Up in the Air

      More Letters From Paradise
           Up in the Air
      Remember Eastern, Republic, Mojave, TWA, and Pan Am? Sure you do, they were once airlines. I miss most of all Pan Am, for its rich association  with Hawaii. Huge flying boats with luxury, 18 hours flying time from California.

       I would bet that you can't name the oldest U.S. airline. Give up? It's our own Hawaiian Airlines. This is its 85th year of operation. In the 1930's it had flying boats, as did Pan Am.
      Tonto, her girlfriend Ann, and I were invited to a luncheon with a group of women who had been stewardesses, on Hawaiian Airlines. I was one of the four men attending. One man had been a pilot of fighter planes and had also flown for the airline. Another man had the distinction  of being the youngest employee at age 13, as a baggage handler. The third man was the Archivist for the airline. He brought with him many photographs, which were passed around each table. He gave a short talk about the history of the airline. He told that during WWII, the windows of each plane were painted over with black paint. You may have guessed that it did not include the pilot's window. There were also some planes which had bullet holes needing repair.
      A story was told by the pilot how all the passengers on one flight were moved forward, while a blanket was spread on the cabin floor for a woman in childbirth. I am sure that there were many stories shared that day between the women.
      The lunch was excellent, and then the women all danced hula to a ukulele. They were very good. Tables were covered with donated items for sale. The spirit of aloha filled the room. A good time was had by all. This event should have been the local paper. But anyway, here's to you gallant women, and Hawaiian Airlines on its 85th birthday.

        Aloha
        Grant