Kona-Tokyo Trip Winner: ‘This Came As a Huge Delight for My Whole Family’

When Gerald Kosaki of Hilo received an early-morning call from KAPA FM Radio Personality Ka‘ea Lyons, announcing that he was the winner of the Kona to Haneda-Tokyo round trip for two, he was at first speechless, but then said, “Oh, man, amazing, amazing! You made my day!”

Gerald Kosaki won round-trip, economy-class tickets for two on Hawaiian Airlines from Kona to Tokyo Haneda and hotel accommodations for two for four days.

The giveaway was sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines and the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau, in partnership with Pacific Media Group.

“Thank you for providing me with this great opportunity to visit Japan,” Kosaki added later. “Our family discussed visiting Japan in the recent past, so this came as a huge delight for my whole family. We can’t wait to eat all of the excellent food there!”

“One thing that I can never say again is, ‘I never win anything,'” said Kosaki, “Mahalo plenty!”

“Hawaiian Airlines is delighted to provide Hawaii island with a nonstop Kona-Haneda flight,” said Craig Shiroma, Hawaiian Airlines sales executive for Hilo and Kona. “It not only brings Japanese visitors to Hawai‘i Island, but it also allows local residents to experience exciting Tokyo, Japan. Our congratulations to Gerald Kosaki from Hilo, the winner of a roundtrip for two to Japan with four night’s accommodation! A special mahalo goes to the Island of Hawai‘i Visitor’s Bureau and the Pacific Radio Group!

“The Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau’s focus is on the in bound traveler and marketing outside the island,” said Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ross Birch. “With that said, the opportunity to partner with Hawaiian Airlines and Pacific Radio Group’s marketing platforms on-island proved to be a successful combination. Congratulations to Gerald Kosaki and mahalo to the thousands of others who participated. We are very pleased with the results and appreciate the ongoing partnership with Hawaiian Airlines.”

Hawaiian Airlines flies nonstop to Haneda (Tokyo International Airport) from Kona three times a week. Hawaiian Airlines celebrated the launch of its nonstop service between Haneda and Kona International Airports in December 2016. It was the first service to bring flights back from Japan to the Big Island since 2010.

Ka‘ea Lyons andJaz Kaiwiko‘o Yglesias host KAPA Radio No. 1-rated morning show.  Listen to the “Home of Hawai‘i’s Music” at 100.3 FM and online.