Hawaiian Helicopter Company Delivers Supplies to Wildfire Survivors in Lahaina
In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that swept through the historic town of Lahaina on Maui, Hawaii, people and groups across the state have come together to provide aid and support to the survivors. One such effort is being undertaken by Rainbow Helicopters, a Honolulu-based helicopter tour company, which has delivered thousands of pounds of supplies to those affected by the fires, with a particular focus on mothers and young children.
On Saturday, the staff at Rainbow Helicopters gathered at their headquarters near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to organize the supplies by weight. The items included feminine hygiene products, baby formula, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap bars, baby wipes, and other essentials. Carefully loaded onto three helicopters, weighing a total of 1,047 pounds, the supplies took off in the afternoon, passing over the lush green sea cliffs of Molokai, providing a stark contrast to the charred and blackened landscape of Lahaina.
Due to a temporary restriction on airspace, the helicopters were unable to fly directly over Lahaina on Saturday. Instead, they landed at Kahului Airport, where a box truck was waiting to receive the supplies. Working together seamlessly, the staff and movers formed an assembly line to load the truck, which would then deliver the supplies to Lahaina and distribute them to families identified by the Na Aikane o Maui Cultural Center.
Nicole Battjes, the CEO and director of operations at Rainbow Helicopters, expressed her satisfaction with the ability to provide assistance directly to moms in need. She mentioned that Lahaina had been left looking like a demolished construction site – dusty and grey. Battjes had flown over the area on a separate supply run the day before and was deeply moved by the destruction.
Matthew Frisbie, who was involved in delivering the supplies on behalf of the cultural center, mentioned the difficulties faced by many in driving into Lahaina with donations due to red tape imposed by authorities. However, on Saturday, Frisbie planned to follow behind a convoy of trucks that had received prior authorization to enter the town.
Rainbow Helicopters’ initiative was borne out of a desire to help in the face of the wildfires. Battjes, who has an 8-week-old baby and a 2-year-old, immediately thought of families who may have lost everything and decided to utilize her unique business and platform to provide aid to women and babies – a niche she felt compelled to address.
Rainbow Helicopters’ efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the community has responded with overwhelming support. Battjes’ GoFundMe page has raised over $31,000. The company has also canceled around 20 helicopter tours to focus solely on transporting donations to Maui.
As Lahaina mourns its losses and tries to rebuild, various organizations across Hawaii are rallying together to provide direct support to those affected by the wildfires. The Hawaii Community Foundation, the Maui Food Bank, the Maui Humane Society, and the World Central Kitchen are just a few of the organizations involved in aiding the recovery efforts.
Battjes and her team at Rainbow Helicopters remain committed to continuing their supply flights for as long as they are needed. She envisions Lahaina being rebuilt into a stronger and more beautiful community. The devastating impact of the wildfires may be a painful reminder of loss, but it has also brought people together, uniting them in a shared determination to rebuild and thrive once again.
