Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2009 — ON A MISSION TO SAVE LIVES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ON A MISSION TO SAVE LIVES

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ative Hawaiians suffer from a high incidence I K \ of diabetes, respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cancer. With the high cost of heahh care, means of reducing costs must be found. Two such programs are the Hawai'i Air Ambulance/Hawai'i Life Flight Outreach Education Program and the Hawai'i Air Amhulanee/Hawai'i Life Flight Membership Program. The Outreach Education Program is designed to work with hospitals and clinics in providing medical personnel with certified training courses and to help educate the public using the Anierican Heart Association's "Family and Friends First Aid for Children" and "Family and Friends CPR Anytime" programs. The Membership Program is an exclusive air medical transport membership service that waives the member's insurance deductible and co-payment when Hawai'i Air Ambulance/Hawai'i Life Flight provides emergency air transportation between the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawai'i Air Amhulanee/Hawai'i Life Flight Membership Program is perfect for everyone living throughout the Hawaiian Islands and whoever travels between the islands. Affordable, the program is also a perfect gift. Rates as low as $59 a year for a single individual eliminates the insurance co-pay and deductible (medical insurance required for nienibership). Family and senior rates are also available, lowering the cost even further. So, if you or a family member suffer an accident or have a serious medical problem and need to be transferred to a medical facihty on another island, Hawai'i Air Ambulance/Hawai'i Life Flight will transport you in a modern medically equipped and professionally staffed aircraft, and as a member, there would be

no out-of-pocket expenses for the flight. Hawai'i Air Ambulance has been serving the people of Hawai'i, providing air ambulances services for 30 years. Since coming under new ownership and management, Hawai'i Air Amhulanee/ Hawai'i Life Flight has expanded the fixed-wing King Air C90B fleet. These aircraft are based in Līhu'e, Kahului, Hilo and Kamuela, and with the addition of a new EC 135 helicopter, based in Kona, this brings the fleet to six aircraft and active bases to five. Basing these aircraft in close proximity to main hospitals on the different islands reduces wait times resulting in the best possible outcomes. For information about HAA/HLF services, Outreach Education or about the Hawai'i Air Ambulanee Membership Program, eall 808-833-2270. ■ Lesīie Lam, a member ofthe Native Hawaiian Chamber ofCommerce, is the director ofbusiness deveīopment at Hawaii Air Amhulanee/Hawai'i. Life Fīight.

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