Name: Blaine Miyasato
Age: 34
Position: Senior director, inflight services, Hawaiian Airlines
First job: Selling storm windows, Ore.
Favorite pastimes: Gym workout, reading

Sensing in-flight opportunities

Blaine Miyasato started as a flight attendant at Hawaiian Airlines in 1985 and now has responsibility for the airlines' in-flight services.

His goal is to heighten the in-flight experience visually, and to appeal to other senses such as smell, taste and touch.

"I have a real sensory approach to this," Miyasato said.

One example is the airlines' program to use "yet-to-be-discovered artists" in postcards, menus and entertainment guides.

In his 13-year career at Hawaiian Airlines, Miyasato has worked as manager of product development, senior manager of product development and most recently as senior director of process and product improvement.

Miyasato was born in Wahiawa, grew up in Pearl City, and at 16 years old moved with his parents to Oregon. He now resides in Ewa Beach.

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By Jerry Tune, Star-Bulletin