Alaska Airlines Sued For $521,900 After 11 Japanese Paintings Ruined In Honolulu Rainstorm

Alaska Airlines is facing a lawsuit seeking more than $521,900 after 11 Japanese paintings were allegedly soaked and badly damaged during a Honolulu rainstorm while being transferred between flights. The artworks were traveling from Osaka, Japan, to New York via Honolulu en route to Naga Antiques. Both flight legs were operated by Hawaiian Airlines, which Alaska now owns fully. The incident occurred March 18, 2026, involving two Hawaiian Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The complaint says workers removed the paintings from the arriving A330 without adequate protection from heavy rain on the Honolulu ramp, despite employees allegedly knowing the conduct could cause significant damage. The insurer valued the paintings collectively at over $521,900.