Airports

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training at OGG

By: Shelly Kunishige Photo: OGG ARFF

Do you ever see notices on fire training exercises at Maui International Airport (OGG) and wonder why they are so frequent? Annual training to put out a live fire is one of many requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration Part 139 certification needed for almost all airports.

The OGG fire pit allows Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighters (ARFF) at smaller airports to do this training safely. On May 27, Lanai Airport (LNY) ARFF B shift conducted their annual training.

Following the exercise, the LNY ARFF and Maui Fire Department (MFD) Tanker #8 showed their support and aloha for Lanai High School

graduating seniors by doing a surprise water lei.

“MFD and LNY ARFF strive to be a positive and integral part of our community as the community members have always been highly supportive of us,” said Kainoa Liu.

Captain Guy Desilva, George Purdy, and Kainoa Liu worked to put out the practice burn.

New Face at Airports - Noelani Ortiz, AIR-K

Welcome Noelani Ortiz to our DOT ‘ohana as she joins AIR-K as their new Airport Operations Controller II. My father was a career Marine who instilled teamwork, personal accountability, humility and confidence in not only myself, but everyone he has had the pleasure of directing. I have used these skills and succeeded and excelled my past endeavors.

interested in?

What aspect of my new role am I most

Working on the frontline and now on the operations side of things, it’s quite interesting and it keeps me on my toes. I’ve got ants in my pants, sometimes I can’t keep still. So for me to run from one side of the terminal to the next, I love it and I don’t mind at all.

Where is your most treasured travel destination and why?

There is no place like home. I would be content here on Kaua`i if I couldn’t travel. We live in the most sought after destination in the world.

I’d choose Iceland. Snow covered volcanoes, glaciers, terrain and rock formations unlike any other in the world. I would love to observe the Aurora Borealis and stargaze from up there and maybe enjoy a hot spring or two.

Airports

KOA’s FIS Starting to Take Shape

The Federal Inspection Services (FIS) building is coming along nicely at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. International passengers can start their new adventure by posting selfies at KOA, the airport code or location identifier, posted at the FIS which is slated for completion sometime later in August or early September. With the easing of the pandemic, mainland and interisland visitors have already made their way to our islands.

Airline carriers have been adding more flights to accommodate the growing need for visitors coming to the islands.

International flights will tentatively return sometime soon after the FIS opening. Click here for the latest information on visiting Hawaii.

By: Rae Nguyen Photos: Cy Duvauchelle