Rotorcraft
Hawaii Helitour Operators Fly in Fire Relief
In the aftermath of devastating Maui fires, Hawaii helitour operators step up to help
Rainbow Helicopters relief mission (Photo: Rainbow Helicopters)
Rainbow Helicopters was among the operators who jumped into action to provide relief while the fires ravaged Maui. (Photo: Rainbow Helicopters)

In the days immediately after wildfires ravaged portions of the Hawaiian island of Maui on August 8 and 9, in-state helitour operators swung into action, flying in tons of much-needed water, baby formula and diapers, feminine hygiene products, and pet food donated by volunteers and delivered via the island’s airports in Kahului (POGG) and Kapalua (PHJH), which remained open.

Rainbow Helicopters president Nicole Battjes, who has been working on the islands for 12 years, said the 70-mph sustained winds that fueled the Maui conflagration were the highest she had seen during her time in Hawaii and that they had shut down her operations on Oahu for two days. “That’s a pretty big deal for us," she said. "It was just insane.”  

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