City helicopters return to sky

Honolulu Police and Fire Department helicopters are back in the air after the city issued an interim contract to maintain them.

The city grounded two yellow fire helicopters and two blue helicopters flown by police pilots last week after maintenance contractor Rotor Wing Hawaii ran into financial trouble.

Jesse Broder Van Dyke, city spokes­man, said Rotor Wing Hawaii was supposed to maintain and insure the four helicopters from its hangars on Lagoon Drive.

But after the owner died, the company was facing bankruptcy and its insurance expired July 21.

"For obvious reasons the (city) Budget Department does not want the helicopters flying without insurance and a maintenance crew," Broder Van Dyke said.

On Monday, Broder Van Dyke said the city has an interim maintenance plan in place, and the city’s risk management office has determined that the city’s insurance policy will cover the helicopters. The city declined to name the interim contractor.

"Helicopter operations are good to go for mission duties," he added. "This includes training, patrol, search and rescue, firefighting."

Broder Van Dyke did not say how long it would take to secure a permanent maintenance contractor.

The Fire Department’s helicopters were out of service for a day, July 21, when the department foundthe interim contractor.

Fire Capt. David Jenkins said "there was no impact" because the department has an agreement to use Coast Guard helicopters in an emergency. There was only one water rescue July 21, which was handled by lifeguards using water scooters, he added.

The Fire Department’s yellow Air 1 and Air 2 are familiar sights in island skies as they assist lost and stranded hikers, boaters, swimmers and surfers, and help extinguish brush fires.

The Police Department’s helicopters returned to limited service for emergency operations July 23.

The police helicopters support operations such as traffic monitoring, recovery of stolen vehicles and the eradication of marijuana and other illegal drugs.