Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, April 14, 2023

     A press release from the delegation says that Hawai'i has recorded more deaths from air tours than any other state and that Hawai'i Tour Management Act would mandate that FAA and State of Hawai'i come up with a plan to reduce accidents and noise. The Hawai‘i Air Tour Management Act would require the FAA

Air tour photo from past days of lava flowing promotes flightseeing by helicopter on Hawai'i Island. Photo from HawaiiActivities.com

Administrator to work with the Governor of Hawai‘i to establish an air tour management plan for all parts of the state not already covered by a National Park air tour management plan.

    Case said, “Severe safety and community disruption concerns from tour helicopter and small aircraft operations have been rampant for several years if not decades, and it is ignoring the facts and reality to assume the operators will self-regulate or that the Federal Aviation Administration will do so in any meaningful way. Clearly Congress must act to require reasonable regulation to protect lives and property and preserve communities as the operators and FAA will not.”

    Tokuda said, “I am pleased to introduce the Air Tour and Skydiving Safety Improvement Act and co-lead the Hawai‘i Air Tour Management Act with my delegation colleagues to increase safety in our skies and address noise pollution. Activities popular with tourists, like helicopter tours and skydiving, impact the daily lives of locals and we need to make sure that these operations are conducted safely and that our policies are fostering an environment of respect and a sustainable use of Hawaiʻi’s air space and natural resources. These bills will do just that by ensuring that commercial tour operators meet many of the same safety requirements as commercial and charter flights, resulting in better management of Hawaiʻi’s airspace as a whole.”

     Schatz said, “The constant noise and tragic number of accidents we’ve seen in Hawai‘i have made it clear that we need to do more to both make air tours less disruptive for residents and safer for passengers and pilots. Our two bills will apply new standards to make air tours safer, help air tour companies operate more responsibly, and reduce noise.”

A tour helicopter crashed off South Point Road in the lava in June of 2022. Photo from National Transportation Safety Board

    

    Hirono said, “Air tours contribute to Hawai‘i’s tourism economy, but repeated crashes and safety incidents have underscored the need to do more to protect passengers, operators, and communities. Safety must be the top priority for air tour operators. This bill will help prevent future tragedies by strengthening the safety regulations governing air tours in Hawai‘i and across the country.”
     The statement from the Congressional delegation says that in Hawai‘i, "at least 85 people have died in air tour crashes since the National Transportation Safety Board began keeping records – the highest number of any state. Because of a gap in federal law, certain commercial air tour operators are subject to less stringent safety standards – known as Part 91 under U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations – that were intended for small, private recreational flights. Most commercial air tours and charter flight operators are subject to more rigorous safety and training standards, known as Part 135.”
    The statement says that the "Air Tour and Skydiving Safety Improvement Act would close the loophole for Part 91 commercial air tour operators and improve Part 135 regulations to be more in line with those of larger flight operations. The bill would also require small aircraft tour operators to use warning systems for remote terrain flights, begins a process to improve data collection to track these flights, and aims to improve pilot training and aircraft maintenance for parachute operators. It is supported by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, National Air Transportation Association, and National Business Aviation Association."
TANAIYA HAO-KALLIO OF OCEAN VIEW is subject of a renewed request for the public’s assistance

Tanaiya Hao-Kallio

in locating the 17-year-old, who was reported as a runaway. Hawai'i Police Department issued a statement saying Hao-Kallio was last seen on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, near the intersection of Makala Boulevard and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona. She is 5 feet 9 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
    Police ask anyone with information on Hao-Kallio’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Jeremiah Hull of the Area II Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 326-4646, ext. 302.

Kawika Jerin-Kealoha

BENJAMIN KAWIKA JERIN-KEALOHA OF KAʻŪ is sought by Hawaiʻi Island police who ask for the public’s assistance with locating the 28-year-old. He is wanted on several outstanding bench warrants, as well as for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.
    Jerin-Kealoha is described as being 5-foot-9 inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown eyes and hazel hair. He is known to frequent the areas of Ka‘ū and South Kona.
    The Hawai'i Police Department would also like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbors or conceals the wanted person.
    Anyone with information on Jerin- Kealoha’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Jason Foxworthy at (808) 326-4646, ext. 262, 808-333-2921, or via email at jason.foxworthy@hawaiicounty.gov. Also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
   Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.