comprised of the Hawai‘i R egional Council of Carpenters; the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Union, Local 630; International Union of Bricklayers & A llied Craftworkers, Local 1; the Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 36 8; and the Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 3. Together, the member unions of the Hawai‘i Construction Allianc e represent 15,000 worki ng men and women in the basic crafts of our state’ s construction industry.
A direct Kona-Haneda route would provide enormous economic bene fits for the State of Hawai‘i. Analyses indicate that Kona-Tokyo service would generate 1,151 new jobs, 65 milli on in new direct spending and $117 million in new sales for the local economy.
In recent years, the tourism industry in the Kona region has su pported a number of major construction projects which have provided gainful employment for Hawai‘i Island’s car penters, laborers, m asons, and operating engineers. Examples of the strong connection between tourism an d construction include the r ecent renovations at the Hilton Waikoloa Village , Mauna Kea Resort and Ha puna Beach Hote l, and the long-planned revitalization of the Kona Village Resort. We anticipa te that additional visitors fro m Japan will further drive construction activity on Hawai‘i Island.

The economic benefits would not b e limited to Hawai‘i Island. A ccording to its applicatio n, Hawaiian Airlines will also offer attractive connecting service to Maui and Honolulu i n conjunction with its Kona-Tokyo flight. The increased capacity proposed by Haw aiian Airlines would give Haw ai‘i residents additional options to travel to Asia, and will also allow Japanese visitors the opportunity to visit other islands and potentially continue onward to mainland US destinations.
On behalf of our members, their families, and the community at large, we respectfully urge you to support Hawaiian Airlines’ application to provide passenger air service from Kon a International Airport at Keahole to T okyo Haneda Airport.
Sincerely,

Tyler Dos Santos-Tam Executive Director Hawai‘i Construction Alliance

cc via email: The Honorable Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator The Honorable Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator The Honorable Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative Ms. Ann Botticelli, Hawaiian Airlines P.O. Box 179441 Honolulu, HI 96817

(808) 348-8885 

# Hawai ʻ i Construction Alliance

# Hawai‘i Islan d

Chamber of Commerce 117 Keawe Street, Suite 205 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720

- 2851 Phone: (808) 935

- 7178 Fax: (808) 961

- 4435 E

- mail: admin@hicc.biz

www.hicc.biz



### January 15, 2015

Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

To the Honorable Anthony Foxx,
My name is Chuck Erskine and I am the President of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. With more t han 270 member businesses and professionals and over 6 00 member representatives, the Chamber serves as an important voice of business in Hawaii.

The Chamber strongly supports the application put forth by Hawaiian Airlines requesting service between Kona, H awai'i and Tokyo, Japan (Haneda Airport).

 Market data demonstrates that Hawai'i is the strongest market for Haneda service.

o The Tokyo

- Kona market is one of the largest U.S. destination markets without non

- stop service.

o Hawaiian Airline’s Tokyo

- Honolulu ser vice has been the most stable of the four Haneda

- U.S. routes awarded in 2010.

o Hawaiian Airlines has earned a reputation in Japan for unparalleled service and authentic Hawaiian hospitality.

 Direct service between Tokyo and Kona will provide significant pub lic interest benefits.

o The Hawai'i Tourism Authority estimates daily service will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kona every year.

o Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39,000 of those visitors will be additional visitors to the State.

o The additional visitor t raffic will generate 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in new sales.
For all of these reasons, we feel that it is eminent that a direct flight between Hawai'i Island and Japan be reinstated in order to support both the lo cal island economy while also uplifting Hawai'i’s tourism economy as a whole. We humbly ask for your support of this application.

Sincerely,

Chuck Erskine President Executive Officer Miles Yoshioka

2014

- 2015 Board

President Chuck Erskine

President

- Elect Leslie Ka‘iu Kimura

Vice President Michael Kaleikini

Treasurer Vaughn Cook

Immediate Past President Judith Fox

- Goldstein

Directors

Russel l Chin Newton Chu Nathan Colgrove John Cross Jackie De Luz Watanabe Jay Ignacio Randy K urohara Kapena Lum Keith Marrack Tani Matsubara Stephanie Nagata Spencer Oliver Glenn Santos Wesley Segawa Margaret Stanley Donald Straney Gordon Takaki Craig Takamine Barry Taniguchi Misti Tyrin Carol VanCamp William Walter Noreen YamaneJanuary 6, 2015

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U

. S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave

. , S

. E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Aloha Secretary Foxx:

Re: DOT- OST-2010-0018 

# ®. Hilton

WA I K O L

OA V I L L AG E •

I am writing to strongly support Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide daily non-stop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kana International Airport on Hawai'i Island.

This route would provide significant benefit to the economy of Hawai'i, and by extension, the economy of the United States. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority estimates that daily service using

a 294-seat A330 aircraft will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kana every year, supporting a total of 1,638 jobs. Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39,000 of those visitors will be additional vi s itors
to our state, generating 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in total new sales.

The people of Japan have a great affection for Hawai'i, and Kona in particular. Providing a nonstop option to Hawai'i Island would be commercially successful and a tremendous boost to our economy.

Hawaiian Airlines' application has clear and compelling public benefits and we strongly urge you to approve it.

General Manager

HILTO N WA I KO L OA V I L L A G E ® 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr. I Waikoloa, HI 96738
T: 808-886-12341 F : 808-886-2900 I www.hil t onwaikoloav i llage.com



## ®. AMERI C AS • E U ROPE • M I DDL E EA S T • AFR I CA • A S I A · A U S TRALA S I A

### The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT- OST-2010-0018 

# n

. HILTON

WORLDWIDE



### January 6, 2015

I am writing to strongly support Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide daily nonstop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kana International Airport on Hawai'i Island.

This route would provide significant public interest benefit to the economy ofHawai'i and, by extension, the economy of the United States. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority estimates daily service using a 294-seat A330 aircraft will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kana every year, supporting a total of 1,638 jobs. Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39,000 of those visitors will be additional visitors to the state, generating 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in totally new sales.

The Japanese people have a great affection for Hawai'i, and Kana in particular. Providing a nonstop option to Hawai'i Island would be commercially successful and a wonderful use of this slot pair.

Hawaiian Airlines' application has clear and compelling public benefits and we urge you to approve it.

Sincerely,

Gerard C. Gib s on Area Vice Pre s id ent- Hilton Worldwide Kalia Tower
, Hilt on Worldwide, Hawaii Region

. 2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815

### The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT- OST-2010-0018 

# HILTON

WORLDWIDE



### January 6, 2014

I am writing to strongly support Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide daily nonstop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kona International Airport on Hawai'i Island.

This route would provide significant public interest benefit to the economy ofHawai'i and, by extension
, the economy of the United States. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority estimates daily service using a 294-seat A330 aircraft will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kona every year, supporting a total of 1,638 jobs. Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39
, 000 of those visitors will be additional visitors to the state, generating 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in totally new sales.
,

The Japanese people have a great affection for Hawai'i, and Kona in particular. Providing a nonstop option to Hawai'i Island would be commercially successful and a wonderful use of this slot pair.

Hawaiian Airlines' application has clear and compelling public benefits and we urge you to approve it.

Sincerely,

Jon C nching Lora Gallagher Regional Vice President, Sales & 

### Marketing Regional Director of Marketing

Cynthia Rankin Director of Corporate Communications

Hilton Worldwide, Hawaii Region. 2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815

### January 7, 2015

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

RE: Docket

- OST

- 2010

- 0018

Dear Secretary Foxx
, We wish to express our strong support fo r the Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. application to provide passenger a ir service from Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan to Kona International Airport.
Our island state is dependent on air transportation and Hawaiian Airlines has been an excellent pro vider since 1929. Tourism is our state’s largest industry and Hawaiian Air ’s extensive schedule provides frequent connections to all Hawaiian islands, as well as other out of state destinations creating expansion opportunities to many mark ets. Direct air service from Japan to Kona will provide an estimated additional $ 117 million dollars into the economy of Hawaii. The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimates daily service will bring nearly 92,000 visitors annually, 39,000 of which will be new to the state.

P resently, the state of Hawaii is the largest travel market for Japanese visitors to the U.S. K ona is the second largest “origin and destination” market without a nonstop flight making it one of the most underserved market s in the United States.

Our bus iness is a family owned retail grocery chain on the Island of Hawaii. We have been in business since 1916 and have experienced the ups and downs of our economy for over 9 8 years. We believe the direct Japan to Kona service will be a positive opportunity f or our local economy.
We strongly recommend the U.S. Department of Transportation approve Hawaiian Airlines’ application. They have established a strong and differentiated brand presence in Tokyo and have an exemplary record of leading the nation’s carrie rs in on

- time service for the past decade

.
Please feel free to contact me via email at barry_taniguchi@ktasuperstores.com if you have any questions regarding our letter of support for Hawaiian Airlines.
Sincerely,

Barry K. Taniguchi President Barry K. Taniguchi 50 E. Puainako Street, Hilo Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 959

- 28 17, Fax (808) 959

- 8050 E

- mail: barry_taniguchi@ktasuperstores.com

### January 15, 2015
The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

RE: DOT Docket # OST

- 2010

- 0018

Aloha Secretary Foxx ,
On behalf of the Kona

- Kohala Chamber of Commerce and its 500 + membership, I am submitting this letter in strong support of the application by Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. to provide passenger air service from Kona International Airport, Hawai’i Island to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda

. The Kona

- Kohala Chamber of Commerce is the leading business advocacy organization on the west side of Hawai’i Island. We actively work to enhance the environment, unique lifestyle and quality of life in West Hawai’i for our residents and visitors alike.

Tou rism continues to be a key economic driver for our island and our state. While it is true our state is recording strong recovery numbers ( 4.2 % unemployment for October 2014 ) , Hawai’i Island lags behind as our unemployment numbers continue to hover around 5.3 %. This proposed flight will inject our economy with much needed revenue that has a multiplier effect

. Not only will our hotels, activity and restaurant members’ benefit, but many other sectors of our local economy. Of the estimated 1, 151 additional j obs created by this service , the majority would take place on this island and would strongly impact our slow yet steady recovery.
Japanese visitors have proven their affection for Hawai’i as evidenced by the travel numbers

– the state of Hawai’i hosted 1,379,880 J apanese visitors in 2013 and final numbers will show another strong year for 2014 . Hawai’i Island,

even without a non

- stop flight, was the second largest market between Japan and the U.S. This direct Japan

- Kona flight will provide a second int ernational gateway while also offering easy access to our neighbor islands with Hawaiian’s connector flights. In addition, our local community has strong tie s to the Asian market as over 38 % of our island population i s Asian, as reported in the 2012 U.S. C ensus Bureau report for Hawai`i.
Hawaiian Airlines has a proven track record and has already established a strong presence in Japan with its Honolulu

– Haneda, Osaka and SendaiJanuary 15, 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Page Two



### flights

. Their fl eet modernization program included adding new long

- range Airbus A330 aircraft, making their fleet the youngest in the industry. They follow through on their commitment to “ service, safety and the spirit of aloha ” with every flight, making a Hawaiian Airlin es flight a true Hawaiian experience.
As I contemplate a possible increase of 92,000 + visitors a year to our state , I can’t help but feel a sense of renewed optimism for West Hawai’i . As Board Chair for the past two years and Board member for many more , I have come to know our membership and the people who choose to make this island their home. They are hard

- working, compassionate, creative and resourceful. But many are still struggling to overcome the effects of the negative economy of the past few yea rs. This flight has the capability to set in motion a ripple effect that positively impacts more than just an industry

– it will impact an entire island.

I humbly urge the Department to approve Hawaiian Airlines’ appli cation for an operating slot at Han eda to allow service for a direct flight between Haneda, Japan and Kona, Hawai`i . The consequences for our Island are beyond

measure.
Sincerely,
Tracey Fosso Kona

- Kohala Chamber of Commerce Board ChairJanuary 9, 2015

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT-OST-2010-0018 

# star.wood

Hotels and Resorts

I am writing to strongly support Hawaiian Airlines' application to provide daily nonstop service between Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Kona International Airport on Hawai'i Island. We have a strong interest in this opportunity and our property, The Sheraton Kona Resort, would directly benefit with the increase in tourism this would provide to us and the destination.

Market data demonstrates that Hawai'i is the strongest market for Haneda service. The Tokyo-Kana market is one of the largest U.S. destination markets without non-stop service. Hawaiian's TokyoHonolulu service has been the most stable of the four Haneda-U.S. route awarded in 2010. Hawaiian Airlines has earned a reputation in Japan for unparalleled service and hospitality.

Currently, the Honolulu International Airport is at full capacity in the mornings due to the many international arrivals. The approval of the Hawaiian Airlines' daily service to the Kona International Airport will enable tourism to grow from Tokyo to Hawaii, particularly to the neighbor islands, and support the long term growth of Hawaii's economy.

This route would provide significant public interest benefit to the economy of Hawai'i and, by extension, the economy of the United States. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority estimates daily service using a 294-seat A330 aircraft will bring nearly 92,000 visitors to Kona every year, supporting a total of 1,638 jobs. Hawaiian Airlines calculates that 39,000 of those visitors will be additional visitors to the state, generating 1,151 new jobs, $65 million in new direct spending and $117 million in totally

new sales.

The Japanese people have a great affection for Hawai'i, and Kona in particular. Providing a nonstop option to Hawai'i Island would be commercially successful and a wonderful use of this slot pair.

Hawaiian Airlines' application has clear and compelling public benefits and we urge you to approve it.

Sincerely, 

# ---JQ\-

Harris Chan VP, Operations 

# ....

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Hawaii & French Polynesia