The face behind the Hawaiian Airlines Pualani “flower of the sky” logo, Leina’ala Ann Teruya Drummond, has passed away after battling cancer. She was 77 years young.
A wife, mother and grandmother, she was an accomplished entertainer and businesswoman. She was Miss Hawaii 1964, and placed in the top ten of the Miss America Pageant in 1965. The Aloha State native was born on Maui, and finished Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant training when she was 18 years old.
She also worked at one point on the company’s sales team, and even did some modeling for the company’s promotional shoots.
Not just a logo
Her profile is the logo on the tail of all Hawaiian Airlines planes. They fly in and out of nearly 30 cities around the world. Over 60 planes make up their current active fleet.
On their website, Hawaiian Airlines says her face / logo is “a promise to our guests that we offer something no other airline can. The warmth, care and generosity that are hallmarks of our Hawaiian culture.”
Employees have said the logo is “not just a picture of a woman with a flower. It’s the way the way Pulani sits on the plane… overlooks and watches over us.” The video above goes into more about their feelings.
Loved by many
“Hawaii lost a talented, poised and gracious woman who touched the hearts of many across the globe,” says the Miss Hawaii organization. “Her iconic smile, elegance and grace will always be remembered.”
Hawaiian Airlines started using her face / profile as their logo in 1973, with a few variations made since.
“She’s really been more than anyone I’ve ever known. Just the embodiment of aloha and always open arms,” said her son Kawika Drummond in comments to Hawaiian News Now. “Always an open heart for everybody.”
Much more than a beautiful face and an iconic logo, Drummond was also co-owner of Ian’s Restaurant and Deli in Pukalani with her late husband. She was a god-fearing woman who also served previously as a Maui County councilmember and ordained pastor.
The airline has not yet made any public comments about her passing. Her family intends to hold a celebration of life service for her on Maui in October.
