(BIVN) – Just a few days after Southwest Airlines’ inaugural passenger flight to Honolulu, company executives were on the Big Island to talk about their plans for the Hawaiʻi market.

Ross Birch, the executive director of the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau, welcomed the Southwest team to the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, where the company officers shared the history of the Dallas-based airline and their vision for the planned service to and from the islands.

Southwest Airlines’ first passenger flight to Hawaiʻi touched down with fanfare at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Sunday, March 17. Governor David Ige, Southwest Airlines executives and other distinguished guests participated in the ceremony. The Hawaii Department of Transportation improved the Diamond Head Concourse in Terminal 2 to create four new gates and passenger areas to accommodate the new service.

Southwest will begin interisland service between Honolulu and Kona on May 12. The flight will make it possible to connect Kona’s Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keahole (KOA) with Oakland and San Jose.

NOTE: We have posted part one of a two part video series. Part two features a question and answer session with those in attendance.