Speaker after speaker hailed the emergency helicopter as a much-needed service to the remote areas of the four-island county, including Hana, West Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i.

"We've waited so long," said Mayor Alan Arakawa. "You can't put a dollar amount on a life, and this is about saving lives."

With community members lobbying for the helicopter service for years, Arakawa made it a top priority when he took office last year. He assigned two staff members to lobby the state Legislature for money. Lawmakers agreed, only to see the service delayed for a year in a dispute with Gov. Linda Lingle over liability issues.

When that hurdle was cleared, Maui County and the state each put up $1.2 million to lease the helicopter and pay for operations and maintenance.

The effort came under criticism after some questioned why private air ambulance firms weren't given an opportunity to offer the service for less money. State officials have said those firms will get their chance in the future.

Other problems — including lack of proper paperwork and government approvals, and engine problems that delayed training — pushed back the expected start of the service until now.

"Perhaps it's not perfect, but it's far better than the nothing we had for years," said Mele Carroll, an Arakawa executive assistant who lobbied the Legislature for the air service.

The helicopter, a former emergency helicopter used by the Kaho'olawe cleanup operation, has been named "Haliola," meaning lift up and carry life. The name was given by University of Hawai'i Hawaiian language professor Puakea Nogelmeier.

Yesterday's event also celebrated the advent of 24-hour ambulance service in Kula, a side benefit of the new air service. While the helicopter will be based at the Kahului Heliport, the medics who staff the air ambulance will be stationed at the Kula Fire Station. That will allow for 24-hour ambulance service in Kula when previously it was available only 12 hours a day.

Kula resident Henrietta Chong, who has long sought ambulance service for the Upcountry community, said she couldn't believe this day had finally arrived. Ten years ago, her daughter-in-law died during a medical emergency at a time when the Kula ambulance wasn't on duty.

"Twenty-four-hour ambulance service might have made a difference for her," Chong said. "In the end, God has the final say, but everyone needs immediate medical response."