A Samoan-American woman, Tracy Sialega-Fili, has called for greater acceptance of cultural tattoos after being dismissed from her job at Hawaiian Airlines due to her traditional hand tattoo, the tualima.
Sialega-Fili, who worked for the airline for nearly four years, got the tattoo in May to honor her father’s health struggles. “The tualima… speaks on the journey my dad takes with his medical struggles, as well as my journey in taking care of him,” she told ABC Pacific Beat.
Hawaiian Airlines said its policy prohibits visible tattoos for customer-facing employees. “These standards are in place to remain respectful to those with cultural sensitivities to tattoos,” the airline said.
Sialega-Fili argued the policy unfairly targets Polynesians, whose tattoos often hold deep cultural significance. “If they can use our markings for aircraft designs, why can’t we wear them ourselves?” she said.
Her dismissal has reignited debates over cultural representation and workplace inclusion in Hawai’i.