Hawaii health official killed in plane crash

A top Hawaii health official died Wednesday after a small plane she was on crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the island of Molokai. 

KHON-TV reported that Hawaii Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy died when the Makani Kai Cessna Grand Caravan crashed half a mile off the north shore of Molokai. Fuddy was one of eight passengers on board the plane in addition to the pilot, and the only one who did not survive. 

The plane took off at approximately 3:35 p.m. Wednesday from the Kalaupapa Peninsula bound for Honolulu. In addition to Fuddy, the department's deputy director, Keith Yamamoto, was also booked on the flight, department spokeswoman Janice Okubo told the Associated Press.

Makani Kai Air has said that the pilot did not make any radio calls indicating that he was in trouble before the crash. Another pilot spotted the wreckage and survivors wearing life vests and called in the details to the Molokai Airport tower

"They rescued eight people who got out of the plane. Difficult conditions as it was offshore in the water a couple hours before dark," Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig told KHON. Seelig added that one body was found in the fuselage of the plane. 

Coast Guard Petty Officer Melissa McKenzie said a Coast Guard helicopter rescued 3 passengers out of the water and Maui fire crews picked up five people. One person swam ashore.

McKenzie said the helicopter brought three people to Honolulu for medical treatment, while a Coast Guard plane took five people to Maui.

Fuddy and Yamamoto were at Kalaupapa for an annual visit, Okubo said. Hawaii once exiled people with leprosy, or Hansen's disease to Kalaupapa from 1866 through 1969.

The remote peninsula on the north side of Molokai island is still a leprosy settlement run by the state Health Department, though only a few former leprosy patients continue to live there. Kalaupapa is also home to a national park.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Click for more from KHON2.com

http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/WjGCNoxZaWw/