A recently released National Transportation Safety Board report details communications between the operators of a helicopter on an instructional flight and air traffic controllers in the moments before the helicopter disappeared from radar and ceased radio contact over waters off Molokai in October.

The incident occurred at about 7:18 p.m. Oct. 16 off the northwest coast of Molokai. Rescuers later found debris from the aircraft floating in the ocean. The two people aboard — instructor Oliver Kirsch, 25, and advanced student Jeremy Dossetter, 27 — remain missing and are presumed dead.

The Robinson R44 helicopter was registered to Stasys Aviation Leasing LLC and operated by Hawaii Pacific Aviation doing business as Mauna Loa Helicopters.

Due to weather conditions, the flight from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport was operated on instrument flight rules, according to a preliminary report released by the NTSB late last month.

As the helicopter approached Molokai Airport, air traffic control cleared the flight for a practice approach using GPS-based navigation and provided instructions for the procedure. After a successful practice approach, the flight again contacted air traffic control, which issued clearance and instructions for landing.

The flight verified receipt of the message, the last anyone would hear from the helicopter’s’s occupants.

Shortly afterward, the report noted, the controller noticed that the helicopter had descended to 3,600 feet, after having been instructed to ascend to 4,000 feet. Radar contact and radio communication were then lost.

Debris and a red ChemLight were discovered in waters northwest of Molokai. An uninflated life jacket was also found along the northwest coast of the island.

Hospital escapee fighting extradition to isles

Hawaii State Hospital escapee Randall Saito is contesting extradition to Hawaii.

In a court appearance Monday, Saito’s attorney requested a hearing to contest the extradition, and Saito will appear again in a San Joaquin County courtroom on the matter at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Robert Himelblau told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that Saito, who is represented by a public defender, did not speak in his court appearance.

The state of Hawaii is seeking to have the State Hospital escapee returned after he walked out of the psychiatric facility Nov. 12, chartered a flight from Oahu to Maui and then took a commercial flight to California.

If returned to Hawaii, Saito would be held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center unless he posts $500,000 bail or bond for the escape charge. If he posts bail, he will be returned to the State Hospital.

Maui

State issues water advisory

The state Health Department on Tuesday issued a brown-water advisory for the stretch of shoreline from Honolua to Hanakaoo.

The advisory is due to heavy rain resulting in stormwater runoff. The newest advisory joins existing ones for Honolua and Honokahua bays as well as the stretch of shoreline from Hookipa Beach Park to Waiehu on Maui posted Monday.

Brown-water advisories also remain in place for the northeast coast and Hilo Bay of Hawaii island, Kakahaia Wildlife Refuge on Molokai and Waimea Bay on Oahu.

“The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated flood debris,” said the advisory. “Not all coastal areas may be impacted by runoff, however, if the water is brown stay out. Continue to practice good personal hygiene and follow up with your primary care physician” with concerns.

Kauai

Kapaa road to be resurfaced

A contractor will be resurfacing Kahau Road in Kapaa from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday.

One lane of alternating traffic will be open for residents on Kahau Road. Kaua‘i Recycles residential drop bins at the end of Kahau Road will also be accessible to the public during this time.

Vehicle parking on the streets within the coned work zones will not be allowed. Any vehicle left on the street within the work zones after 8 a.m. will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Maui Kupono Builders has the contract, according to the Department of Public Works.

Utility company warns of scam

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has received multiple calls from commercial members reporting they had received a call from a purported KIUC representative that their account needed to be paid immediately or they would be cut off.

Similar incidents were reported in October, April and January. KIUC does not initiate calls to customers about late bills.

Customers can get information about their accounts online via SmartHub. Members can sign up at kiuc.smarthub.coop.