Hawai'i County plans to buy a new $2 million search-and-rescue helicopter to replace its 27-year-old chopper.

Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira says the spending is justified even during the economic downturn because the new helicopter will save money in the long run.

He says refurbishing the old Chopper 1 would cost $800,000, and the aircraft would continue costing more in routine maintenance as it ages.

Only one company submitted a bid to the county to provide the new helicopter.
MD Helicopters of Arizona offered a 2010 MD 500E for $1,992,525. The company would also take the Chopper 1 as a trade-in for $238,000.