Inspired and forever grateful to Hawaiʻi Island firefighters, Dr. Frank Sayre and wife, Laura Mallery-Sayre, created the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation in 1997 to raise much-needed supplemental funding for Hawaiʻi County Fire Department’s 22 stations, specifically for the purchase of equipment and training.
The foundation, named in memory of their only son, Dan, who lost his life in a hiking accident at Pololū Valley early that year, was established to honor the firefighters who selflessly risked their own lives during the lengthy and difficult rescue—ultimately recovery—mission.
What began with the couple’s $3,000 personal donation to purchase the longer, specialty ropes that would have made the recovery effort both easier and safer for the rescuers has evolved into a non-profit charity that continues to expand on its mission: “Helping to Save Lives.” More than $40 million has been raised since its inception, with volunteers Frank, president, and Laura, executive director, leading the way.
“When we began, we quickly learned the need was so much bigger than we initially thought. At the time, 94 percent of the department’s budget was going toward personnel costs; there was very little left for the needs of the rescue teams,” Laura says.
She credits the generosity of the foundation supporters’ donations and the grant-writing skills of Hawaiʻi Fire Department Chief Kazuo Todd for the progress that’s been made and continues to be made to fill the annual monetary shortfall.
In addition to its fundraising efforts (silent and live auctions at the Awards Ceremony dinner event at the Fairmont Orchid each September and an annual appeal campaign), Laura says they are fortunate to have some very generous partners.
“These individuals truly care about our island community and are invested in ensuring lives and properties are safe. Together, we are making a difference, and we will never give up,” she says.
To date, the millions raised have financed the purchase of essential department equipment, including more than a dozen fire trucks, ATVs, rescue boats, jet skis and a helicopter. Training has included operation procedures for new watercraft and structure collapse rescue techniques, according to Frank.
“We live on a seismically active volcanic island, so the structure collapse training is critical. The foundation recently sponsored a group of rescue team members from the County Fire Department to attend a course offered by NASA in California. What they learned there is now being shared with their colleagues here,” he says.
Most recently, Laura says, the foundation’s partner benefactors came together once again, funding a second helicopter—a $14 million state-of-the-art aircraft in just two days by tapping into their broad network of connections. The new Airbus H145 medevac helicopter is on order, with delivery expected in July 2026. Basically, a flying ICU unit, Laura says, it will be equipped for interisland EMS transport, night vision operation, search-and-rescue, and firefighting in support of the county’s existing H125.
Funding the helicopter was just the first step; determining who would provide optimal operation with a trained crew and medical staff required months of diligent research and meetings with a number of air ambulance groups.
“We were looking for a like-minded partner, with impeccable safety records, a proactive approach to risk management and a commitment to provide educational opportunities for local residents pursuing careers in the air medical service field,” Laura says.
Earlier this year, the Portland-based Life Flight Network, the nation’s largest not-for-profit air medical provider delivering world-class ICU-level care and transport for 47 years, was chosen to fill that role.
“Ensuring access to emergency medical care is crucial, particularly in rural communities where distance and terrain pose significant challenges,” Ben Clayton, Life Flight Network’s chief executive officer, says.
The Airbus H145, Laura says, will be based on Hawaiʻi Island—not Oʻahu—together with its flight crew and medical team, saving even more time when every minute counts.
“Frank and I started this foundation, but it’s truly not our foundation; it’s the community’s. We have so much gratitude for everyone’s support,” Laura says.
To learn more and donate, go to DanielSayreFoundation.org.