Page 4 - MidWeek Windward - Sep 21, 2022
P. 4

4 SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
 Kāne‘ohe Mother, Daughter Soar To New Heights As Pilots
 Kāne‘ohe residents Capt. Kamelia Zarka and her daughter, first officer Ma- ria Zarka, have achieved a soaring accomplishment in the field of aviation this month.
deck of a Boeing 717 air- craft as they led a series of neighbor island flights.
true for me. I always knew Maria would be a fantastic pilot — she’s always been brilliant and professional — but sitting next to her as she flew the plane with such skill and ease still blew me away,” Kamelia states.
 They are two Hawaiian Airlines pilots who reached a historic milestone on Sept. 1, when they became the first mother-daughter pilot team in the carrier’s 93- year history. They flew the skies over the Pacific Ocean together, sharing the flight
Hawaiian Airlines exter- nal communications rep- resentative Marissa Ville- gas explains that the pair also personally welcomed guests, took selfies with colleagues and urged young girls passing by them to strive for their dreams.
Villegas notes that Kame- lia joined Hawaiian Airlines as a flight attendant in 1992 and became a pilot in 1999, which led her to be the first Tongan woman to captain a commercial airline.
“Flying for Hawaiian Airlines with my daugh- ter, side-by-side in the cockpit, was a dream come
Meanwhile, Maria — who flew with Republic Airlines in New Jersey for two years — was hired by Hawaiian Airlines in April 2022.
 “Everybody always tells me how amazing it is to fly with my mom and today I got to experience that. She’s an amazing pilot and learn- ing from her is learning from one of the best. Now I call her ‘Capt. Mom’ ,” Maria states.
(Left top and bottom, and above) Kāne‘ohe residents Capt. Kamelia Zarka and her daughter, first officer Maria Zarka, share the flight deck of a Boeing 717 on Sept. 1. PHOTOS COURTESY BRYAN SHIROTA
John’s Upholstery
Helping the People and Businesses of Hawaii restore their favorite furniture for over 30 years
• Furniture Upholstery • Foam
• Custom Cushion Covers • Dining Chairs • Tropical and Designer Fabrics
        Maria also proudly shares that the family has its roots on the Windward side of O‘ahu, as she and her sibling went to the local schools.
         “I attended He‘eia Ele- mentary, King Intermediate, and Kalāheo High School. We have lived in Kāne‘ohe since 2004,” Maria adds.
   ESTIMATES ALWAYS FREE! 808-230-2037
Decades of Experience
All Trades • Quality Work Reasonable Rates Excellent References • Insured
Up to $1500
           Lucas
• GENERAL REPAIRS • CARPENTRY
• DECKS
• DRYWALL
• FLOORING
• PAINTING
• TILE
• YOU NAME IT!
  Mike
   NO PROJECT IS TOO SMALL!
        Visit MrTinkerHi.com for Customer Specials!
     For more information, visit newsroom.hawaii- anairlines.com.
Call, come in or email us for a free estimate today!
236-2218 • 46-138 Kahuhipa St.
Text: 271-2665 or Email: johnsupholstery@hawaii.rr.com
   Time to Upgrade?
• Kitchens, Baths
• Full Service Design & Build • Custom Cabinets
• Custom Woodwork
• Media Centers
For Courteous, Reliable Service
Serving the best clients . . . Since 1979
808-262-5941
LIC #C-25855
@gavinwoodllc www.gavinwood.biz
      CNC Routing, 5x10 Table. 52” Wide planing, sanding
  Mark Gavin
  

















































   2   3   4   5   6