Blue Hawaiian

[Darl]

Aloha;
My name is Darl Evans and I am the Chief Pilot for Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. I have been with Blue Hawaiian on the Big Island since we opened in Hilo back longer than I care to remember. Over the years I have been involved with our operations not only here at home but also on Maui and now Kauai. Having established our main base of operations on Maui we began operations on the Big Island with one aircraft here in Hilo and have grown to be the largest helicopter operator in the state of Hawaii. We have, and continue to face many challenges. I can tell you, without reservation, that our company works diligently to minimize our operational impact on the communities in which we all live and work. This is a formidable task in which we devote considerable time and resources. I have, over the years, seen many changes in our operations areas. It has been my observation that as we change operations to address areas of concern, we inevitably create new ones. This would seem to be at the root of the current situation. We have recently changed our procedures as the areas that were working well in the past have now become populated. It would seem that we have some more work to do. The first step is to have good communications with those involved.

We have had many similar issues and have been successful in resolving the vast majority of them. Our program on Maui continues to be a benchmark for the industry. We would like to achieve the same level of success here on the Big Island. This cannot be accomplished without active participation and effective communication from all concerned. We would welcome the opportunity to begin this process.

[aikahimomma]

does your flight path often include 9 road in HA?

[oink]

Darl,
That was a very nice and encouraging post. I hope everyone will take it at face value and give you the opportunity to prove it's sincerity. Please do expect some attacks. Don't be dissuaded by them. Some will be based on honest frustration. Hopefully you and those most affected by your operations can work out a resolution that will be acceptable to most without protracted agony. I hope to soon build in an area that is affected by your operations. I'm personally anoyed by the noise helicopters make but open to solutions other than a cessation of flights.

Cheers,

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Kelena]

Bravo, aloha and welcome aboard Darl. As Puna becomes more populated, we will all have to work together to reach solutions to the problems that affect the quality of life in the District. We understand that we are en route to one of the most amazing natural phenomenon in the world, and the most visited site in Hawaii. Sitting down at the virtual table to discuss citizen concerns about the quality of life issues in connection with the flights is a great first step toward identifying any problems that may exist, and toward reaching a mutual solution to those problems.

My expectation is that the dialogue will be constructive and that each person engaging in this dialog will be polite without abandoning their need to communicate what is on their mind.

My expectation is that all participants will focus on facts, and not emotions and that the goal will be to reach a mutally agreeable solution.

You are off to a great start. If everyone can maintain that tone and reach out in the spirit of compromise, this could work out very well.

[loffelkopffl]

simple fly over the ocean to the volcano and stop flying over our houses

[malolo]

I've lived on the Big Island for a little over 20 years. For awhile ('til a tremendously-annoyed extremely-bright artist-neighbor painted "Helicopters Crash" on his roof), we were directly in the flight path.

Funny I've never been able to understand why visitors would want to fly over a bunch of houses anyhow. Particularly when there's a much more beautiful way to do things.

Perhaps they're not given the choice?
Perhaps the companies are into it more for the money than the potential pleasure that it brings?

In any case, I know that if I were to ever want to take a helicopter flight, I would want the most bang for my buck.

I would choose the company that offered trips along the beautiful coastline, over water to the lava field and up. I'd want to see the contrast of colors. I'd like to think that in addition to seeing the vent, seeing a whale was a possibility.

And were I to be a visitor, and hear that the company I'd chosen to fly with had actually changed their policies, changed their routes so as to be good neighbors, I'd feel even better about my choice.

And I would tell others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edited by - malolo on 11/10/2007 07:59:32

[Carolann R]

Welcome to PW Darl!! Good to hear from you. Your being open to hearing what the locals think is very diplomatic and willingness to communicate is essential.

This thread has started on a great note, and as oink stated, don't be dissuaded by some darts being tossed your way...it's just part of the deal!! Welcome!

Carrie

http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.com
http://www.myspace.com/carrie_rojo


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama

[dakine]

Darl - thank you for your obviously sincere post. I have been negatively impacted by your companies flight path for years. I am speaking of the traffic that comes over from the South Kohala heliport. A few years ago I called and began a dialog with Eric Lincoln who was very nice on the phone. But after numerous conversations, and swapping of emails etc., including maps, nothing changed. And, all that I was hoping for was a slight change in your flight path, to an area with no development what so ever. But alas, even with all of Eric's assurance that my request was reasonable and that he would direct the pilots to make the change, your helicopters still find it necessary to offer your passengers views of my house as a part of your tours. In fact, I assume it is because the nation park will not allow you all to fly over the the summit, most of your company flights like to do a complete 360 turn over the volcano village area while on your way to the Puu Oo vents. This, especially when there is an alternative that does not impact anyone, is not necessary, at least to me. But alas, I made my complaint, and was given a whitewash, and as much as I would like to see change in this matter I had to conclude at the time I have way too much on my plate that needs my attention than to bang my head against that one. Of course if there is a real concerted effort I surely will join in with my vote.

I guess Darl I am asking, if spending all that time with Eric did not get me anywhere, what can one do to effect reasonable change shy of getting upset and going to the ends that the community repeatedly finds itself regarding this matter?

[mgeary]

Aloha, Darl. I'm impressed that you'd join this group after what I've read elsewhere on this website. I'm also fairly impressed with the responses, so far, from the Punatics. People can disagree without being disagreeable, and reasonable people can find compromise solutions to problems, if they want to, and are willing to work at it. You've apparently started a necessary dialogue off on a pleasant note.

For what it's worth, I hope that some flight corridor or other arrangement can be found that impacts the homeowners below in the least amount possible, yet maintains the ability for people from around the world to come and enjoy helicopter flights over Volcano National Park.

I have no idea what the appropriate or minimal impact solution would be. I hope you are able to work with the local citizens to develop that solution. No matter what happens, you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Good luck and mahalo.

How do I know?

Edited by - mgeary on 11/10/2007 11:46:23

[Carolann R]

I really think you hit it right-on, Glen:

quote:

---

We understand that we are en route to one of the most amazing natural phenomenon in the world, and the most visited site in Hawaii. Sitting down at the virtual table to discuss citizen concerns about the quality of life issues in connection with the flights is a great first step toward identifying any problems that may exist, and toward reaching a mutual solution to those problems.

---

_______________________________

It's no great wonder that people from everywhere on earth want to see this place...we did, and it was so intoxicating that we moved here. I hope there's an answer that is a more pleasant solution for everyone.

Carrie

http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.com
http://www.myspace.com/carrie_rojo


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama