Hawaiian Airlines marked an important cultural milestone Monday by establishing an olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language) certification program for employees. The certification, launched in time to celebrate ‘Olelo Hawai‘i Month, is available at no cost to Hawaiian’s 7,200-plus employees, broadens the carrier’s commitment to honor and perpetuate Hawaii’s culture.

The airline developed the certification program in consultation with numerous Hawaiian-language experts.

To be eligible, employees must be existing speakers and demonstrate advanced proficiency through an oral and reading exam. Those qualified are recognized with the Hawaii state flag imprinted on their name tag, placing olelo Hawaii speakers alongside colleagues at the company who are fluent in a variety of languages, including French, Japanese, Korean and Samoan.

ON THE MOVE

AARP Hawaii has announced the appointment of Jessica Wooley as its new advocacy director. She served the state House of Representatives between 2008 to 2014 and represented Windward Oahu. Wooley also served as CEO of ‘Aina Aloha Consulting since 2016 as well as director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control and deputy attorney general and attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.