Maui Police Launch Multi Mission BK117 Helicopter for Enhanced Public Safety

The Maui Police air unit has begun service with a BK117 named Hekili, adding twin engine power, advanced search technology, and wildfire response tools to county wide public safety. This aircraft provides officers and partners a fast lift to remote terrain and a stable platform for lifesaving missions day or night.

The Multi Mission Capabilities of the BK117 Platform

The BK117 platform offers the new unit a balanced mix of power, reliability, and cabin space. It can lift teams and gear swiftly, maintain a steady hover for hoist work, and cruise efficiently between islands or across the slopes of Haleakala. The department configured Hekili as a true multi mission aircraft, with features selected for search, rescue, and law enforcement support.

• Twin engines for power and safety redundancy, allowing continued flight on one engine if required.
• A certified rescue hoist with human external cargo approval for faster extractions that reduce crew exposure during critical operations.
• Seating for up to ten personnel, enabling rapid transport of specialized teams to remote areas.
• Wildfire support through a 250 gal external bucket for initial attack water drops.
• A Trakka suite that combines a high intensity searchlight, an infrared capable camera, and a mission mapping system with real time video integration.
• Night operations with night vision goggles supported by a Garmin G500H cockpit and synthetic vision for greater situational awareness after dark.

A Force Multiplier for County Wide Safety

For years Maui Police relied on the Maui Fire aircraft Air One for aerial support when the mission and weather allowed. That model worked for some calls yet left police without guaranteed access when Air One was committed to a wildfire or a medical response.

The new aircraft corrects that gap. The department can now launch on demand to search for missing people, support ground units during pursuits, or move teams quickly to a remote coastline or ridge while still coordinating closely with fire crews.

The Blessing and Naming of Hekili

The department introduced Hekili during a blessing at the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex with county leaders, officers, and community partners in attendance. The name means thunder in Hawaiian and reflects strength and resolve in service to the people of Maui County. The event underscored how the aircraft serves not only the police mission but the wider public safety community across the islands.

Technical Advantages for Police and Rescue Work

The BK117 descends from a collaboration between leading aerospace teams and has earned a reputation as a durable twin for rescue and law enforcement. Its four blade main rotor and tail rotor provide precise control for confined area approaches and off site landings. The clamshell rear doors on many examples simplify loading of litters and equipment.

The airframe also accepts a broad range of mission kits, from cargo hooks and hoists to advanced sensor turrets and downlink antennas. Those qualities give Maui Police a flexible tool that can shift from a search pattern over rugged gulches to a precision hoist along a sea cliff without reconfiguring the cabin.

Enhancing Response in These High Priority Situations

Search and rescue in mountains and along coastlines

With night vision imaging, infrared sensing, and a synchronized mapping suite, crews can sweep large areas quickly and then transition to a precise hoist when a subject is located. The ability to fly with goggles and synthetic vision safeguards crews after sunset or during marginal visibility, enabling time critical rescues that previously may have required daylight or multiple agencies.

Rapid support to ground units

The Maui Police air unit can launch to provide overwatch on dynamic scenes, guide officers into position, and coordinate responses across multiple districts. A stabilized camera with optical and infrared zoom gives the tactical flight officer a wide search view and a tight detail view as needed. Real time video and mapping enhance the common operating picture for command and field supervisors, speeding decisions that keep the public and officers safe.

Wildfire initial attack and disaster response

When conditions allow safe flight, the bucket on Hekili can deliver targeted water drops to slow a start while ground crews move into place. A second aircraft in the county fleet means fire leaders can consider paired operations where police crews assist during the earliest minutes and then transition to search, evacuation escort, or perimeter checks as the incident evolves.

Building on Lessons Learned from Past Emergencies

The Lahaina wildfire on August 8th, 2023 became the state benchmark for complex emergency management and interagency coordination. After action reviews and department reflections emphasized the need for better air support, stronger communications, and faster multi agency integration. The Maui Police air unit answers those findings with a dedicated platform that can move quickly and share information in real time with police, fire, and county leadership.

A Long Term Vision for Aviation in Public Safety

With the first aircraft in service, the focus now shifts to procedures, data, and partnerships. Leaders will track critical metrics like mission response times, search detection rates, and the effectiveness of initial water drops on small fires to guide future budgets and potential expansion.

Concurrently, interagency drills with fire and federal partners will refine essential tactics, focusing on communications, handoff procedures, and complex rescue scenarios. Each exercise builds a cohesive team prepared to work together seamlessly when the next crisis arrives.

A New Chapter in Island Safety and Resilience

The introduction of the Hekili helicopter marks a transformative advancement for public safety across Maui County. By integrating this dedicated, multi mission air unit, the Maui Police Department has not only addressed critical gaps identified in past emergencies but has also forged a powerful new tool for proactive response.

This investment empowers officers to protect the community with greater speed, awareness, and capability, both day and night, ultimately building a stronger, more resilient future for all who call the islands home.