Pilina Relief - Day 23 - We're still going

September 1, 2023

Happy Aloha Friday everyone,

While I don’t think the FAA is going to grant the request for an extension from us general aviators to continue our humanitarian flights in Maui I’m happy to tell you that the Pilina Relief Project continues. (For clarification we, as general aviators, are still able to fly. We just have to go back to adhering to the parameters of our current licensing.)

Today, Paradise Helicopters loaded up the big Bell 430 and off it went with a LOT of supplies to Maui. I attached a photo of the helicopter so you can see the scale of what we were able to load up today. We’re still in the process of figuring out the details of moving forward. Obviously, Paradise Helicopters, Mokulele Airlines, and Mauna Loa Helicopters all have businesses to run – and previous bookings with the aircraft – but it’s going to come together soon. There are more flights in the works. It looks like we’ll have an aircraft available for donation runs on Monday. I don’t think we’ll be able to get daily flights out like we could with the general aviators but the aircraft we’ll be able to use will have much larger payloads so we’ll be able to get more out with each run.

Some of you have asked about how much we’ve fundraised and how much is left. Many of the pilots haven’t had a chance to get their fuel receipts submitted yet…they’ve been so focused on trying to help get aid in each day. I can tell you that it’s made it easier for everyone to stay focused knowing that there were so many generous people out there trying to help us accomplish our mission. I am happy to report that at the last count, which was almost a week ago, we were over $69,000 in donations. I can’t begin to thank you all enough for your support of our efforts. I know many reading this donated in some form - either in physical or monetary donations or both - but I also know quite a few of you took our ask and made it your mission to reach out to your contacts to help expand our reach. Thank you!!! Not only for helping us raise funds but for your trust in what we were/are doing and your big hearts wanting to help those in need in Maui. I’m so lucky to be connected to such special people!

I hope you all don’t mind me not clogging your inbox every day any longer. Rather than sending out an email every evening I’m thinking 1-2 times a week. I’m sure you’ve noticed that writing/blogging isn’t in my wheelhouse and I want to ensure that if I’m reaching out to you all it’s with something purposeful to say. As of right now, I believe we’ll be flying donations over on Monday so I’ll get an update out then. Of course, if we receive any new requests from the folks in Maui before then I’ll be reaching out. Please do let me know if you no longer wish to get these emails. I promise I won’t be offended. I know we can all get bogged down with emails so I want to be sensitive to that.

How can you help?

Here is the current list of requested donations from the 12 hubs in West Maui:

· Coconut water

· Sunscreen

· Can openers

· 5-gallon water bottles

· Batteries of all kinds

· Pots & Pans

· Baby formula

· Diapers (size 5 or bigger only, please. They have plenty of the smaller sizes)

Paradise Helicopters will be accepting donations of the above-named items. They are located at the Kona airport commuter terminal. Remember, if you want to know what hubs our donations are going to, they are listed on the Pilina Relief page. Please direct anyone you know in West Maui who can use a little something to go to any of those hubs.

Feel free to patronize some of the amazing organizations who are collaborating with us to help: Paradise Helicopters offers amazing tours around most of the major Hawaii Islands, Mauna Loa Helicopter School for those of you who want to learn to hover, Tropicbird Flight Services (fixed wing - that’s airplanes for the non-aviation folks - flight school) where I did my training and Mokulele Airlines (our local island hopper, for those of you not in Hawaii). I’m happy to add Pacific Flight Academy in Honolulu to the list of collaborators. A big mahalo to some local restaurants who have donated pilot meals: Willies Hot Chicken and Taylored Meals. We already all love Punaluu Bake Shop goods but remember to pick up another loaf next time you’re at the market. Same with Lone Palm…I love their alfalfa sprouts on my salads and sandwiches. Grab yourself a bag to support this wonderful farm! Hawaii Farming (grab your keiki cukes next time you’re at Costco) and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council for always wanting to help feed Hawaii. And a continued mahalo to the Hawaii Food Basket for assisting us with the donation collection and for all of the wonderful work they do in feeding the people of Hawaii day in and day out!

Mahalo to you all for staying Hawaii Strong! Maui Strong! Lahaina Strong! Enjoy and have a safe Labor Day Weekend as well!

Dana Asis