Life Flight Network expands emergency air medical services to Hawaii Island

New helicopter bases in Kona and Hilo aim to improve access to critical care for island residents.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical transport provider, has expanded its emergency services to Hawaii Island. After being approached by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, Life Flight Network established three new helicopter bases on the island - in Kona and Hilo, which opened in November 2025, and a third planned for Waimea later this year. In just three months, the teams have already transported over 140 patients in need of critical care.

Why it matters

The expansion of Life Flight Network's services to Hawaii Island aims to improve access to emergency medical care and transport for residents, especially in time-sensitive situations like heart attacks, strokes, and traumatic injuries where rapid intervention is crucial. The not-for-profit organization's commitment to the community involves working with local hospitals, EMS, and other partners to strengthen the overall healthcare safety net on the island.

The details

Life Flight Network, founded in 1978 in Portland, Oregon, is a not-for-profit air medical transport provider that serves over 15 million people across several western states. The organization was approached by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to bring its lifesaving services to Hawaii Island. After listening to local stakeholders, Life Flight Network committed to establishing three helicopter bases on the island - two that opened in November 2025 in Kona and Hilo, and a third planned for Waimea later this year. This expanded access is critical, as one aircraft alone would not have met the community's needs.

  • Life Flight Network began providing emergency air medical care on Hawaii Island on November 7, 2025.
  • In just three months, Life Flight Network's teams have already transported more than 140 patients in need of critical care.

The players

Life Flight Network

A not-for-profit air medical transport provider that serves over 15 million people across several western states, including now Hawaii Island.

Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation

A foundation that approached Life Flight Network about bringing its lifesaving services to Hawaii Island and helped fund a new Airbus H145 helicopter for the organization.

Dr. Frank Sayre

The leader of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation.

Laura Mallery-Sayre

The leader of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“At its core, access comes down to capacity — having the resources in place to respond quickly and get people the care they need and deserve. That's why we're committed to working with the community to strengthen local health care capacity, expand access to care, and ultimately bring more hope to families across the island.”

— Ben Clayton, Chief Executive Officer, Life Flight Network

What’s next

Life Flight Network plans to open a third helicopter base in Waimea later this year to further expand access to emergency air medical services on Hawaii Island.

The takeaway

The expansion of Life Flight Network's critical care transport services to Hawaii Island represents a significant investment and commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for island residents, especially in time-sensitive emergency situations. This public-private partnership with the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation demonstrates how collaboration can strengthen the local healthcare safety net.