Council approves $250,000 grant to help buy new medevac helicopter after private fundraising

The Hawaii County Council approved Resolution 281 on Dec. 8 to provide $250,000 to the Sayer Foundation to assist with purchase of a new medevac helicopter for the Hawaii Fire Department.

Laura Mallory Sayer told the council the foundation had raised about $4.75 million toward the roughly $4.85–$4.9 million price for a medically equipped helicopter. "We are short $250,000 of the $5,000,000 that we need to lease the new chopper for 10 years," she said, asking for council support to bridge the gap.

Fire Chief described the department’s need for a replacement aircraft, noting the existing helicopter is nearly three decades old. Chief said the department’s budget does not include an outright purchase and that the Sayer Foundation’s work made the accelerated purchase possible. Finance Director Diana Sacco explained the county could front money from the fire budget and later recoup proceeds when the current helicopter is sold and through an expected budget amendment.

Councilmembers praised the Sayers and private donors for fundraising and discussed mechanics of the transaction: whether the county would purchase directly or grant funds to the foundation, timing to avoid anticipated price increases, and how the county would temporarily cover funds until sale proceeds return to the treasury. Several members asked for clarity on the appropriation and accounting, and Sacco said a budget amendment would be filed after the new year to make the accounting adjustments.

The resolution passed unanimously; council also voted to waive the five-day hold to expedite the transaction. Council members described the purchase as a public–private partnership that would improve medevac safety and service on the island.

Next steps: Finance will prepare a budget amendment to formalize the appropriation and accounting, and the department will coordinate timing to purchase before expected price increases.