3 Recognized on Maui for Using AED to Save Visitor’s Life

Two Island Air flight attendants and an off-duty Moloka‘i police officer were recognized by Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa for recently coming to the aid of a woman in need of medical attention. Mayor Arakawa honored the three individuals as he declared June 1-7, 2017 as “CPR / AED Awareness Week” to highlight the importance of learning how to properly administer CPR and use an automated external defibrillator to save lives.

Mayor Arakawa hands a Certificate of Recognition to Island Air flight attendant Wendy Nakamura-Chan, with
flight attendant Shanay Coloma and Maui Police officer Kyle “Ikaika” Bishaw-Juario in the background. PC: Ryan Piros/Maui County

On March 6, 2017, Island Air flight attendants Wendy Nakamura-Chan and Shanay Coloma witnessed a medical emergency at the Honolulu International Airport Commuter Terminal.

The two flight attendants, who were on reserve assignment at the time, immediately responded when a 50-year-old female passenger became unconscious and unresponsive.

With the assistance of Kyle “Ikaika” Bishaw-Juario, an off-duty police officer from Moloka‘i who was waiting to board a flight, Nakamura-Chan and Coloma used an automated external defibrillator located in the terminal to revive the passenger.

The woman regained consciousness and was taken to a nearby hospital for further examination. She was released from the hospital and was able to continue her family vacation on Maui the following day.

Image courtesy Island Air.

“Island Air flight attendants Wendy Nakamura-Chan and Shanay Coloma and Officer Bishaw-Juario exhibited true compassion and aloha when they came to the aid of a stranger,” said Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, who presented the three individuals with letters of commendation. “Their quick action highlights the importance of being trained in lifesaving skills such as CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators, when seconds matter and lives are at stake.”

“Wendy and Shanay, with the assistance of officer Bishaw-Juario, instinctively responded to a critical situation and assisted a passenger in need using the skills they had learned in their flight attendant training,” said David Uchiyama, Island Air president and CEO. “These three individuals demonstrated teamwork and critical thinking in rendering aid to someone in need.”