News briefs for June 26: New leadership, Japan expansion, Title IX, free Wi-Fi and more

Blue Hawaiian appoints new executive leadership team

Jeff Helfrick joins Blue Hawaiian as president and chief executive officer, picked to lead a new senior executive team at Hawaiʻi’s largest helicopter tour operator and concierge service provider.

Helfrick has lived and worked in the islands for the past decade and joined the company in March. He brings 30 years of experience in the airline and hospitality industries to the company. Under his leadership and new perspective, Blue Hawaiian will integrate the tour helicopter operation and concierge/activity desk businesses to better serve guests throughout the state.

Myra Galinato was also appointed as commercial vice president. Kyu Yi was appointed as operations vice president, and Alex Li joins Blue Hawaiian as finance vice president. Each of the new leadership members has the experience and talent to grow the business and maintain Blue Hawaiian’s position as market leader in Hawaiʻi.

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Big Island-based Waiakea water expands to Japan

Hilo-based water company Waiakea is expanding across the Pacific, beginning distribution this month at select stores in Japan, according to a report from Pacific Business News.

The Big Island premium water brand will roll out with a market-exclusive bottle design in several locations in Tokyo, Saitama and Yokohama.

The Japan launch is a major milestone for Waiakea, which continues to expand around the globe. It already is stocked by major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart as well as being available at more than 50,000 retail locations in North America and parts of Mexico and Australia.

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Case opposes defense funding measure

U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a Hawai’i Democrat who represents Congressional District 1 in Washington, voted against the final version of the fiscal year 2027 Defense Appropriations Act passed by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, on which he has served for 8 years, that proposes $1.1 trillion in discretionary spending.

“While the measure funds many critical Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific priorities I requested, I regrettably had to vote against this version because the proposed increase in total defense spending is not accompanied by any substantial congressional oversight of such massive new spending levels, and comes as the congressional majority and President [Donald] Trump propose steep cuts to domestic programs that support working people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis,” said Case in a release.

He added the bill also embraces a partisan approach to various aspects of the nation’s security.

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Hirono co-introduces bicameral resolution to commemorate 54th anniversary of Title IX

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawai’i Democrat, joined colleagues and fellow Democrats U.S. Sens. Patty Murray of Washington state, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin as well as U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, to introduced a bicameral resolution commemorating the 54th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, which was signed into law in 1972 and outlaws sex-based discrimination in federally-funded education programs and expands educational opportunities for women and girls.

This resolution reaffirms the importance of Title IX, recognizes that more work remains to fulfill the promises of the law and condemns those who tried to use Title IX to harm students.

“More than 50 years ago, Title IX was signed into law, advancing equity and creating countless opportunities for women to thrive in the classroom, on the field and in their workplace. But instead promoting diversity in education, congressional Republicans and the [President Donald] Trump regime are twisting Title IX to tear minorities down,” said Hirono in a release. “This resolution celebrates the true legacy of Title IX. I remain committed to standing up for students and helping them reach their fullest potentials.”

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Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau creates first chief brand and narrative officer position

Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau created its first chief brand and narrative officer position and appointed Travis Watanabe to lead the organization’s brand, reputation and destination engagement strategy, beginning July 1.

The newly created role is designed to ensure Hawaiʻi remains among the world’s most compelling, differentiated and respected destinations. It also reflects the bureau’s broader strategy to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s visitor economy through strategic brand leadership, destination education, innovation and long-term value creation.

Watanabe will oversee brand and marketing strategy, destination story, creative direction, audience engagement and reputation management throughout domestic and international markets. He will work closely with Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau’s island leadership, industry partners, cultural practitioners and community stakeholders to strengthen how Hawaiʻi is understood and experienced throughout key markets.

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Atmos Rewards members now can unlock free inflight Wi-Fi

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced about 150 aircraft are now equipped with free inflight Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members, putting the airlines ahead of schedule in enhancing connectivity and delivering an industry-leading guest experience.

The milestone positions Alaska and Hawaiian among the first to offer “the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky” complimentary of T-Mobile and powered by Starlink. Guests can follow Wi-Fi installation progress with an online tracker.

A new onboard portal was introduced this month, making it easy for Atmos Rewards guests to access the service. The experience will become standard throughout flights by mid-July, with existing Atmos Rewards members connecting automatically through a streamlined interface and new guests able to sign up in just a few steps.