PRINCEVILLE, Kaua'i — William Joseph "Helicopter Joe" Sulak came to Kaua'i four years ago to escape the hectic life of an air ambulance helicopter pilot.

He wanted to relax and enjoy nature while still doing what he loved, friends said. He took a job as a tour helicopter pilot, taking visitors from around the globe on a one-hour tour of some of the most beautiful scenery in the Islands. It was a job he loved, and one he excelled at, soon becoming one of the most popular pilots at Heli USA on Kaua'i.

Before long, Sulak was a fixture in Princeville, where he was known as Helicopter Joe. As news of Sulak's death hit the town yesterday, friends expressed shock and grief. Near the accident site, someone left a Bible, a teddy bear and flowers. At the Heli USA headquarters in Princeville, next to the crash scene, the flag flew at half-staff.

"It seems like it's always the good ones that go," said Jim Boulton, who lived next door to Sulak on Victoria Loop. The two struck up a friendship two years ago. Though both had served in Vietnam, they preferred to talk about nature — not war stories.

"I guess now he's flying with the angels," Boulton said.

Sulak and three passengers were killed when the A-Star helicopter crash-landed near the runway at Princeville Airport on Thursday afternoon. Three other passengers were critically injured. The tangled remains of the chopper were under police guard yesterday, preventing mourners from stopping along Kuhio Highway to leave mementos.

REMEMBRANCES POUR IN

On The Advertiser's online message board yesterday, dozens of friends and tourists who had come to know Sulak during their hour with him in the sky wrote in with condolences and memories.

His family, too, wrote in — sending their prayers to the families of the other victims of the crash and asking for any clues about the last moments of the deadly flight.

"I know in my heart my dad did everything he could to land safely," wrote Sulak's daughter, Carrie. "I am deeply heartbroken for the families of loved ones that were lost and I pray for a quick recovery for the survivors. I would embrace the opportunity to speak with them at a time when they are feeling better.

"I just need to know what happened."

Susan Sulak said her brother loved to fly, and loved to share the experience of flight with others. She also wrote, "To the families who lost loved ones on the flight, I feel your pain. I have no doubt in my mind he did what he could to save your loved ones."

Joseph Sulak learned to fly helicopters in Vietnam. At 19, he joined the Army, figuring he would be drafted anyway. Later in life, Sulak flew critical patients to hospitals, saving hundreds of lives in the process.

The day before the crash, Sulak told three women clients from the East Coast his life story in one hour.

He also bragged about his kids, while gently wafting the tourists over the sights of Kaua'i.

THE DAY BEFORE

Those women — visitors Gini Wittorff, Bette Conroy and Donna Hermann — showed up at the Princeville Airport yesterday, nearly in tears as they inquired about delivering a card to Heli USA to be forwarded to Sulak's children. They wanted Sulak's kids to know their dad had been boasting about them the day before he died.

"We were so surprised and horrified that this happened," Conroy said.

The three paid a total of $240 for the flight, and sat in the back seat of the chopper. They were joined by a couple who sat in the two front seats flanking Sulak.

Over the course of the flight, Sulak talked about his flying career, his divorce and the accomplishments of his children. In short, Sulak gave them a great, memorable flight.

They called him compassionate and personable.

"It was a wonderful tour," Hermann said. "He seemed like a very competent pilot."

But when they saw news reports about the crash, their hearts sank.

They were almost certain it couldn't have been Sulak flying the craft. "I just couldn't believe it when they said Helicopter Joe," Hermann said. Wittorff quickly added, "I think all of us felt like somebody had punched us in the stomach."

And then Wittorff had another thought:

"We were one day away from being on that helicopter" that crashed, she said.

SUNSET AND LONGHORNS

Others who had flown with Sulak throughout his long career also posted messages yesterday, saying Sulak was a top-notch, natural flier.

Bill May of Florida said he flew with Sulak in Vietnam. "Joe was absolutely one of the best," May wrote. "I would have trusted my family with him anytime."

Linda Lichty said she worked with Sulak at the Med Center LifeFlight program in California. "I trusted him fully every time I flew with him, knowing I was in great hands," said Lichty, of Auburn, Calif. "I have only very fond memories of him and enjoyed hearing all of his stories talking about his pride and joy — his kids!"

Bill Malish, who lived across the street from Sulak, said the pilot was originally from Texas. The two became fast friends about a year ago, when Malish hung a Texas Longhorns banner outside his house one day. Malish is originally from Austin.

"He was a kind of quiet guy, just the person you'd say was a great neighbor," Malish said. "I would always see him on his porch, watching the sunset."

As a rain fell on Princeville yesterday, Malish dusted off his Longhorns banner and hung it on his house in honor of Sulak. "He would've like that," Malish said, smiling.

The two-story house in which Sulak was living is leased by Heli USA for new employees arriving on the island. Sulak had lived in the house for three years, serving as a mentor to newcomers. "I'm sure they learned something from him," Boulton said.

'DEAR JOE, WE ALL HAVE TEARS IN OUR EYES'

Excerpts from condolences and comments posted on The Advertiser's Web site in connection with Thursday’s crash:

He may be "Helicopter Joe" to all of you but to me he is my dad! ... My dad loved to fly. He loved saving lives when he flew for Life Flight and he loved entertaining the passengers while touring Kaua'i. He was so smart and funny and his clever little "spiel" always brought laughs. ...

Also, just want to add that I know in my heart my dad did everything he could to land safely. I am so proud of him for at least saving three people, although selfishly I wish he would have saved himself.

I am deeply heartbroken for the families of loved ones that were lost and I pray for a quick recovery for the survivors.

— Carrie Sulak, California

I would like to thank all of you who have taken your time to share your great experiences with my brother. Knowing him, he did his best to make your time with him fun. He loved to fly and sharing that experience with you must have given him great joy.

To the families who lost loved ones on the flight, I feel your pain. ... I have no doubt in my mind he did what he could to save your loved ones.

To you who are blessed to have friends and family who survived, I would really like to hear from you. I don't know why exactly. I guess I just want to know about my brother's last few minutes.

— Susan Sulak, Morgan, Texas

I flew with Joe for several years with the UC Davis Life Flight helicopter. He was professional and experienced. I trusted my life to him every time we got in the ship and I never regretted it. He never took chances. He was one of the safest pilots I ever flew with. He loved to fly and he loved to tell stories.

— Margaret Watson Hopkins, Sacramento, Calif.

I was with Joe Sulak in Vietnam in 1969. One of our crew chiefs, Lonnie Heidke, sent me an e-mail today telling me about the accident. Joe was absolutely one of the best. I would have trusted my family with him anytime, anywhere.

— Bill May, Florida

Almost exactly one year ago we (my sister and I) flew with "Smooth" Joe. It was the highlight of our two-island vacation and he was the epitome of experience and professionalism. I would do it again in a minute. My deepest sympathy to families and friends of the deceased and the residents of Kaua'i. I am very interested to hear the FAA's report and hear the conversation from the "black box."

— Jan, Minnesota

I lived in Hawai'i for two years and pray for the tourists who lost their lives. I feel that all helicopter rides should be banned and all helicopters inspected before more people die. Some people are looking to make a buck off of tourists instead of truly caring about the safety of innocent people.
— Marlo Marie, New York
I am really getting tired of this. Before any tourist gets in a helicopter in Hawai'i they should get detailed listing of all the deaths of tourists in helicopters during the past 10 years. Then they can make an informed choice.

— Brian, Honolulu

Dear Joe, we all have tears in our eyes. I was hoping to fly with you again. I would have flown with you anytime, any day.

— Olivier Gruner, Los Angeles

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.