Watch: Hawaii meets Kiwiana

Hawaiian Airlines has celebrated its third anniversary of flying to New Zealand, saying it's now moved more than 180,000 passengers on nearly 1000 direct flights between Auckland and Honolulu.

It says its entry to the market - tackling Air New Zealand on the route, has led to a cut in fares and a surge in capacity.

Hawaiian Airlines flies three-times weekly direct services from Auckland to Honolulu. It also flies to 11 mainland US destinations, including Las Vegas and New York.

Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines said he was "extremely proud" of the impact his company has had on the market and pleased with the double-digit growth in visitors from New Zealand.

Close to 64,000 Kiwis visited Hawaii last year, more than double the number of those who made the trip in 2013.

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"We've played a significant role increasing competition and lowering fares, making Hawaii and the United States more accessible for Kiwis and making New Zealand more accessible to Americans. We are looking forward to the years ahead," he said.

On the Auckland route the airline uses Airbus A330s which have 294 seats although this year is remodelling cabins to add lie-flat premium seats and more of the popular "Extra Comfort" seats, so reducing total capacity to 278.

Competition on the route is set to remain strong with Air New Zealand replacing its older Boeing 767s with 787 Dreamliners later this year.