Building a Helicopter Company on Maui

Eli Alexander worked for the Hughes Tool Company (AKA Hughes Aircraft Company) for over 30 years. He was a constant companion of Howard Hughes and assisted in the development of the "Flying Boat", the Hughes Helicopter, and many other pioneering craft. After completing the work for the Apollo moonshot, Eli rejoined Hughes, where he developed the Hughes 500 Helicopter as a highly maneuverable and fast observation helicopter to have law enforcement, rescue, sightseeing and executive transportation applications.

	Meantime (also at Hughes), Eli’s son, Steve, had gained notoriety as a wizard of electrical systems. In 1971, Eli and Steve started a father and son aviation business in Torrence, California. Some 20 years later, that father and son aviation business had grown to 2 aviation endeavors, California & Hawaii. Eli is now retired in Southern California. His son Steve and wife, Shelly run the flightseeing operations in Maui, Hawaii with true Aloha. Showing visitors the beauty of Maui, as they glide effortlessly above valleys, canyons, rainforests, black sand beaches and remote waterfalls has become a source of pure enjoyment for the Alexanders. They love what they do because they see it in the faces of visitors every day, after their guests step off the helicopter and back into the heliport, “that look is worth a thousand words”, says Steve. By doing what we know best, we’re sharing a great gift with everyone coming to Maui.
Hughes 500 Helicopter


Steve Alexander with wife Shelly and parents Eli and Loretta.