EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                    ------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               Contact:    Keoni Wagner
May 17, 2002                                    (808) 838-6778
                                                wagner@HawaiianAir.com



                   HAWAIIAN AIRLINES CEO PAUL J. CASEY RESIGNS


                  HONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA) Vice
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Paul J. Casey today announced
that he will be leaving the company next month. His last day at Hawaiian will be
June 30, 2002. Chairman John W. Adams will assume the additional
responsibilities of CEO and President until a successor is named.

                  Casey joined Hawaiian as President and CEO in 1997 having
previously led the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau for two years following
an eight-year career with Continental Airlines. He was named to the additional
role of Vice Chairman at Hawaiian in January 2001.

                  Under Casey's marketing and sales-oriented leadership,
Hawaiian Airlines increased annual revenues by nearly 60 percent through
operational growth and innovative marketing. During his tenure, the company has:

o        Completely replaced its narrow-body interisland jet fleet with brand
         new Boeing 717 jet aircraft;

o        Begun a fleet renewal program that will completely replace its
         wide-body transpacific long-haul fleet with state-of-the-art Boeing 767
         long-range aircraft by mid-2003;

o        Inaugurated or announced service on seven new routes and now offers
         nonstop Hawaii service from more mainland cities than any other
         airline;


                                    - more -



Hawaiian Airlines CEO Paul J. Casey Resigns
May 17, 2002
Page 2



o        Improved its cash reserves from $37.2 million in 1996 to $102.9 million
         in 2001;

o        Increased its workforce by 800 people to a total current complement of
         3,200 employees;

o        Invested more than $12 million in its technology and automated systems;

o        Established a new and successful e-business department;

o        Introduced important customer convenience initiatives, including online
         booking and e-ticketing, an interisland First Class product, Drive-Thru
         check-in and the first-ever self-ticketing through a bank's ATMs;

o        Negotiated six new union contracts with competitive compensation
         packages, recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of employees
         while stabilizing labor costs for the next three years.

                  Casey said, "Of all that we've accomplished over the past five
years, the most satisfying to me is that we've changed the culture at Hawaiian
from command-and-control into a more collaborative approach to management in
which every employee has a voice. Hawaiian is stronger today because there's
more teamwork and communication at all levels of the company, and that's
gratifying.

                  "I've been in this business for thirty years and the last five
at Hawaiian have been the most satisfying and rewarding. They've also been among
the most demanding and, at 56, I'm ready to take some time off.

                  "I want to thank our management team and board for their
tremendous support, and especially the line employees of Hawaiian, without whom
we couldn't have accomplished all that we did over the past five years," he
said.


                                    - more -



Hawaiian Airlines CEO Paul J. Casey Resigns
May 17, 2002
Page 3



                  Adams said, "Paul has been an agent of very positive change at
Hawaiian over the past five years. He has accomplished all of the goals the
board set forth when he joined the company and his leadership has transformed
Hawaiian on a number of levels into the modern, well-positioned competitor that
it is today. I know I speak for the employees of Hawaiian, as well as the board,
when I say that he will be missed. We are grateful for Paul's important
contributions to our company and we wish him continued success."

                  Founded in Honolulu 72 years ago, Hawaiian Airlines is
Hawaii's longest-serving and largest airline. The nation's 12th largest airline,
it is also the second-largest provider of passenger service between the West
Coast and Hawaii.

                  Hawaiian Airlines takes great pride in its innovative onboard
service programs that highlight and promote the people and culture of Hawaii.
The airline has earned numerous international awards for service in recent
years, including the 2001 Zagat Survey's award for Best Overall U.S. Airline in
the Premier category, and the 2001 Diamond Award for In-Flight Service from
Onboard Services magazine. Hawaiian was also rated third highest in Travel &
Leisure magazine's most recent ranking of the Top 10 U.S. Airlines.

                  Additional information on Hawaiian Airlines, including
previously issued company news releases, is available on the airline's Web site
at www.hawaiianair.com.





                                     - 30 -