Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania and Hawaiian Airlines brought the spirit of aloha to Sydney last Friday (23 May), hosting a special screening of Lilo & Stitch that welcomed travel agents, trade media and their families for a night filled with nostalgia, connection and cinematic charm.
Despite the wet weather, the travel trade turned out in force to celebrate the live-action remake of the Disney classic — a film deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and themes of ‘ohana (family). The event was also a platform for sharing the latest updates from Hawai‘i’s tourism sector and strengthening ties with the Australian market.
Travel updates and Hawaiian hospitality
Ahead of the screening, guests heard from Alba Aradillos (Hawaiian Airlines), Maria Alaveras (Outrigger Hospitality Group), and Anna Riedel (Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania), who shared insights into new developments across air travel and accommodation in the Hawaiian Islands. Highlights included references to filming locations featured in the movie and ongoing collaboration between Australian agents and Hawai‘i’s tourism partners.
The evening’s main attraction wasn’t just on the big screen — one lucky attendee walked away with an unforgettable Hawaiian holiday package:
- Return airfares for two from Sydney to Honolulu with Hawaiian Airlines
- Three nights at the Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel
- Two tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s Auana
Congratulations to prize winner Matthew Nixon from Flight Centre Darlinghurst.
A night of connection and celebration
The event offered a chance to thank the travel trade for their ongoing support while enjoying the feel-good story of Stitch and his island ‘ohana. Hawaiian Airlines also marked the film’s release with its own special touches, including newly revealed aircraft liveries featuring Stitch. The first — an Airbus A330 adorned with Stitch in Pualani pose — has already taken to the skies, with two more aircraft designs on the way.
