Critical Care Takes Flight: Expert Teams and Technology Reach Remote and Urban Areas
11.20.2025
Hawaii Life Flight’s 24/7 Helicopter Service Now Operational, Bringing Hospital-Level Care Directly to Communities
Global Medical Response (GMR) has announced the opening of its latest rotor-wing facility in Oahu, reestablishing helicopter emergency medical support for the island. Located alongside the company’s fixed-wing operations at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the new base will deploy an Airbus H130 and maintain continuous staffing by experienced pilots, flight nurses and paramedics.
“This milestone represents our continued commitment to the people of Hawaii,” Vice President of Operations Christopher Shrader. “Reestablishing rotor-wing service in Oahu strengthens our ability to deliver timely, high-quality care when and where it’s needed most. It also reflects the trust our healthcare partners and communities continue to place in Hawaii Life Flight.”
Meeting the Island’s Critical Care Needs
With Oahu's population nearing 1 million and hospital resources concentrated in Honolulu, timely medical transport is essential. Traffic congestion, geographic bottlenecks, and limited ground ambulance availability have challenged emergency responses for years. Hawaii Life Flight addresses these challenges by providing direct, immediate access to advanced medical care, no matter where patients are located on the island.
24/7 Readiness and Rapid Response Times
The Airbus H130 helicopter air ambulance averages just seven minutes from launch to arrival at Honolulu hospitals, and 17 minutes to other hospitals in Oahu. Whether responding to emergencies in rural communities, urban centers, or remote coastlines, the program ensures that patients receive swift transport to higher levels of care.
Advanced Medical Teams and Technology
Each helicopter is staffed by a highly qualified team of critical-care clinicians, including flight paramedics and nurses with extensive emergency and trauma experience. Onboard medical technology includes:
Community Impact: Hospital-Level Care When and Where It’s Needed
Hawaii Life Flight supports 911 calls, interfacility transfers, and disaster responses, helping connect people from pre-hospital care to specialized medical centers. By shortening transport times and providing expert care during flights, the service improves outcomes for patients experiencing strokes, trauma, cardiac emergencies, and other critical illnesses.
Shrader noted, “This accomplishment demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of our teams throughout the islands. Every flight, patient, and partnership is a testament to their commitment to compassion, safety, and excellence.”
For over twenty years, Hawaii Life Flight has offered life-saving air transport between islands and critical care throughout Hawaii. Adding rotor-wing capability on O‘ahu expands access to medical services and strengthens the company's mission to deliver safe, reliable, and compassionate transportation for residents of Hawaii.
Financial Peace of Mind: AirMedCare Network Membership
Hawaii Life Flight participates in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), which offers membership options designed to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for emergency air medical services, ONLY when transported by one of their providers. Membership covers all residents of a household for an annual fee of $99, or $79 for seniors. Members receive medically necessary air ambulance transportation from AMCN providers without incurring any additional costs beyond the membership fee.
Global Medical Response, Inc. utilizes REACH Air Medical Services LLC, a Part 135 approved air carrier, operating under FAA certificate # JBZA819S, to operate its rotor-wing aircraft in Hawaii. REACH Air Medical Services LLC maintains operational control of the aircraft at all times.
For more information visit: www.AirMedCareNetwork.com.
“This milestone represents our continued commitment to the people of Hawaii,” Vice President of Operations Christopher Shrader. “Reestablishing rotor-wing service in Oahu strengthens our ability to deliver timely, high-quality care when and where it’s needed most. It also reflects the trust our healthcare partners and communities continue to place in Hawaii Life Flight.”
Meeting the Island’s Critical Care Needs
With Oahu's population nearing 1 million and hospital resources concentrated in Honolulu, timely medical transport is essential. Traffic congestion, geographic bottlenecks, and limited ground ambulance availability have challenged emergency responses for years. Hawaii Life Flight addresses these challenges by providing direct, immediate access to advanced medical care, no matter where patients are located on the island.
24/7 Readiness and Rapid Response Times
The Airbus H130 helicopter air ambulance averages just seven minutes from launch to arrival at Honolulu hospitals, and 17 minutes to other hospitals in Oahu. Whether responding to emergencies in rural communities, urban centers, or remote coastlines, the program ensures that patients receive swift transport to higher levels of care.
Advanced Medical Teams and Technology
Each helicopter is staffed by a highly qualified team of critical-care clinicians, including flight paramedics and nurses with extensive emergency and trauma experience. Onboard medical technology includes:
- Cardiac monitors and 12-lead ECG capability
- Portable ventilators for advanced airway management
- Infusion pumps for precise medication delivery
- Defibrillators and advanced resuscitation equipment
- Specialized trauma kits
- Advanced life-support drugs and supplies
Community Impact: Hospital-Level Care When and Where It’s Needed
Hawaii Life Flight supports 911 calls, interfacility transfers, and disaster responses, helping connect people from pre-hospital care to specialized medical centers. By shortening transport times and providing expert care during flights, the service improves outcomes for patients experiencing strokes, trauma, cardiac emergencies, and other critical illnesses.
Shrader noted, “This accomplishment demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of our teams throughout the islands. Every flight, patient, and partnership is a testament to their commitment to compassion, safety, and excellence.”
For over twenty years, Hawaii Life Flight has offered life-saving air transport between islands and critical care throughout Hawaii. Adding rotor-wing capability on O‘ahu expands access to medical services and strengthens the company's mission to deliver safe, reliable, and compassionate transportation for residents of Hawaii.
Financial Peace of Mind: AirMedCare Network Membership
Hawaii Life Flight participates in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), which offers membership options designed to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for emergency air medical services, ONLY when transported by one of their providers. Membership covers all residents of a household for an annual fee of $99, or $79 for seniors. Members receive medically necessary air ambulance transportation from AMCN providers without incurring any additional costs beyond the membership fee.
Global Medical Response, Inc. utilizes REACH Air Medical Services LLC, a Part 135 approved air carrier, operating under FAA certificate # JBZA819S, to operate its rotor-wing aircraft in Hawaii. REACH Air Medical Services LLC maintains operational control of the aircraft at all times.
For more information visit: www.AirMedCareNetwork.com.
