Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant dies of coronavirus

HONOLULU — A Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant who participated in a company training program in Honolulu in June where at least 16 employees were infected with the coronavirus has died due to complications from the virus, officials said.

Jeff Kurtzman, 60, died Tuesday after being infected with the virus in early July, Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram said in an email to employees.

Kurtzman joined the airline in 1986 and was known for his “passion for discovering new places, people and cultures; his terrific sense of humor and knack for easy conversation; and his caring heart,” Ingram said.

Those at the training session were exposed to the virus in part because social distancing was nonexistent and masks were optional, according to the state’s Department of Health. Some of the at least 16 employees that were infected went on to expose eight household members.

The Hawaii Department of Health said an infected person from the training program is also responsible for 20 additional cases at two Hawaii recreational gyms.

The company said it resumed training last week with stricter rules mandating the use of face masks and constant social distancing.

“All of our instructors have been tested, and the approximately 60 employees who have been through recent training were asked to self-quarantine and monitor their health,” the company said.