Updated at 11:01 a.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Company offers prayers for pilot lost in Kauai crash
Advertiser Staff
The company that lost a pilot and a plane in a tragic early-morning crash Monday released a statement this morning.The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for Paul Akita, 38, yesterday. Akita's company, Alpine Air, said bad weather resulting from a cold front may have played a role in the crash.
Akita graduated from Everglades University with a B.A. in aviation and joined Alpine Air in July 2004 after flying for Big Kahuna Aviation.
"Paul, in addition to being a first-class individual and pilot is a skilled surfer and surfing instructor," said David Dart, Alpine Hawaii's manager. "Our prayers are with Paul's mom, dad, girlfriend, and loved ones."
