Working as an Aloha Greeter at the Honolulu International Airport 1985-1988

Table of Contents

1. How it began. 2. Aloha Lei Greeters

3. Meeting Celebrates
4. The Humor of it All 5. Airline Codes 6. A Melting Pot

1. How it began It began with me hanging around at age 13-14 at the airport. I walked it all. My favorite places were UALs terminal, and gates, as well as AA, Western, Continental. Back then UAL had a nice hub in HNL. I was privileged to get tours on various airlines, and aircrafts. Yes this was way before 911, where

hanging out at the airport now is a no no. I got to tour the 747, DC10,
Boeing 707, and even Deltas Lockheed-11. I was so amazed. I loved and still do flying, and planes have from my first flight have fascinated me. It is so amazing how we as human beings can fly. My moms boyfriend was a Tour Escort, back then for Tradewind Tours. He was very good friends with one of the hiring managers for ALG Aloha Lei Greeters, owned by Chuck Muchado . Not sure if I am spelling His last name correctly. It was years ago. The first time I went I was declined. I was not ready. The second time I met with her, I was hired on spot. I was instantly assigned after filling paper work out, to work for several days with a few of the other young ladies at time. Most of us were teens and twenties. I think few were thirty something. Now I worked with this company for over two years, more for love. Never knew when pay would come. We were of several nationalities. Most were Hawaiian and Samoan blooded. We worked well together. We sometimes worked by ourselves,

and for large groups sometimes four of us. At times we even went up for a
departing flight to lei someone, or a couple. It was work, but very much fun. We greeted football players, some greeted celebrities. If we did well occasionally we would get tips. Some of those tips were very generous.

2. Aloha Lei Greeters ALG was a branch of operation from the Luaus We also represented Tradewind Tours, often brought groups to the Escorts. Our responsibility consisted of greeting groups, couples, and individuals at the gate upon their arrival We would have a slip of paper with the airline code, such as UAL Flt 1 from ORD- Chicago Time and Gate. We greeted with a lei, warm smile and kiss on cheek. Escorting our guests down to baggage claim, assisted with baggage to transportation, or a connection to the outer Islands. Our Groups could be 10-110. We would gather all around, use a mic to give a short briefing. Most often we were very professional in our conduct. I have some humor to share on that too.

As I write this, just found out the owner Chuck Machado died at 62, May 2002. His ashes were scattered over Waikiki Beach. Chucks focus was on the Luaus, and he was known as a gambling man and loved parties. Yes we worked for Aloha- aka love. We were paid when it was good for him. Last year of working for his company we, most of us were paid twice if that in cash. Nor was it for all hours, nor wast it even a full two week pay. Many see Chuck

in a wonderful light. He was a very nice man, his work ethics,

something to be desired. An old article I found They called him the Luau King, and Chuck Machado earned the title, serving millions of Hawaiian feasts to visitors in Waikiki and

introducing dozens of Hawaiian stars to the world of entertainment. Chuck Machado catered to Waikiki tourists. Advertiser library photo Charles Chuck Machado Jr., who was born Aug. 1, 1939, in Kailua, Kona, died here Saturday morning at Straub Clinic & Hospital of heart problems. He was 62. If tourists didnt encounter Machados brand of aloha at the luau they were likely to have been met by Machado and his minions at the airport, where Machado got his start as a lei greeter and later opened his own Aloha Lei Greeters company. In later years, Machado sponsored popular and profitable jackpot fishing and golf tournaments on the Big Island. By 1977, the United States Small Business Administration had named the 36-year-old Machado Hawaiis businessman of the year. He was the first person of Hawaiian ancestry so honored, and Hawaiian cultural scholar George S. Kanahele said at the time the award would put to rest the stereotype of Hawaiians as nonbusiness people. At the time, Machado was grossing $2 million a year, employing 142 people, staging five to 10 luau a week and running four other visitor-oriented businesses. In 1988, Gov. John Waihee saluted him on his 25th business anniversary as a leading Hawaiian entrepreneur who built an

empire on hard work, zeal and vigor while participating in business associations and groups as well. Machado attended Konawaena and then Kamehameha Schools, and was a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa when he got into the lei trade. Chuck Machados Luaus began as a moonlighting operation at the Chinese American Club in the Ala Wai Clubhouse in 1963, moved to Fort DeRussy to cater to the military rest-and-recreation crowd, then settled in for two decades on the beach at Waikiki in front of the Outrigger Hotel. Between 500 and 700 visitors three times a week tucked into the kalua pig, the chicken long rice and the lomi salmon, and of course, always poi. Machado eliminated opihi from the menu reluctantly, and not until the late 1980s. It wasnt the $200-a-bucket cost, he said, but the scarcity. It gave me too much stress worrying about whether it would show up or not, he said. He tried to keep the luau Hawaiian, said Mamo Howard

Ornellas, former vice president for 17 years with Chuck Machado

Luaus and his corporations. Most of our luaus, you know, have no kalua pig, no nothing. Its just a buffet called a luau so the tourists could eat, Ornellas said.

But he tried to keep it as authentic as possible. He would include maybe a piece of teriyaki, so (luau-goers) ... would have something to eat if they didnt want to try anything else. But he was known for being authentic. When Machado put on a luau at Washington Place in 1975, his staff worked around the clock to make sure the fish was fresh, and picked through 400 coconuts to find 200 with tender spoon meat. He was the first commercial luau person in the state, Ornellas said. He was just a brilliant man. He paved the way for the luau industry and entertainment. He paved the way for a lot of entertainers. He was too helpful and generous. He took care of everyone. Those who worked early in their careers for Machado included Nohelani Cypriano, Jack and Cha Thompson of Tihati, Kimo Kahoano, Noe Noe Zuttermeister, Leinaala Simerson, Kawika Trask, Squires of the House of I, Brickwood Galuteria, Al Harrington, Cathy Foy and Doug Mossman. It was during one of Machados own rare appearances on stage that Mossman got the better of him when Machado kidded the

audience by asking them to give Mossman a standing ovation,

because he had never got one. The applause hadnt died down when Mossman turned to his boss and said, Well, Ive never had a pay raise either, so how about a raise? How could he turn me down? Mossman grinned later. And it was a juicy raise.

Machado is survived by sons Charles III of Kahului and Myles of California; daughter Monica; brothers Lionel and Barry; sisters Carolyn and Brenda Lee of Kona; and a granddaughter,

3. Meeting Celebrities We often were not the ones, but some of us got the opportunity. I met a few more by chance of them coming of the arriving flight. Mr T, he was wonderful, and a very nice man. I have met the Full House Father, Growing Pains, dad, and two vice presidents in Hawaii. It is a privilege, yet you find they truly are human. They truly need their space, and own time. I wish the public would understand this. Many really do not wish to be treated as if they were gods. I am unsure of the author of this, but here are some dos, and donts when meeting celebrities Do: Be polite. It may seem obvious, but its amazing how many people, well, arent Dont: Expect a chance to visit, or ask that Deep and Meaningful Question That You Have Always Wanted To Ask. The more popular the celebrity, the more serious this gets. There are loads of people behind you waiting for their moment, just like there were loads of people in front of you. If a celebrity spent a minute with each person, or worse, 5 minutes, imagine how long each person would need to wait. It just isnt feasible. If you try, expect an ominous-looking, black-clad Crowd Management Dude to step in, say, firmly, thank you for coming, and then escort you out. Do: Have your stuff ready to be signed. It saves everyone time.

Dont: Try to think of something witty, or off-the-wall, or otherwise individual to make the celebrity remember you. They wont, and youll just come across looking like an idiot. For example, Asking William Shatner, so whats your favourite Star Wars movie? isnt funny; its stupid. You know it, he knows it, and hes heard it at least fifty thousand times before. Do: Respect the celebritys handshake policy. Shaking hands can transmit

germs and viruses, which some celebrities try to avoid, and also, given most
are right-handed, constant handshakes can exacerbate cramping which can develop after hours of signing things. Many will prefer a fist-bump. Dont: Ask the celebrity to hold something, or do a ridiculous hand-gesture at the photo op. Some teenager asked Mr. Shatner if he would give a hand gesture, Sure, hows this? asked Mr. Shatner, raising his middle finger. I dont blame him one bit.

Do: Say thank you.

Dont: Present the celebrity with a printout of a family tree showing how youre their distant relative. They dont care. No, really: they dont. Do: Relax. Play it cool. A celebrity is a human being after all. Be respectful, but remember theyre not God. Treat them like a human. Dont: Go FanBoy. This is related to the item directly above. Its easy to do, as it can be exciting to meet and talk to them, but babbling on about how excited you are and how wonderful they are and how you named your cat after them and how your sister met them at convention Xyz and how ugh. Do: Remember that the actor is not the character they play, and has emotions, moods, and may be tired after a long flight.

Dont: Address the actor by the name of the character or characters hes played. Additionally, dont ask the actor to sign as one of their characters. Mr. Shatners name is William Shatner, not James T. Kirk, T.J. Hooker, Denny Crane, or Buck Murdoch. Do: Compliment the celebrity for the quality of her work appropriately. When I met Mira Furlan, I told her I was a huge Babylon 5 fan and I am however I didnt go on and on about how wonderful she was as Delenn.

Shes a good actress, and the quality of the character she played proves it.
Dont: expect personalization. If its offered and you want it, then by all means, accept it, but unless its offered, leave it alone. Usually, this is due to time constraints, so the busier the place is, the less likely it is to be offered. Do: Remember your basic social skills. If youre Sheldon, this is going to be more difficult for you; but for most of us, geeks and non-geeks alike, this should be a no-brainer. Brush your teeth, take a shower, dont interrupt

people.
There you go! Follow these simple guidelines, and your meeting with a celebrity experience will go smoothly. If I come up with any others, Ill add them as I remember them.

4. The Humor of it All. If you work in, or wish to work in any customer service field, you must love people, and be very flexible, as well as have a good sense of humor. If not get out, or do apply to work with the public. People are funny, interesting. We worked, and met people from all over the world. Hawaii is the melting pot where if you want to me people from other places and cultures you will.

People ask sometimes just the funniest things. Some of the questions I know I was asked Do you live in grass shack like Gilligans Island? Do you have concrete here? Do you wear hula skirts all the time? Are you Hawaiian? ( They can see I am so very white) Hawaiians are tan, and those with Hawaiian blood will be darker skinned even if they are white blooded too. Why are you so white, and you live in Hawaii? We had access to the mics at the airport, and at gates. I recall a gag some did on me. They said they needed someone paged if I could page the person. The name was Mike Hunt. They said make sure you page , say his name fast. I said ok I did three times. Now you say Mike Hunt three times

fast and loud. LOL

A song we used to sing, some of us locals back the day I am a lil coconut sleepin in a coco rut Everybody stomps on me That is why I am cracked you see I am a nut I am a nut I am crazy Yes hand signs with it. LOL

Some of our local, Hawaiian words ( Some are Funny) (PuPu) Snack- or Appertizer. Yes it means snack Slippas- Slippers

Wiki Wiki Hurry Hurry Ae- Yes Aka Aka Laugh Honi- Kiss Lolo crazy Hawaiian Days, and Months.. Sunday - Lapule (lay-poo-lay ) Monday - Poakahi (poh ah-kah-hee) Tuesday - Poalua (poh ah-loo-ah) Wednesday - Poakolu (poh ah-ko-loo) Thursday - Poaha (poh ah-ha) Friday - Poalima (poh ah-lee-mah) Saturday - Po aono (poh ah-o-no) January - Iaunuali (ee-ya-oo new-ahlee) February - Pepeluali (pay-pay loo-ahlee ) March - Malaki (ma-la-key) April - Apelila (ah-pe-lee-la) May - Mei (may-ee) June - Iune (ee-oo-ney) July - Iulai (ee-oo-la-ee) August - Aukake (ah-oo-ka-key)

September - Kepakemapa (key-pa-key-ma-pa)

October - 'Okakopa (oh-ka-ko-pa) November - Nowemapa (No-vay-ma-pa) December - Kekemapa (key-key-ma-pa)

5. Airline Codes

U.S. AIRLINES CODES AIRLINE NAME Alaska Airlines Aloha Air America West Airlines American Airlines Air One Continental Airlines Delta Air Lines Hawaiian Airlines CODE AS AQ HP AA AP CO DL HA AIRLINE NAME Midwest Express Northwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Tower Air Trans World Airlines United Airlines US Airways AirTran CODE YX NW WN FF TW UA US FL

5. A Melting Pot

Author Capt Jack

The 50th state of The Unites States of America is truly unique, in almost anything. In atmospheres, in sceneries, in flavors and even in smells. The reason behind this is the many cultures that found a home on the islands. Each bringing its own specific traditions. While the melting pot is often used as a metaphor for the US as a country, it especially serves to describe Hawaii. Hawaii is the home of cultural groups from all over the world. Of all US states, none have more interracial marriages than Hawaii. Almost half of the people in Hawaii married someone of a different ethnicity. The result of this is a greater sense of tolerance and understanding for people with a

different background. The people of Hawaii live and work together, no matter where they come from. Its result is a greater sense of harmony. No doubt, this is one of the reasons Hawaii is such a great place to live, and a wonderful place to visit. When you first set foot on Hawaii, there are two things you can not escape from. First of all there are the beautiful girls. And guess what! They insist you accept the traditional Hawaiian welcome: the lei around your neck. Second is a series of impressions: the flawless climate, the scenic beaches, the dramatic surf, the wonderful food. Then you know, instinctively, why Hawaii is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit from all over the world. Golf, surf, beaches and history It doesnt matter if you are a golf player or a surfer. If you are looking for the high priced fancy kitchen or the secrets of traditional Hawaii dishes. It even doesnt matter if you visit the islands for the sun and the beaches and ignore the amazing history and archeology of the islands. Its all there and youll feel welcome right away. The Prince Resorts for example has a tantalizing package for the golfer: the Unlimited Golfing Package. You can choose among 5 scenic golf courses with breathtaking views, scattered across three islands. Your package includes unlimited green fees and some bonuses like a well-stocked breakfast buffet. More of a surfer than a golfer? You might want to try one of the Ohana Hotels, which attach surfing packages to their luxurious five-night stay packages. Surfing in luxury what else can you hope for? Be aware; Hawaii is addictive You like food? One of the most popular restaurants is Tikis Grill and Bar. Designed to resemble a Hawaiian tiki bar from the 1950s or 1960s. This scenic restaurant gives you a wonderful view of the shore to go with delicious food. There are many internet sites that can direct you to other restaurants on the islands. Looking for a luau, or a private dinner for two? Browse the web and you will almost definitely find a restaurant near your hotel. Many of those who come to visit Hawaii for the first time are intrigued in the The Bishop Museum houses over two million artifacts from indigenous Hawaiian culture. One of the Bishop Museums locations is at the Hilton Hawaii Village Beach Resort. If you decide to stay there, you will have access to the storied past of the kingdom of Hawaii in the centuries before colonization and statehood, going all the way back to

400 AD. Some of these artifacts are weapons, boards used by some of the earliest surfers, shark teeth, and the dramatic feather lei capes that the royalty of Hawaii used to wear. This is the place to go to see Hawaiis unique past. There is so much more! If you have ever been to Hawaii, you know the biggest disadvantage of getting to know Hawaii. Well, actually, there two. First of all its addictive. You always want more and you always want to come back. But the biggest disadvantage you have to face soon or later, is departure. Who wants to leave Hawaii!