Watch: Flight over Hawaii in vintage Bellanca aircraft

The 88-year-old airplane is the only remaining Bellanca Pacemaker in the world that still flies. Photo / Supplied

Hawaiian Airlines has celebrated its 88th anniversary by burying a time capsule, dedicating the airline's new maintainence and cargo facility to the man who piloted the company's maiden flight and by revamping its vintage Bellanca aircraft.

Charles I. Elliot flew the maiden flight from Honolulu to Hilo on November 11, 1929.

Airline president and chief executive Mark Dunkerley said Hawaiian had evolved from a two plane operator into a carrier with more than 50 aircraft and 30 local, mainland and international destinations served.

Hawaiian also marked the special occasion by enshrining a time capsule - a miniaturised reproduction of a cargo container - beneath the new facility.

​The time capsule, affectionately known as HAL, encases historical documents, photographs, plaques and awards and a complete digital copy of the airline's archives including approximately 100 oral history interviews gathered over the past few years.

The plan is to re-open HAL on November 11th, 2079 - the airline's 150th Anniversary.

The 1929-vintage Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker was Hawaiian Airlines' first airplane and was originally used for Honolulu sightseeing tours to help promote air travel in the Islands at a cost of US$3 per person.

Today, the 88-year-old airplane is the only remaining Bellanca Pacemaker in the world that still flies.

It has just had a makeover and now has a powerful radial engine and new interior.

Dunkerley, an accomplished aerobatics flier, pilots the plane on flights for staff and guests.