By TOM CALLIS
By TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Waikoloa has been put on the map, literally.
The West Hawaii community was added to the Federal Aviation Administration’s flight maps last month, after previously being designated as a settlement.
The town of about 6,300 people now appears as a splotch of yellow much like Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Waimea and other populated areas.
The new designation will not place any additional restrictions on aircraft flying near or above the community, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.
But it could make it more clear to pilots that they need to be mindful of residents there, said state Rep. Cindy Evans.
Evans, D-Kohala, North Kona, recommended that the community be noted on the maps like other towns last year after receiving complaints from Waikoloa residents about low-flying military helicopters shaking homes during a training exercise.
Previously, the maps only contained the word “settlement” for the community and made no reference to its name, boundaries or that a significant amount of people live there, she said.
“They are going to realize it’s a community,” Evans said. “It’s just more information.”
Pohakuloa Training Area supported the request.
Lt. Col. Eric Shwedo, garrison commander, said it was good opportunity to team up.
“The big thing with us is we consider us part of the community and anything that can help out like this, it’s no skin off our back to make something like this happen,” he said.
Samuel Aricayos, PTA flight operations technician, said a conversation about updating the map was “long overdue.”
“They now know that there’s a town area that they need to avoid,” he said.
The new map was issued May 2.
According to the FAA, aircraft must fly at least 1,000 feet above the “highest obstacle” over congested areas.
Those can include a city, town or settlement.
An altitude of 500 feet is required for other areas with a few exceptions.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.