Blue Hawaiian names new executive team, including president and chief executive officer

Blue Hawaiian announced a new senior executive team on Wednesday. Blue Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi’s largest helicopter tour operator and concierge service provider, according to the company.

Jeff Helfrick has joined the Maui-based company as president and chief executive officer. He brings 30 years of experience in the airline and hospitality industries and has lived and worked in Hawaiʻi for the past decade. He joined Blue Hawaiian in March.

Under Helfrick’s leadership, the company plans to integrate its tour helicopter operations with its concierge and activity desk businesses, which operate at more than 30 locations statewide.

“Blue Hawaiian has built an incredible reputation over the past 40 years, and I’m excited to work alongside our talented team as we continue creating memorable experiences for guests throughout Hawaiʻi,” Helfrick said in the announcement.

Myra Galinato was named vice president of commercial operations. Galinato has 25 years of experience in the Hawaiʻi visitor industry and has worked with industry partners on guest experiences related to helicopter tours and concierge-desk activities.

Kyu Yi was appointed vice president of operations. Yi has worked at Blue Hawaiian for nearly 10 years in multiple roles and will oversee guest experience and safety operations at the company’s seven helicopter bases across the state.

Alex Li joins the company as vice president of finance. Li has more than 15 years of finance experience in Hawaiʻi, including previous roles with Outrigger Resorts & Hotels and Hawaiian Airlines, according to the announcement. The company said Li will oversee financial strategy aimed at supporting business growth.

“When people hear Blue Hawaiian, they immediately think of our tour helicopter operation. We have the largest tour helicopter operation in Hawaiʻi – with a fleet of over 20 EcoStar Airbus helicopters that are purpose built for touring,” said Helfrick.  

Company leaders say Blue Hawaiian is the only company with operations across all the major Hawaiian islands, touting an exemplary safety record, with standards recognized by the FAA.

The company’s Blue Hawaiian Activities division began a little over five years ago when a major player left the market.  “Myra Galinato joined the Blue Hawaiian team and built this business into the largest seller of activities in the state. We operate concierge and activities desks at over 30 hotels and provide our activity booking system to several other hotels,” according to Helfrick. 

In most hotel locations the company is not branded as Blue Hawaiian. For example, locations in Outrigger Resorts and Hotels across Hawaiʻi are branded as Outrigger Activities.

“With this new re-organization, we are bringing both sides of our company together as one. By combining our tour helicopter operation and our concierge/activities, we are leveraging the Blue Hawaiian brand’s strong reputation for service, safety, and quality,” said Helfrick.  “It is our goal to create lifelong memories for our guests – whether that be on a helicopter tour seeing Hawaiʻi from above or via one of the many activities we offer. Together, we are a major player in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry. Our concierge are able to help our guests plan exciting itineraries and maximize their time visiting our island home.”