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Frequently Asked Questions

Home » About us » Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I book a trip?
  2. Do you make a video of our actual flight and how long is it?
  3. What should we wear?
  4. Do you recommend taking an anti-motion sickness medication?
  5. When is the best time to fly?
  6. How much experience do your pilots have?
  7. How long has Blue Hawaiian been in business?
  8. Does Blue Hawaiian offer flights that are not primarily for scenic viewing?
  9. What are your hours of operation?
  10. Are we going to see lava?
  11. Will we be the only ones in the helicopter? How is seating arranged?
  12. Are we guaranteed to see all of the sights mentioned in your tour descriptions?
How can I book a trip?
Choose the one you are interested in and complete the booking form on this website or call us at the numbers listed on the home page. We are available to discuss your schedule and options during our normal business hours; 7 AM - 10PM Hawaii Standard Time.
Do you make a video of our actual flight and how long is it?
Every flight is captured on a high quality DVD. Each helicopter is equipped with four cameras; three external and one in the cabin. The video recording begins during the boarding process. You'll most likely see yourself as you approach the aircraft for boarding. To orchestrate the most interesting video, the pilot chooses between the forward, side or internal camera as the flight progresses. The cabin camera, for example, usually shows you right after lift-off as it is so much fun to capture our guests expressions of amazement. The recording is continuous until landing and includes digital quality music and all the pilot's narration (music has been chosen to complement the changing scenery). The video is available for purchase right after you return from your flight.
What should we wear?
The helicopters are temperature controlled so dress comfortably. If you plan to take photographs we recommend darker colors to reduce any window reflections. If your flight includes a landing at higher elevations bring a sweater in case it's chilly. Hats are not allowed to be worn around the helicopters as they can fly up into the rotors and damage the aircraft. We will be happy to hold any hats for you until you return from your tour.
Do you recommend taking an anti-motion sickness medication?
If you are particularly prone to motion sickness an anti-motion sickness medication is a good idea. Our flights are very smooth and turns are slow and gentle. This is a scenic tour, not a thrill ride. Most people do not experience motion sickness and do not need an anti-motion sickness medication.
When is the best time to fly?
We suggest that you book your helicopter flight prior to arrival in Hawaii. This assures you of a tour time that fits into your vacation plans. It is wise to book a tour early in your stay, that way if your pilot determines that weather conditions on a particular day are not optimal for a tour, you will have some options for re-scheduling. As far as the best time of day for a helicopter tour you should consider your personal schedule. Most of the time we are blessed with beautiful weather in Hawaii and the time of day, whether it be morning or afternoon, will make no difference. If we happen to have a rainy weather pattern the pilot will consult weather reports and other pilots who have been flying to determine if we can give you a good tour. Blue Hawaiian does not want to take our guests on a flight unless we are reasonably certain we can give you an excellent experience.
How much experience do your pilots have?
All pilots for Blue Hawaiian Helicopters are highly experienced. We believe that this is the most experienced group of helicopter tour pilots anywhere in the world. Specific information on each of our pilots is listed under the Top Notch Staff section of our website.
How long has Blue Hawaiian been in business?
The company began as South Sea Helicopters on Kauai in 1982. In 1985, David Chevalier instituted an employee buy-out and took over the Maui operation. The company name was changed to Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in 1989 and is now the largest helicopter tour operator in the State of Hawaii with bases on Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.
Does Blue Hawaiian offer flights that are not primarily for scenic viewing?
Yes. We are a charter company. We also offer transportation to golfers, hikers, and travelers who may have limited time or who want to visit lesser-traveled areas. We will fly you where you want to go, at whatever time you prefer, provided our equipment and personnel are available. We are a Department of Defense, Office of Aviation Certified air carrier and can provide services to the United States Government. We also provide utility services, such as external load, firefighting, search and rescue and powerline patrol.
What are your hours of operation?
We open for business at 7:00 am each day and close at 10:00 pm, Hawaii Standard Time. Note that Hawaii time does not change with 'Daylight Savings Time'. We are 2 hours earlier than Pacific Standard Time,(9:00 AM in California it is 7:00 AM in Hawaii). Except, Hawaii is 3 hours earlier than Pacific Daylight Time, (during Daylight Savings Time 9:00 AM in California is 6:00 AM in Hawaii).
Are we going to see lava?
Your only chance of seeing flowing lava is on the Big Island of Hawaii during that portion of your flight over Volcano's National Park. Odds are good that you will see flowing lava but no particular sight can be guaranteed. Routes and times vary with wind, weather and volcanic activity changes hourly.
Will we be the only ones in the helicopter? How is seating arranged?
Unless you charter the complete helicopter you will be sharing the flight with other guests. Flights from Maui or Waikoloa have the choice of an Astar or an EcoStar. There is a comparison seating diagram for these aircraft available on each individual Tour page for those locations. Flights from Kauai utilize the EcoStar exclusively and flights from Hilo utilize the Astar exclusively. We try to seat couples and families side by side as much as possible. We cannot guarantee particular seating as it is often dictated by our FAA approved ‘weight and balance’ program. Visibility for each seat is excellent as there are no cabin partitions which would block part of the view, as is the case on other types of helicopters.
Are we guaranteed to see all of the sights mentioned in your tour descriptions?

The points of interest mentioned in our tour descriptions are highlights of the tour, which we will endeavor to show you depending on wind and weather. In Hawaii, areas of volcanic activity are constantly shifting, as are the areas of waterfalls. Each tour is unique in that we'll show you the best currently available scenery while also trying to accommodate all of your special requests within the generally allotted time.