Hawaiian Airlines on October 28 celebrated the upcoming epic animated musical, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” coming to theaters Nov. 27, by unveiling the first of three “Moana 2” aircraft designs. Hawaiian’s Airbus A330 aircraft features the courageous wayfinder Moana; the shape-shifting demigod, Maui, the small-but-menacing Kakamora, as well as a “Welcome Voyagers” message for all guests embarking on their next adventure onboard Hawaiʻi’s hometown airline.
Next month, Hawaiian will reveal two additional custom character decals adorning an Airbus A321neo, which serves select U.S. markets and the Cook Islands, and a Boeing 717 aircraft, which operates between the Hawaiian Islands.
The overhead luggage bins on all three “Moana 2”-themed aircraft are also being decorated with characters and artwork from the film. Guests can continue the exploration with a bespoke “Moana 2” AR experience, which will debut with the second livery reveal.
The planes will fly on Hawaiian’s regularly scheduled U.S. domestic routes as well as to international destinations including American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti through March 2025.
To celebrate the collaboration, Hawaiian will surprise and delight guests on the first A330, A321 and Boeing B717 flights with special gifts. The airline today also announced its Navigate Your Own Adventure sweepstakes*, which kicks off today and runs through Nov. 30 for residents in the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Five winners – one from each market – will receive 500,000 HawaiianMiles.
Hawaiian honors traditional celestial navigational practices used by early Polynesian voyagers by naming its aircraft after local birds, stars and native plants and forests. Each “Moana 2” aircraft was specially chosen based on its name:
Hōkūleʻa / Airbus A330: Hawaiian name for Hawaiʻi’s zenith star Arcturus, as well as the famed Hawaiian voyaging canoe.
Koa / Airbus A321neo: Acacia koa is the preferred wood for building Polynesian voyaging canoes.
ʻElepaio / Boeing 717: Native Hawaiian bird considered to be the guardian of canoe builders.
Each plane in Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet bears a unique and special name, given and revealed during the blessing of each aircraft
before it entered service.
Our Boeing 717s are named after local birds, our Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s after stars or constellations used by Polynesian voyagers for celestial navigation, and our
Airbus A321neos after native plants and forests.
Here is a complete list of names:
Boeing 787 Aircraft Names
N780HA Kālepa
N781HA Kapuahi Aldebaran
Airbus A330 Aircraft Names
N360HA Tutukamolehonua Gacrux
N370HA Kuamo‘o Milky Way
N373HA Kūkalaniʻehu Aries
N374HA Melemele Corvus
N375HA Humu Aquila
N378HA Kaukamalama A star that rises with Kawelolani
N379HA Pau-ahi Delphinus
N380HA Makali’i Pleiades
N381HA Hōkūle‘a Arcturus
N382HA Iwakelii Cassiopeia
N383HA Hanaiakamalama Southern Cross
N384HA Hokupaa Polaris
N385HA Manaiakalani Scorpio
N386HA Heiheionakeiki Belt and Sword of Orion
N388HA Nahiku Big Dipper
N389HA Kealiiokonaikalewa Canopus
N390HA Namahoe Gemini
N391HA Hokulei Capella
N392HA Hikianalia Spica
N393HA Lehuakona Antares
N395HA ‘A’a Sirius
N396HA Keoe Vega
N399HA Kumau Polaris
N361HA Hōkū Mau In honor of Micronesia navigator Mau Piailug
Boeing 717 Aircraft Names
N475HA ʻIʻiwi Scarlet Honeycreeper
N476HA ʻElepaio Monarch Flycatcher
N477HA ʻApapane Laysan Honeycreeper
N478HA ʻAmakihi Hawaiian Honeycreeper
N479HA ʻAkepa Hawaiian Forest Bird
N480HA Pueo Short-eared Owl
N481HA ʻAlauahio Oʻahu Creeper
N483HA ‘Anianiau Hawaiian Honeycreeper
N484HA ‘Ōma’o Hawaiian Thrush
N485HA Palila Finch
Airbus A321neo Aircraft Names
N202HA Maile Vine native to Hawaiʻi used for lei making and celebrations
N204HA ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Species of flowering evergreen tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae
N205HA Kalo A starchy root vegetable that has served as a cultural and dietary staple
in Native Hawaiian history
N208HA Koa A native tree that is endemic to Hawai‘i and is praised for its beautiful
wood
N209HA ‘Iliahi Sandalwood
N212HA Wiliwili A native leguminous tree found on dry coral plains and on lava flows
N213HA Lama A native tree that belongs to the same genus as persimmons and
ebony
N214HA Kukui Candlenut tree
N215HA Uhiuhi A native tree with wood that is strong and formerly used for hōlua
(sleds), spears, digging sticks, and house construction
N216HA Mamane A native tree that is known for its golden yellow flowers that bloom
every winter
N217HA Kauila A native tree that can only be found on O‘ahu and the Island of Hawai‘i
and was once used to construct heavy tools such as poles, weapons
and fishing tools
N218HA Kou A native tree with soft but durable wood that is commonly used to
make bowls and utensils
N220HA Milo A native tree that was a popular shade tree. Though it had many uses,
such as food bowls and platters, it was considered sacred. It is said that
the house of King Kamehameha I in Waikīkī was surrounded by milo.
N223HA Hau A tree with lightweight wood and strong, fibrous bark was commonly
used in making outrigger canoes. Hau boasts several medicinal
properties and is a member of the hibiscus family.
N226HA Loulu A palm tree native to the Hawaiian Islands.
N227HA Olopua A native olive tree only found in the Hawaiian Islands.
