Kauai Police Headquarters received the report of the incident around 1:20 p.m. local time Thursday, Kauai County said in a news release posted on its Facebook page, adding that an Alii Kauai Air Tours and Charters helicopter was involved in the crash, Xinhua news agency reported.
The news release says multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Kauai Police Department, Kauai Fire Department and Kauai Emergency Management Agency, responded to the incident.
According to a preliminary report, hikers hiking a coastal trail witnessed the helicopter crash into the water and reported the incident to the operator.
Authorities said one person was recovered at approximately 2:25 p.m. local time and death confirmed. Multiple agencies are continuing a search and recovery operation for the other two on board.
"Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. We will continue to work with our partners to locate missing people and provide them with support during this difficult time," Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck said in the news release, and He added: "Our multi-agency response remains focused on search and recovery efforts."
Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said, "While we do not know all of the details surrounding the incident at this time, we do know that our first responders are doing everything they can in this emergency operation."
Nicknamed "The Garden Island," Kauai is the oldest of all the main Hawaiian islands and one of the most visited islands in the Hawaiian archipelago.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the helicopter involved in the accident is a Robinson R44.
According to the Alii Kauai Air Tours and Charters website, the Robinson R44 is a four-seat light helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company since 1992 and has been the best-selling general aviation helicopter in the world every year since 1999.
Alii Kauai Air Tours and Charters said it is "the only Hawaiian owned and operated air travel company on Kauai" and has "over 32 years of flying experience on the Hawaiian Island."
The news release says multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Kauai Police Department, Kauai Fire Department and Kauai Emergency Management Agency, responded to the incident.
According to a preliminary report, hikers hiking a coastal trail witnessed the helicopter crash into the water and reported the incident to the operator.
Authorities said one person was recovered at approximately 2:25 p.m. local time and death confirmed. Multiple agencies are continuing a search and recovery operation for the other two on board.
"Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. We will continue to work with our partners to locate missing people and provide them with support during this difficult time," Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck said in the news release, and He added: "Our multi-agency response remains focused on search and recovery efforts."
Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said, "While we do not know all of the details surrounding the incident at this time, we do know that our first responders are doing everything they can in this emergency operation."
Nicknamed "The Garden Island," Kauai is the oldest of all the main Hawaiian islands and one of the most visited islands in the Hawaiian archipelago.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the helicopter involved in the accident is a Robinson R44.
According to the Alii Kauai Air Tours and Charters website, the Robinson R44 is a four-seat light helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company since 1992 and has been the best-selling general aviation helicopter in the world every year since 1999.
Alii Kauai Air Tours and Charters said it is "the only Hawaiian owned and operated air travel company on Kauai" and has "over 32 years of flying experience on the Hawaiian Island."