Hawaii Life Flight Launches Kauaʻi’s First RotorWing Air Medical Service
4.9.2026
The new medical helicopter officially began service across the island following a local blessing.
Hawaii Life Flight has officially launched Kauaʻi’s first rotor-wing air medical service, significantly expanding access to emergency and critical care for residents and visitors across the island. The helicopter entered service following a blessing held April 7, marking an important milestone for both the program and the community it serves.
“This is a meaningful moment for Kauaʻi,” said Brent Lopez, regional director for Hawaii Life Flight. “Beginning this service with a blessing was an important way to honor the island, its people, and the responsibility that comes with caring for our community.”
On Kauaʻi, reaching advanced medical care can take several hours by ground—time that can critically impact patient outcomes. With the addition of this dedicated medical helicopter, patients can now be transported directly from the point of injury or illness to definitive care, whether at local hospitals or specialized facilities on neighboring islands.
Lopez adds, “This helicopter will dramatically reduce response and transport times and help ensure patients receive the right care, at the right place, as quickly as possible.”
A Community-Driven Milestone
Local hospitals, first responders, and community partners identified the need for a rotor wing resource to complement Kauaʻi’s existing EMS system. Hawaii Life Flight worked closely with those partners to bring this service to life, ensuring it strengthens, rather than replaces, current emergency response capabilities.
“This helicopter is here because the community asked for it,” Lopez said. “Our role is to support local responders and expand the island’s ability to care for patients when minutes truly matter.”
Hawaii Life Flight, part of Global Medical Response (GMR), already operates a medically equipped fixed wing aircraft on Kauaʻi. The addition of rotor wing service represents a continued investment in the island’s healthcare infrastructure and long-term emergency readiness.
What This Means for Kauaʻi
With the helicopter now in service, Hawaii Life Flight will help:
Hawaii Life Flight participates in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), which offers memberships designed to eliminate out of pocket costs for emergency air medical transport only when flown by an AMCN provider.
Membership protects all residents of a household for $99 per year, or $79 for seniors, and ensures members do not receive a bill beyond their membership fee for medically necessary air transport.
“Given Kauaʻi’s geography, there are times when air medical transport isn’t just helpful—it’s essential,” Lopez said. “An AMCN membership gives families peace of mind so they can focus on what matters most: getting the right care without worrying about unexpected costs.”
Global Medical Response, Inc. utilizes its subsidiary REACH Air Medical Services LLC, a Part 135, certified air carrier, operating under FAA certificate # JBZA819S, to operate its rotor-wing aircraft in Hawaii under the name Hawaii Life Flight. REACH Air Medical Services LLC maintains operational control of the aircraft at all times.
For more information visit: www.AirMedCareNetwork.com.
“This is a meaningful moment for Kauaʻi,” said Brent Lopez, regional director for Hawaii Life Flight. “Beginning this service with a blessing was an important way to honor the island, its people, and the responsibility that comes with caring for our community.”
On Kauaʻi, reaching advanced medical care can take several hours by ground—time that can critically impact patient outcomes. With the addition of this dedicated medical helicopter, patients can now be transported directly from the point of injury or illness to definitive care, whether at local hospitals or specialized facilities on neighboring islands.
Lopez adds, “This helicopter will dramatically reduce response and transport times and help ensure patients receive the right care, at the right place, as quickly as possible.”
A Community-Driven Milestone
Local hospitals, first responders, and community partners identified the need for a rotor wing resource to complement Kauaʻi’s existing EMS system. Hawaii Life Flight worked closely with those partners to bring this service to life, ensuring it strengthens, rather than replaces, current emergency response capabilities.
“This helicopter is here because the community asked for it,” Lopez said. “Our role is to support local responders and expand the island’s ability to care for patients when minutes truly matter.”
Hawaii Life Flight, part of Global Medical Response (GMR), already operates a medically equipped fixed wing aircraft on Kauaʻi. The addition of rotor wing service represents a continued investment in the island’s healthcare infrastructure and long-term emergency readiness.
What This Means for Kauaʻi
With the helicopter now in service, Hawaii Life Flight will help:
- Reduce critical transport times by eliminating long ground drives to the airport or between hospitals
- Support interfacility transfers to trauma centers, cardiac catheterization laboratories (cath labs), and specialty care on neighboring islands.
- Preserve availability of local ground EMS crews with the availability of rapid helicopter transport from one side of the island to another.
- Improve access to definitive care from remote or difficult to reach areas of the island where traditional fixed wing aircraft have more limited capabilities.
Hawaii Life Flight participates in the AirMedCare Network (AMCN), which offers memberships designed to eliminate out of pocket costs for emergency air medical transport only when flown by an AMCN provider.
Membership protects all residents of a household for $99 per year, or $79 for seniors, and ensures members do not receive a bill beyond their membership fee for medically necessary air transport.
“Given Kauaʻi’s geography, there are times when air medical transport isn’t just helpful—it’s essential,” Lopez said. “An AMCN membership gives families peace of mind so they can focus on what matters most: getting the right care without worrying about unexpected costs.”
Global Medical Response, Inc. utilizes its subsidiary REACH Air Medical Services LLC, a Part 135, certified air carrier, operating under FAA certificate # JBZA819S, to operate its rotor-wing aircraft in Hawaii under the name Hawaii Life Flight. REACH Air Medical Services LLC maintains operational control of the aircraft at all times.
For more information visit: www.AirMedCareNetwork.com.
