LIHUE, Hawaii – The Hawai‘i National Guard deployed a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to transport critical-care dialysis patients, caregivers and staff from Kaua‘i to O‘ahu on Sept. 10, 2026, following widespread power outages caused by Hurricane Lowell.
Power disruptions left a local dialysis facility unable to operate, making it impossible to treat critical patients on island. While authorities initially planned to transport patients using commercial flights, reoccurring blackouts at the airport disabled Transportation Security Administration screening equipment. The delays inside and outside the terminal forced health officials to seek alternative transport options to prevent vulnerable patients from extended disruptions to their treatment.
Working directly with the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robin Eiland, an aviation liaison assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, assisted a State of Hawai‘i Department of Health representative in submitting a formal request for assistance to mobilize military air assets.
Once approved, the Chinook flew the patients from Līhu‘e Airport directly to the Hawai‘i Army National Guard aviation hangar in Kalaeloa bypassing the airport congestion. Upon landing on O‘ahu, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel met the aircraft and transported the patients directly to local facilities for treatment.
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