THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	167
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the STATE department of transportation to COORDINATE with the National transportation safety board and federal aviation administration IN A review and evaluatION OF Kaua‘i helicopter operations, AND make recommendations AND A PLAN OF ACTION TO IMProve safety.

     WHEREAS, there have been too many helicopter accidents on the island of Kaua‘i; and

     WHEREAS, the history of helicopter crashes in the past seven years on Kaua‘i include:

     (1)  March 11, 2007 - Inter-island Helicopters crashed in Ha‘ena with one fatality and three people injured;

     (2)  March 8, 2007 - Heli USA tour helicopter crashed on the northwest end of Princeville, resulting in three deaths and several passengers seriously injured;

     (3)  September 23, 2005 - Heli USA tour helicopter went down in the ocean off Ha‘ena, resulting in three fatalities;

     (4)  September 24, 2004 - Bali Hai Helicopters crashed into a cliff near Mount Kahili, resulting in five deaths; and

     (5)  July 23, 2003 - Jack Harter Helicopters went down on Mount Wai‘ale‘ale, resulting in five fatalities; and

     WHEREAS, according to an article of March 11, 2007, of The Honolulu Advertiser, forty people have died and numerous individuals have been injured from accidents statewide, including on the Big Island and Maui since 1994; and

     WHEREAS, even though helicopters are still considered a safe mode of transportation, the United States has experienced 1,363 incidents or accidents since 2000; and

     WHEREAS, without a thorough review of and significant improvements to current helicopter operations policies and procedures, more accidents could happen in populated areas, resulting in damages to homes, as well as more deaths and injuries to both passengers and residents on the ground; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Department of Transportation is requested to coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration to:

(1)  Review and evaluate existing Kaua‘i helicopter operations, make recommendations to improve safety, and implement a plan of action including possible legislation and administrative rules;

(2)  Seek the input of tour helicopter employees, staff, maintenance crews, National Transportation Safety Board, County of Kaua‘i, and the community;

(3)  Review incidents or accidents as well as procedures and policies in other states, with a view to improving Hawaii's helicopter safety record;

(4)  Follow up annually with various stakeholders to ensure that the recommendations are being implemented and consistently followed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Department of Transportation report any findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation; National Transportation Safety Board; Federal Aviation Administration; Kaua‘i County Mayor; Kaua‘i County Council; Kaua‘i County Fire Chief; Hawaii's Congressional delegation; Inter-island Helicopters; Heli USA; Jack Harter Helicopters; Air Kaua‘i; Island Helicopters Kaua‘i; Mauna Loa Helicopters, Inc.; Ni‘ihau Helicopters, Inc.; Safari Helicopters; Will Squyres Helicopter Service; and Rotor Wing Hawai‘i, Inc.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Kaua‘i Helicopter Crashes; Inquiry