EXHIBIT 5.1


August 19, 2005


Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
3375 Koapaka Street, Suite G-350
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         On the date hereof, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), intends to transmit for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), relating to 8,000,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $0.01 par
value per share, of the Company, which are being offered pursuant to the
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). This opinion is
an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

         We have at times acted as special counsel to the Company in connection
with certain corporate and securities matters, and in such capacity we are
familiar with the various corporate and other proceedings relating to the
proposed offer and sale of the Shares as contemplated by the Registration
Statement.

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined and are familiar with
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
(i) the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as presently in effect, (ii) the
Company's By-Laws as presently in effect, (iii) minutes and other instruments
evidencing actions taken by the Company's directors and stockholders, (iv) the
Plan and (v) the form of option and other award agreements which we understand
will be used by the Company in connection with grants under the Plan. In our
examination of all such agreements, documents, certificates and instruments, we
have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
agreements, documents, certificates and instruments submitted to us as originals
and the conformity with the originals of all agreements, documents, certificates
and instruments submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies.
Insofar as this opinion relates to securities to be issued in the future, we
have assumed that all applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect at the
time of such issuance will be the same as such laws, rules and regulations in
effect as of the date hereof.




August 19, 2005
Page 2



         Our opinion herein is based solely upon the Delaware General
Corporation Law, and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws
(including, without limitation, the application of the securities or "blue sky"
laws of any state to the offer and/or sale of the Shares).

         Based on the foregoing, and subject to and in reliance upon the
accuracy and completeness of the information relevant thereto provided to us, it
is our opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, subject to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and compliance with applicable state
laws (including securities laws) of the states in which the Shares may be
offered and sold, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan and any
applicable option or other award agreement for options or other awards issued
thereunder, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and as an exhibit to any filing made by the Company under
the securities or other laws of any state of the United States in which the
Shares may be offered and sold. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit
that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Act, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

          This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise
relied upon for any other purpose, except as expressly provided in the preceding
paragraph, without our express written consent. This opinion is rendered to you
as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any
change in any applicable law or in facts or circumstances which might affect any
matters or opinions set forth herein.


                                                 Very truly yours,



                                                 /s/ DECHERT LLP