CHARITY EVENT
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Airline memorabilia offered at the sale to benefit St. Francis Hospice includes a selection of Pan Am bags, travel books and junior wings.
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Pan Am is their bag
The iconic luggage-turned-book satchels will be among the memorabilia for sale by the former airline's employees
Mae Takahashi flew aboard Pan American World Airways as a stewardess -- not a flight attendant -- but so much has changed beyond a simple name.
'Not Your Ordinary Garage Sale'
» When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
» Place: Noelani Elementary School
» Call: 396-9972
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"Flying was glamorous, absolutely elegant," Takahashi says.
No paper cups or prepackaged snack packs. "We served carved prime rib and leg of lamb. We had caviar and served everything on china and crystal."
The flights took Takahashi on 21-day trips around the world, greeting passengers while wearing formal gloves and high-heeled shoes. Stops included Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Calcutta, Delhi, Beirut, Istanbul, Frankfurt, London and New York.
Times have definitely changed in the 39 years since Takahashi last flew on those 707 passenger planes, and Pan Am might be gone -- but those times are not forgotten.
Takahashi is president of World Wings International (Hawaii Chapter), an organization that unites former Pan Am flight attendants to promote philanthropic, civic and cultural activities. "We do this to keep the legacy alive," she explained.
The group's "Not Your Ordinary Garage Sale" on Sunday is among its charitable activities. Proceeds will benefit St. Francis Hospice, and will go toward renovating hospice facilities in Nuuanu and Ewa Beach. World Wings International has raised nearly $37,000 since 1990 for St. Francis.
Airline memorabilia -- paperweights, travel books, menus and junior wings -- will be among the garage-sale finds. Pan Am bags sporting the familiar globe logo will also be on sale. "Some of the nicer bags are really expensive ($40 to $50 range) because they are hard to get," Takahashi said. "It's hard to get people to donate these things. They keep it for themselves."
One of Takahashi's favorites is a paperweight engraved with "Gone but not forgotten 1927-1991."
But airline memorabilia fills just one out of 40 to 50 tables, she said. Bargain hunters also will find clothing, accessories, household items, jewelry, books, CDs, children's items and more. Most items will be priced under $5.
"As former flight attendants of Pan Am, our members enjoy picking up unusual finds during their travels, from clothing to jewelry to souvenirs," said Nobi Stienecker, fundraising chairwoman for World Wings' Hawaii Chapter. "This is definitely not your ordinary garage sale because there are a lot of items that are not normally available in Hawaii."