Paradise Helicopter Newsletter: Summer 2007

Paradise Helicopters Pilot Rescues Stranded Tourists

Cynthia and her family were visiting from Kansas this past spring. After speaking with the rangers and other tourists at Kilauea Volcanoes National Park, they ventured out on what they thought to be a 45 minute evening hike to see the Volcano in its nightly splendor.

After two hours of walking and not getting anywhere (or seeing anyone), they realized they could be in some danger. By midnight, this close family of four, along with a friend, bedded down for the night. Despite the rain, they rested and tried to gather information.

The next morning, this tired family was off towards the volcano again, looking for help. An airplane flew over and they tried to flag him to let him know they needed help, but the plane wagged his wings and flew on. They waited another two hours, hoping the plane had realized their peril and had radioed for help.

Then, just when Cynthia was about to give up, Kiwi Jones, and the Bell 407, was flying over the lava flows and spotted the stranded tourists. They signaled feverishly to get Kiwi's attention. Kiwi immediately recognized their distress. He knew it was unsafe to land, so he had his young pilot write a note saying help would be on its way, crumple it up, and throw it out the window to the family. He climbed up to 7000 feet and radioed Hilo control tower to send the county helicopter. He then came back down and threw another note down to the family stating help was coming immediately.

Kiwi met the county chopper in the air and led it to the family.

Cindy writes in a letter to Paradise Helicopters, "You figured out we were in trouble, you were a gift from God." Kiwi was just happy to be a part of the rescue! Of course, the cookies and letter of appreciation he received were an added bonus!

Three Best Beaches on the Big Island

• Anaeho'omalu Beach

Located behind the Royal Waikoloan Hotel, public access is on the South end. The beach is white, long, covered with palm trees and is very well maintained with good rest rooms. There is very little surf, good swimming and good snorkeling. Anaeho'omalu is pronounced Ah nye ho-oh mah loo, but if that's too much, you can say A-bay, lots of people do. Located about 20 miles north of Kona.

• Hapuna Beach

This beach is a "classic Hawaiian beach." You will be amazed and in awe when you step through the bushes and palms and see the almost mile long stretch of clean white sand. Great for body surfing, surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. There are pavilion areas, rest rooms, grassy areas, and palm trees. Snorkel and boogie boards rentals and a snack shack is on the premise. Hapuna is pronounced just like it looks (Hah poo nah) and is located about 30 miles north of Kona on Highway 19.

• Kauna'oa Beach

Want to go to a beach voted "best beach in the world" twice by Conde-Nash Traveller? Here it is, baby! It's even free, but in order to keep the beach clean, pristine, and full of coral and fish life (and not so crowded), the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel that owns it, limits access to 30 passes at a time. Try to get there by 9a, or you can wait till someone leaves. Kauna'oa is pronounced cow na-oh ah and is located near the Mauna Kea Beach hotel, about 31 miles north of Kona.

Paradise at Turtle Bay

Kids Wish Network fulfill boy's wish

Four year-old Haddon is a happy little guy with a penchant for everything and anything Toy Story! He's especially crazy about Buzz Lightyear and never tires of watching the movie.

Haddon was diagnosed in 2005 with Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes the lungs to be clogged with thick, heavy mucus. The condition often leads to very serious and life-threatening lung infections. The disease frequently affects digestion which results in the body's ability to properly break down food. Each day is a struggle for Haddon who must endure daily breathing treatments. He also take various medications and must visit his doctors frequently.

Despite his physical ailments, Haddon remains true to his spirit. He is a fun-loving little boy who enjoys going to preschool and learning.

This special little guy had one big wish: to swim with the dolphins in Hawaii and fly in a helicopter. When Paradise Helicopters learned of Haddon's request, they were happy to make his dream come true and provide a helicopter ride while he was on Oahu.

This spring, Paradise Helicopters Turtle Bay was privileged to add to Haddon's wish; they gave him a bird's eye view of Oahu. This is how Haddon's mom puts it:

Dear Paradise Helicopters,

Thank you so much for the gift you so graciously gave to us. That was a view of Hawaii that we will never forget. Both of you made us feel at home and we all enjoyed our ride. The boys have went on and on to all their friends and the posters are a wonderful memory for them. This is a blessing from God and we praise him for this and for people like you who give to bless others. May he bless you. Thanks again and know that we will always treasure this wonderful memory with our family. Thanks for making our trip so enjoyable. God bless-

We at Paradise, found it a privilege to take Haddon and his family on this memorable trip. Thanks for letting us help you experience Paradise!

Big Island Calendar

June 2
Honu Half-Ironman Triathlon
Mauna Lani Resort

JUNE 9 & 10
Johnny Winter
Hilo's Palace Theater

June 11
KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY PARADE
Kailua Kona

June 11
NORTH KOHALA KAMEHAMEHA DAY CELEBRATION
North Kohala

June 24
KONA MARATHON & FAMILY FUN RUNS
Keauhou-Kona

June 14-17
DOLPHIN DAYS SUMMER FEST
Hilton Waikoloa

June 15-17, 22-24, 29-30
PIDGIN MUSICAL
Volcanoes National Park

June 23
RELAY FOR LIFE
Kailua Kona

June 30-July 1
ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

July 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Kailua Kona

July 4
45th ANNUAL 4th OF JULY RODEO
Parker Ranch

July 14
HAWAII VOLCANOES NAT.L PARK'S ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Volcanoes National Park

July 21 & 22
ANNUAL BIG ISLAND HAWAIIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Hilo

July 27, 28 & 29
HPM's 4th ANNUAL HOME BUILDING & REMODELING SHOW
Hilo

July 28
ANNUAL "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" ART, GIFT, COLLECTIBLES & CRAFT FAIR
King Kamehameha's Kona Beach hotel

July 28
25th ANNUAL KILAUEA VOLCANO RUNS
Volcanoes National Park

August 10-12
55th ANNUAL HILO ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW & SALE
Edith Kanakaole Stadium, Hilo

August 18
ANNUAL TASTE OF LIFE BENEFIT
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort

August 18
HAWAII'S 4TH ANNUAL WORLD HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Hilo

August (TBA)
KONA COFFEE FAIR
Lanihau Center, Kailua Kona

Did you know...?

Paradise Helicopters is assisting in rebuilding the ditch system at the earthquake-damaged Kohala Coast. Once completed, irrigations systems will be restored to bring water to the farmers. Currently farmers are unable to grow their crops, hindering their livelihood. Story to follow in next quarter's newsletter.

Extreme Home Makeover Helps Oahu Family

Sleepy Kalihi Valley was awoken by the voice of Ty Pennington from the national television show Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

"Good morning Akana family!," says Ty Pennington. Pennington and the crew greeted Momi Akana and her family of six with news that they had been selected to receive the next home makeover.
"Ten years ago Momi was on welfare and yet she found she could use her welfare check to actually start a non-profit to help other single mothers-- to help other native Hawaiianders," says Diane Korman, Extreme Makeover home edition.

Akana is the founder of Keiki O Ka 'Aina, a non-profit organization that has helped thousands of Hawaii families, and is also the new partner of Lokahi Giving.

"Social services, parenting classes, educational classes for young children-- we work in the prisons with incarcerated parents and their children," says Akana.

"This family has made such a difference in the community for many years and for us to now actually make a difference for them is really what's going to be rewarding," says Jeffrey Prostor, Brookfield Homes.

Call it the Super Bowl of home building. Led by Brookfield Homes Hawaii --- construction began early Tuesday morning and continued around the clock for 106 hours. This narrow road deep in Kalihi Valley will be busy with nearly 2000 volunteers who'll turn this lot into an extremely made-over home.

"Normally it takes about six months to build a house. Six months gets stacked into six days," says Korman.

"My heart is just over-whelmed and I think it is because she has given back so much to the community," says Maria Randall, Akana's mother.

"She's always looked to give to other people before thinking of herself," says Tammy Turcios, Momi Akana's sister.

"So deserving, hard working, and just always giving in the community," says Heather Wong, Akana's sister.

Neighbors know it will be a hectic week. "It is worth it," says Eleanor Rodrigues. "We call it ohana all over here-- we watch each other's back."

The city did its part to fast-track the permit and planning process in order to make this family's dream come true.

Paradise Helicopters had the honor of providing arial coverage of the week-long event. We are pleased to say, "Welcome Home, Akana Family!"

Volcano Update

"Fist-sized rocks were tossed as far as 450 feet inland from the edge of the embayment," the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at Kilauea recently reported, adding that one rock that was more than a foot across was hurled almost 400 feet inland.

The observatory also reported "more than the normal number of small earthquakes" and said the collapse of land into the sea involved 16 acres, or about a third of the full bench.

"New cracks were mapped inland of the sea cliff," the report said. "Explosions tossed rock fragments into the area producing about three acres of rock debris. Most of the largest rock bits landed within the NPS ropeline, underscoring the importance of staying behind it."

Spring 2007 Statistics

Turtle Bay: 477 passengers
Our most popular tour is our Oahu Experience, a 60 minute flight showing all of Oahu

Hilo: 2724 passengers
Hilo features an exciting tour option called Doors Off Experience. You can feel the heat as you fly over the volcano!

Kona: 1584 passengers
See the whole island; even land in a private valley for a picnic lunch.

Final Word from the President

The beginning of 2007 started out busy and it just keeps going! Although we had a few setbacks, our sales and occupancy numbers are up - demonstrating the growth of the company and the quality of all of the people who make Paradise Helicopters the best Helicopter company in the State of Hawaii.

The Oahu base continues to grow and is providing helicopter services for a wide range of customers. From lifting air conditioners to the top of Waikiki.s tallest buildings, to helping conservation efforts in protecting endangered snails, Paradise Helicopters has the aircraft and the ability to provide unmatched service.

On the Island of Hawaii, our Hilo base has the unique problem of being full almost every day. Our MD 500 helicopters offer customers something different and the chance to really enjoy flying with our doors-off tour.

Not to be outdone, the Kona operation has the only Bell 407's in Hawaii. The versatility of the aircraft is astounding and we can go from a tour to assisting the Fire Department in a matter of minutes. With the fastest cruise speed and the smoothest ride, the Bell 407 is making a positive impact on the Island.

As we begin the summer season we are looking forward to moving in new directions and working to keep Paradise Helicopters the best all around helicopter company in the Islands.