Kalele Pono blessed in Lihu‘e

LIHU‘E — The cherry-red Kalele Pono, sporting a nice and long maile lei, received its blessing Thursday in Lihu‘e. Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Robert Westerman and KFD Deputy Chief John Blalock said Kalele Pono, which means “to fly safely,” belongs to Kaua‘i County.

“This is an exciting day for all of us as the Kaua‘i Fire Department continues to enhance the service it provides in keeping our residents and visitors safe,” Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said in a county press release.

Carvalho said that having the capability of being able to conduct regular training with the helicopter’s pilot is another reason to be excited.

KFD acquired the MD530F from MD Helicopters of Mesa, Arizona. It is the first aircraft and the newest rescue tool being added to the county’s inventory, according to the release.

A collaborative effort allowed the $2 million aircraft to become a reality for Kaua‘i, Westerman said.

Funding for the helicopter was approved in June, 2010. Westerman said part of the funding came through a Homeland Security grant coordinated through the efforts of the Civil Defense offices.

“We have to thank Eugene Jimenez and the Housing Agency for its efforts at providing some of the funding through a Community Development Block grant,” Westerman said. “That amounted to $150,000, and it’s a great help. It’s that much money that the people of Kaua‘i won’t have to pay.”

Additionally, Westerman said through the efforts of the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, the county was able to acquire the water bucket needed for fire fighting work.

Airborne Aviation has been contracted for the helicopter’s operations and maintenance, Westerman said.

“This is a particularly special event as this is the first aircraft the county will own,” said Westerman, adding that KFD appreciates the past partnership with private helicopter companies, but a dedicated helicopter and pilot will expedite search and rescue operations, increasing efficiency.

Some of the approximately 50 people at the blessing were disappointed to miss the descent of the helicopter on the grounds fronting the civil defense and police department building.

Making a short hop from Lihu‘e Airport, where the helicopter will be hangered, Airborne Aviation pilots Jim Hobbs and Kurt Ventura joked about the smoothness and handling of the Kalele Pono, named by KFD officer Kilipaki Vaughn.

The release states that up until the arrival of the new helicopter, rescuers have had to depend on the availability of helicopter services from contracted private companies, resulting in possible delays in launching a mission.

This arrangement also prevented rescue teams from conducting the appropriate training with the pilots and aircraft utilized for operations.

Westerman said there were times safety crews would go on a rescue mission with a pilot and aircraft they had not worked with, a situation which created additional risks.

“Proper communication between the pilot and rescue crew, or crew resource management, is of the utmost importance during rescue missions,” Westerman said. “Having the adequate training time adds an element of safety we lacked in the past.”

Westerman’s statement was reinforced by KFD’s Mobile Command Communications Vehicle, a self-contained 4×4 van containing a network of communication equipment.

“It’s all about trying to tie all the departments together,” said Westerman, coming off a tabletop exercise earlier this week. “Different departments and agencies utilize different types of radios, and this MCCV has the ability to tie it all together.”

KFD firefighter William “Butch” Keahiolalo said he was privileged to fly to Arizona when the helicopter was turned over to the county, and had the honor of piloting it from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i.

Westerman credited Keahiolalo and KFD Captain Charles Metivier for spearheading the helicopter project.