In their first game under new coach Daniel Webster, the Hawks had to deal with difficult, windy conditions at Frankston's Kinetic Stadium.
But led by recruit Eliza West, the Hawks handled the wind better, while providing exciting glimpses of what was to come in a 9.12 (66) to 4.4 (28) win in front of 2794 fans.
The Hawks were hard around the contest and showed their willingness to run in waves and quickly move the ball by hand.
"This is just a small glimpse of what we're about and what we can do and I think it's only up from here," West told the Seven Network.
Aileen Gilroy (centre) was one of the Hawks' finest. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Former Demon West racked up the ball at will for Hawthorn, collecting 28 disposals (24 contested possessions) and 10 tackles with support from Tilly Lucas-Rodd (17 touches) and Casey Sherriff (two goals).
Irish guns Aileen Gilroy (16 disposals) and Aine McDonagh snared two goals apiece while Greta Bodey was a constant threat but kicked 1.4.
Abbie McKay (31 disposals, 10 clearances), Mimi Hill (21 touches) and Keeley Sherrar (18 touches) worked hard through the midfield for the Blues, while Mia Austin kicked two goals.
Carlton were dominant early with the first two goals of the game.
But they spurned their wind advantage as quickfire goals to Irish Hawks McDonagh and Gilroy squared up the contest.
Hawthorn hit the front through super goals to Bodey and Gilroy, then burst away to a 20-point lead at halftime.
The Hawks should have walked the ball into an open goal early in the third term, but messed it up, keeping the door open for a Blues revival.
But newly-appointed skipper Emily Bates shut the door when she twisted and turned away from two Carlton defenders before snapping a wonderful goal with the outside of her left boot.
It extended Hawthorn's advantage to 22 points at the final change.
Kicking with the wind in the final term, the Hawks put the foot down, before Austin brilliantly curled home a consolation goal.
Blues Keeley Skepper (ribs) and Celine Moody required medical treatment after coming off worse for wear in tackles in the last quarter.
Hawthorn next play Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday while Carlton travel to Mackay to play Gold Coast on Sunday.
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