HI SR123

Urges U.S. Congress, FAA, and Hawaii Department of Transportation to address safety risks and community disruption from tour helicopter and small aircraft operations, citing Hawaii tour operations accounted for nearly 17% of nation-wide aircraft accidents investigated by the NTSB over five years.

Calls for Congress to promptly enact the proposed "Safe and Quiet Skies Act" (H.R. 389), which would prohibit commercial air tours over sensitive locations, mandate automatic dependent surveillance equipment, require minimum altitude and noise restrictions, and authorize state and local governments to impose additional requirements.

Urges FAA to implement outstanding NTSB safety recommendations for commercial aircraft operators, fully implement the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 for Hawaii parks, and investigate whistleblower claims regarding the Honolulu Flight Standards District Office.

References four fatal crashes within a ten-month period (April 2019 to February 2020) killing 23 people, and calls on the Hawaii Air Noise and Safety Task Force to substantively respond to safety concerns with operational changes.

Directs transmission of certified copies to congressional leaders, federal agencies including FAA and NTSB, Hawaii county mayors, neighborhood boards, and task force leadership.