SPP 12-143 Paradise Helicopters - Laserfiche WebLink

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E Paradise Helicopters Special Permit Application IApplicant's Response: A helicopter stop at Mr. Thompson's home, if permitted by the Commission, would be part of an overall volcano tour with a route that does not differ substantially from any other eruption tour. The only differences involve jogs into Royal Gardens using flight paths that do not affect any additional residences. Paradise Helicopters has stated that it makes every attempt to "fly friendly" and avoid undue impacts to Park visitors, residents, or on-ground resources. Recognizing that the only way to avoid 'impacts altogether is to cease operations, there are still a number of practices that mitigate impacts, including observing minimum altitudes and flying as appropriate and reasonable over unpopulated areas and/or urban areas with existing high Ilevels of noise. In the future, the number, type, routes and hours of operations of tour helicopters visiting the Kilauea East Rift eruption area will be dictated by the final alternative decided upon in the ATMP, which should be completed within the next two years. Some alternatives would prevent use of this airspace by tour helicopters and the tour would not be permissible. Others would allow it, in some cases with route modifications, pilot/visitor education, quieter aircraft, and/or other modifications. Hawaii State Plan The Hawaii State Plan, Chapter 226, HRS, Section 226-6 (Objectives and policies for the economy - in general state "Planning for the State's economy in general shall be directed toward achievement of the following objective": • Increased and diversified employment opportunities to achieve full employment, increased income and job choice, and improved living standards for Hawaii's people. • A steadily growing and diversified economic base that is not overly dependent on a few industries. 19