Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, June 8, 2022

A PARADISE TOUR HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A LAVA FIELD BETWEEN SOUTH POINT ROAD AND THE RANCHOS OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY this evening, injuring six persons, including the pilot who was trapped in the fuselage. 

    According to a report from the Hawai'i Fire Department, the call came into Ocean View Fire Department at 5:37 p.m. The rescue units "were unable to access the remote site in a timely manner," said the report. Help reached the victims by helicopter at 6:15 p.m. A helicopter crew was able to lift three ambulatory victims, an 18 year-old female, 19 year-old female and  23 year-old male from the crash site to a ground medic crew staged at the south end of Menehune Drive in Ranchos. 

    A larger helicopter arrived to extricate the most seriously injured patient, a 19 year-old female and lifted her to ground crews to initiate Advanced Life Support protocols. A second seriously injured patient, a 54 year-old male, was also extricated. 

    The smaller helicopter returned to the site to airlift an ambulatory 48 year-old male to the staging site of the ambulance crew. The larger C-2 helicopter transported the most critical victims to Kona Community Hospital. Other patients were transported to Kona Hospital by ambulance.

     The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident with the cooperation from Paradise Helicopters.

FOR WORLD OCEANS DAY, June 7, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park posted: "While many people associate volcanoes as the defining characteristic of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, all volcanoes in Hawaiʻi originated below the Earth’s crust and rose up through the waves of the mighty Pacific Ocean. The park protects nearly 40 miles of coastline and the marine life that lives there, from Hawaiian monk seals, honuʻea (Hawaiian hawksbill turtles) to ʻōpaeʻula, tiny red shrimp that live in anchialine ponds near the ocean.
    "The coastline in the park is along the exposed, windward side of the island, and there are very few sheltered swimming sites. Rough seas, high surf and strong, unpredictable currents are typical. Stay safe and avoid entering the open ocean. Help protect the tidepools and brackish ponds and rinse off all soap and sunscreen before entering them."

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KAUKAU 4 KEIKI DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS THURSDAY, JUNE 9 at 4 p.m.. Food Hubs for distribution have been set up in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View. 

To sign up, see hawaiifoodbasket.org/kauakau4keiki.       Those receiving food must have a child attending a public or charter school on this island, ages 18 and under, or up to age 22 for children with disabilities.        

    Each child much be eligible for free or reduced lunch. Limit is one Kaukau 4 Keiki set per family. For more information, call 606-933-6030 or email leelen@hawaiifoodbasket.org.

THE UPCOMING JULY 4 HOLIDAY drew an announcement from Fire Chief Kazuo Todd on Wednesday. He announced aerial fireworks shows will be held July 4, launched at 8 p.m. from a barge in Hilo Bay and from a barge off-shore of Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona. 

    He also said firework permits will be issued Wednesday, June 29 through Monday, July 4 at 8 p.m. Permits and firecrackers may be purchased only at the TNT tent at 381 E. Maka'ala Street  in Hilo. Each permit costs $25.00 and will entitle the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits will be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non‑transferable, and non-refundable.

Aerial fireworks in Pāhala years ago. Photo by Kris Bakken

Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.
    Firecrackers (with a valid permit), and consumer fireworks are allowed to be set off during the approved hours of 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4th only.
    "Please be advised that it is unlawful to buy, sell, possess, or set off any Aerial Luminary Device such as Sky Lanterns and Hawai'i Lanterns. Any person in possession of any Aerial Luminary Device, who would like to dispose of it with amnesty, can contact the Fire Department at 932-2911," said the Fire Chief.
     He said he reminds the public "that it is illegal for anyone to remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework; throw firework from a vehicle; and to set off any firework
at any time not within the time period allowed;
     It is also illegal to set off fireworks within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital; in or on any school building or property; on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way; in any park; or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.
  It is illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any firework to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any firework, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.
    The Fire Chief said that the Hawai'i Fire Department tasks everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks. He advised the following: 

Fireworks in the past in Kaʻū. Photo by Julia Neal

    Have a water hose connected to a water source or a fire extinguisher readily available. Wet down surrounding brush prior to setting off firework if need be. Children playing with firework shall be under adult supervision at all times. "Even the smallest of firework can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries."
    Firework should be set off in a safe area away from dry grass, buildings, vehicles, and flammable materials. Dispose of used firework properly by soaking in water prior to disposal.
    Hawai'i Fire Department will conduct a collection of unused and unwanted firework following the 4th of July holiday. Anyone interested in disposing of firework should call the Fire Prevention Branch at 932-2911 for further information regarding the pick-up and drop-off locations. Local fire stations will not accept the drop off of fireworks.
    For more information on the purchasing of firework permits, disposal of firework, or tips on the safe use of firework, please call the Fire Prevention Branch at 932-2911.