Air Ambulance Provider Sets Timeline for Hawaii Expansion

Life Flight Network expects to launch operations in the state by fall.

Zach Vasile

Friday, June 13, 2025 at 03:58 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A helicopter at Hilo Airport. [Shutterstock/Chris Allan]

Key Takeaways:

Life Flight Network, a major nonprofit air ambulance provider, is expanding its operations to Hawaii's Big Island later this year with three new bases.
The expansion includes a $27 million investment, supplemented by $15 million from a local foundation, for aircraft acquisition and new facilities.
This initiative aims to improve access to timely, high-quality emergency medical transportation services for residents, especially for inter-island and hospital transfers.

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Oregon-based nonprofit air ambulance provider Life Flight Network will start operations in Hawaii later this year.

The organization announced plans in March to set up bases on Hawaii’s Big Island in collaboration with the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, which provides equipment and training to the island’s fire department. Life Flight Network said Thursday that it will ramp up operations in the fall from bases at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea, Kona Community Hospital in Kona, and Hilo International Airport (KITO).