HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Maui Police Department is about to have new eyes in the sky, hoping to respond to remote areas quicker than before.
MPD’s first-ever helicopter is on the island, with the department adding finishing touches to prepare for deployment in July.
“The paint scheme is a play on the current police vehicles. The department voted on it. Hekili is thunder in Hawaiian, that’s its name. Blue Thunder,” said MPD Chief John Pelletier.
The new airship comes roughly one year after Pelletier submitted the request.
In a Maui County Council meeting last year, Pelletier said the helicopter would assist with hostage rescues, barricade situations and other incidents during the night hours.
“We need to have 24-hour around-the-clock ways to save people, ways to rescue people. You shouldn’t only look for people during the day,” said Gabe Johnson, Maui County Councilmember.
Maui County budgeted about $2.3 million to pay a contractor to operate the helicopter each year.
The helicopter itself costs about $2.8 million, including $813,000 for mission equipment and $336,800 for one-time start-up expenses.
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According to Pelletier, the airship wouldn’t just be for law enforcement, recommending that MPD and Maui Fire Department could share it.