By Andrew Pereira
Story Created: Mar 30, 2009 at 7:29 PM HDT
Story Updated: Mar 30, 2009 at 7:29 PM HDT
STORY SUMMARY>>
It’s been said that time heals all wounds, but for former Aloha Airlines flight attendant Jeri Velasco, the mere mention of the inter-island carrier’s demise brings back a flood of emotions.
"If there was some chance, which is kind of dreaming, and Aloha was to open tomorrow - I would go,” said Velasco, her voice cracking with emotion.
Such is life after the downfall of a company that many of its 1,900 former workers thought would be here forever.
Velasco, 50, began flying with Aloha at the age if eighteen. Three months after losing her job as a flight attendant, Velasco was hired as a spa experience consultant at Moana Lani spa in Waikiki.
“It's almost like your working the first class cabin on the ground, Velasco said of her career change. “I think the customer service skills that I was taught at Aloha were able to carryover here.”
While roughly eighty percent of Aloha’s former workforce has found new employment, about four hundred are still collecting unemployment insurance benefits, according to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
After Aloha ceased operations last year on March 31, some workers were lucky enough to be hired by Hawaiian Airlines, which expanded service to meet demand.
Others like Roxanne Onuma were hired by upstart airline Mokulele. After going back to school for six months to sharpen her computer skills, Onuma was hired as Mokulele’s reservations manager where she also serves as personal assistant to company founder Bill Boyer.
“We thought Aloha Airlines would be here in Hawaii forever,” said Onuma. “It was like a forever job for us. I just thank God for this opportunity to come here to Mokulele Airlines.”
Although many Aloha workers have found new jobs, many are still coping with a drastic cut in pay.
Velasco estimates she and her husband Kevin, who was also employed at Aloha, are making about a quarter of what they used to earn. Kevin found a job with a small sign making business in Kalihi eight months after losing his job at the airline.
Through it all, the Velasco’s are still thankful for the support they’ve received from members of a caring community.
“From my children's school at Punahou to just family friends and even passengers, (all) have been incredible and very supportive,” said Jeri.
Like Velasco, Onuma’s husband Roger also worked for Aloha. He’s currently back in school studying automotive repair. Roxanne told Khon2 she still thinks about the hundreds of former Aloha employees who have yet to find employment.
"My heart and my prayers, they go out for these people and hopefully they will find their place in this work industry. But it's not easy, it truly is not easy.”
