Well we just arrived at our condo in Princeville after taking the inaugural flight from Seattle to Lihue. It was GREAT!! The pre-departure festivities at C9 was wonderful. The traditional blessing, hula dancing and lei ribbon cutting. Shell leis were given as we boarded and everyone was in a celebratory mood. Each seat had an Alaska Airlines beach bag with the date of the inaugural flight. Inside was a book guide to Kauai, beach mat, postcards, suntan lotion packets, beach sandel luggage tag and a mug from Hilo Hatties. I thought very cool!

Flight departed from the gate right on schedule with I thought was a full load including some employee nonrevs. Gotta love those full fuel tank takeoff rolls...they go on forever...but we took off in calm weather and heading somewhat south towards Coos Bay before we made our way west to Kauai.

DigE players were quickly passed out in first and you can tell that they ran out in coach and advised everyone in the future to reserve your digE player online. Unfortunately, I was not too impressed with the selection, hoping it changes when be fly back in early November. Luckily I always have my laptop and some DVDs, so switch over to that after watching Oceans 13

Announcements were made shortly after takeoff that the flight attendants were going to getting ready to serve the hospitality drink...free Mai Tai for the masses. Got to tell you that they were sweet...good, but sweet. I switched to the hawaiian beer, which was very refreshing for dinner.

Menus were passed out and I'm sure this was pretty similiar to the HNL service.

Appetizer Salad: Crab Cakes with Ginger Aioli & Wedges of Butter Lettuce
Warm Hawaiian Sweet Roll (Huge I may add)

Entrees:

Macadamia Nut Panko Crusted Mahi Mahi with Lemon Beurre Blanc
Jasmine Rice/Fresh Roasted Vegetables
or
Island Style Mango Chicken with Portuguese Fried Rice
Fresh Roasted Vegetables

Ice Cream Sundae made seat side was a nice finishing touch.

Our A flight attendant was a bit ditsy, but VERY SWEET. I think there was a inflight sup in first class, because she talked to all the employees and was up in the galley looking at this and that. I think she made the FA a bit nervous. I have to admit for a 6 hour flight, they work they a-- off.

Service was a bit lacking for the last 2 1/2 hours of the flight. I do like to have someone come around and ask if there is anything else you would like. They did come around with hot towel service and that's when I ask for a class of red wine. That brings up one point, they had only one bottle of Merlot loaded. Our friends were drinking that and since I was still on beer, I didn't get to try it. Apparently according to them, it was very good. Even the FA said she would mention in a report that more merlot should have been catered.

They passed out certificates to indicate that you were on the inaugural flight to Lihue along with a discount cert for an AS teeshirt at Hilo Hatties.

Well we were getting close to the island and the digE players were being collected and in the back of my mind (jokingly) I'm saying well this is the inauguaral flight, I hope they find the island!!!! Of course they did and a slight Hawaiian breeze we landed at Lihue. The entire cabin applauded as we were slowing down. Of forgot to mention that the applause also happened as the plane left the ground in Seattle.

We were greeted at the gate with yet another lei, but this one was a fresh flower and a bag of goodies for with kauai luggage tags and info. It was a GREAT trip...I'm so glad I was a part of history for this airline. Well it only 11am Kauai time, but 2:00am Seattle...time to get some sleep and enjoy the rest of the week in Kauai. I think that was the only negative, was to arrive at night...you can't see any of this islands magnificient cliffs. Oh well...its NONSTOP from Seattle...I'll take that any day over connections.

ALOHA and Mahalo from Princeville, Kauai...good night!!!!!