Yesterday, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) along with federal, state and county leaders welcomed the resumption of travel from Japan to Hawai‘i Island with the return of Japan Airlines’ (JAL) nonstop service between Tokyo (Narita) and Kona.  JAL flight 770 will operate three times a week.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, who led a Hawaiʻi Island delegation that visited sister cities in Japan, arrived on the flight.  Other passengers were greeted by hula performances and music by Harold Kama, Jr.  Miss Kona Coffee Kyndra Nakamoto, and members of the Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB) team greeted passengers with leis.

During a special event held at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, HTA President and CEO John De Fries along with Governor Ige and First Lady Dawn Ige, State Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Jade Butay, DOT-Airports Division Director Ross Higashi, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director George Minamishin, and Japan Airlines Regional Manager for Hawai‘i Hiroshi Kuroda expressed their appreciation for what Japan Airlines’ service means to Hawai‘i Island and the state.

“Hawaiʻi’s history with Japan is long and unique. The strong ties between Japan and Hawaiʻi go back many generations, so the return of travel between our two nations is much like welcoming family home after a long absence,” said De Fries in a statement.  De Fries continued, “Japan Airlines flight 770 from Narita International Airport to the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport symbolizes the re-opening of a sky bridge that will unify us and strengthen our cross-cultural bond, while fortifying our efforts to enhance trade and commerce between our two nations.”

During the first six months of 2022, visitors from Japan spent $86.7 million in Hawai‘i generating $10 million in state tax revenue. In June 2022, four airline carriers operated routes between Japan and Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and ZIPAIR.

For information including routes and schedules visit the Japan Airlines’website.