Today, Square announced that Pages & Pages, a retail business facilitated by Blind Vendors Ohana (BVO) with ten stores operating inside Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), has selected Square’s integrated commerce platform to power and modernize its airport retail operations. The decision was driven by Square’s intentionally designed accessibility features embedded across its hardware and software ecosystem, as well as its advanced multi-location inventory management system and streamlined staff training capabilities, all of which are critical for managing high-traffic retail environments in one of the busiest transportation hubs in the United States.
Transforming Airport Retail Through Accessible Commerce Technology
Operating within one of the nation’s 30 busiest airports, Pages & Pages serves more than 21 million travelers each year, creating a dynamic and fast-paced retail environment that demands precision, reliability, and efficiency. At the same time, the company has a unique mission: empowering blind and low-vision employees to work confidently and independently in a competitive airport retail setting. By implementing Square’s accessibility-forward technology suite, Pages & Pages has significantly upgraded from its previous decades-old system, which lacked adaptive features and often required additional assistance for routine transactions. The new platform enables team members to independently process sales, manage inventory in real time, assist customers seamlessly, and maintain operational accuracy without relying on sighted support. This transformation is not merely technological; it represents a cultural and operational shift toward autonomy, empowerment, and inclusion in high-volume retail commerce.
Upgrading from Legacy Systems to Modern Integrated Solutions
For years, the limitations of an outdated point-of-sale infrastructure constrained operational agility at Pages & Pages. Manual processes and insufficient adaptive tools restricted employee independence and slowed transaction times during peak travel hours. The migration to Square’s modern commerce platform replaces fragmented workflows with a unified, cloud-based system that connects all ten locations across the airport. Real-time data synchronization ensures consistent pricing, centralized inventory visibility, and accurate reporting across every store. The improved infrastructure reduces errors, increases transaction speed, and supports data-driven decision-making. Most importantly, the accessible interface empowers blind and low-vision staff members to perform tasks confidently, reinforcing operational efficiency while promoting equitable workplace participation.
Deploying Accessible Hardware Across Ten High-Traffic Locations
The comprehensive rollout includes Square Handheld devices that support mobile point-of-sale transactions and on-the-floor inventory tracking, allowing staff to assist customers wherever needed within store spaces. The deployment also features Square Terminal units with adjustable display settings and magnification capabilities designed specifically for low-vision users, ensuring that transaction information remains clear and adaptable. Additionally, Square Stand devices integrated with VoiceOver technology provide audio-assisted checkout experiences, enabling blind employees to navigate menus, process payments, and complete transactions using auditory feedback. The cohesive integration of these tools ensures consistency across all retail locations, eliminating technological disparities between stores and creating a standardized operational model that is both inclusive and scalable.
Strengthening Multi-Location Inventory and Operational Oversight
Managing inventory across ten airport stores requires precise coordination, particularly when dealing with fluctuating traveler demand, seasonal tourism patterns, and high product turnover rates. Square’s integrated inventory management system consolidates stock data across all outlets, allowing management to monitor product levels in real time, automate reordering processes, and track performance metrics by location. This centralized visibility minimizes stockouts, reduces waste, and ensures that popular items remain available during peak travel periods. For employees, the accessible inventory tools mean they can independently verify stock levels, update counts, and process transfers without additional oversight. The result is a smoother supply chain workflow that balances operational control with employee autonomy.
Accessibility-First Staff Training and Workforce Empowerment
Beyond hardware and transaction capabilities, Square’s platform supports accessibility-focused training tools that enable employees to learn system operations efficiently. Staff onboarding sessions included close collaboration between Square’s implementation team and Pages & Pages leadership, with in-person training to ensure a smooth rollout. Training modules prioritize intuitive navigation, voice guidance compatibility, and adaptable display settings to accommodate varying levels of vision. This structured onboarding not only accelerates employee confidence but also reduces training time for new hires. In a high-turnover environment such as airport retail, where staffing flexibility is crucial, having an accessible and easy-to-learn system significantly enhances workforce resilience and long-term sustainability.
A Legacy of Opportunity Through Blind Vendors Ohana
Pages & Pages operates under the facilitation of Blind Vendors Ohana, an organization that has supported blind and low-vision entrepreneurs across Hawaii for more than eight decades. Through BVO’s programs, business owners receive startup equipment, in-depth operational training, and continuous mentorship to help sustain their enterprises. The organization’s longstanding presence within airport retail demonstrates how structured support and accessible technology can intersect to create viable, long-term career pathways. By combining BVO’s entrepreneurial framework with Square’s adaptive commerce tools, Pages & Pages reinforces a model where disability does not limit opportunity but rather coexists with innovation and performance excellence.
Enhancing the Traveler Experience in Hawaii
The modernization of Pages & Pages’ retail infrastructure also contributes to an enhanced traveler experience within the airport environment. Efficient checkout processes reduce wait times, while empowered employees engage confidently with visitors from around the globe. As the only 100 percent blind-owned and locally operated company within Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Pages & Pages plays a distinctive role in shaping the Aloha experience for travelers arriving in and departing from Hawaii. The integration of accessible commerce technology aligns operational excellence with community values, reinforcing the idea that inclusivity strengthens—not compromises—service quality.
Technology Designed with Purpose and Economic Impact
According to leadership at Square, the partnership underscores the importance of designing technology intentionally with accessibility at its core. By embedding inclusive features directly into mainstream commerce tools, Square aims to level the playing field for entrepreneurs and employees who have historically faced systemic barriers. The collaboration with Pages & Pages demonstrates how accessible design principles can extend beyond compliance to become a driver of economic empowerment. Enabling blind and low-vision professionals to operate independently in a fast-paced airport retail setting illustrates the broader societal impact of inclusive innovation.
Building a Model for Inclusive Retail Innovation
The success of the Pages & Pages implementation offers a replicable model for other high-traffic retail environments seeking to integrate accessibility into their operational strategy. Airports, transit hubs, and large-scale commercial centers frequently manage complex inventory networks and rapid transaction cycles. By leveraging a unified commerce platform that integrates accessible hardware, cloud-based management systems, and adaptive training tools, organizations can achieve both operational excellence and workforce inclusivity. Pages & Pages’ experience demonstrates that accessibility enhancements are not auxiliary add-ons but integral components of a modern retail ecosystem.
A Shared Mission of Independence and Community
At its core, the collaboration between Square and Pages & Pages reflects a shared commitment to independence, dignity, and community engagement. Employment within these airport retail locations provides more than wages; it fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful contribution. Through accessible commerce technology, blind and low-vision employees can perform their roles confidently, serving millions of travelers while representing the inclusive spirit of Hawaii. The partnership reinforces the idea that thoughtfully engineered tools can expand opportunity, strengthen local economies, and redefine expectations around what accessible workplaces can achieve.
With the deployment complete across all ten stores, Pages & Pages stands as a testament to how modern commerce infrastructure can bridge operational demands with social impact. By replacing outdated systems with a comprehensive, accessibility-first platform, the organization has positioned itself for continued growth within one of the nation’s busiest airport environments. As inclusive design becomes an increasingly critical component of technological innovation, the collaboration signals a broader shift toward equitable economic participation—where independence is not a luxury, but a standard feature built directly into the tools that power everyday business.
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