Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 18
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure
OGG Tower switched Aircraft X to sector 10/09 combined and they were already talking to Aircraft Y. Aircraft X was head on with Aircraft Y. I asked Aircraft X if OGG Tower told him about the traffic. Aircraft X stated he did not get any traffic information on the opposite direction helicopter from OGG Tower. In the past; I had asked [my] supervisor about OGG Tower switching aircraft to R9/10; and he stated that we (the R9/R10 controller) should not touch the aircraft; since OGG Tower has worked out separation; if they have switched the aircraft. I always remember this statement; and I don't touch aircraft if they are head on. I called OGG Tower; and he told me I could climb the Aircraft X; but the conflict alert had already gone off. I don't believe OGG Tower is separating aircraft correctly. This seemed to be an event that could have been avoided; if OGG Tower just kept the aircraft longer; or gave a traffic call; or coordinated with the R9/R10 controller.First; R9/R10 needs to be split and not combined at all times. There is too much traffic at R9/R10 and the complexity of traffic becomes great with the amount of VFR traffic in the area. There was almost a midair years ago at OGG Tower; and from my understanding; the NTSB made the recommendation that R9 & R10 needed to be split at peak times. If that is true; why is this sector now combined? The complexity is still there; the traffic is greater now than at the time of that incident; and we have management now who is not even certified on the sector to help in times of crisis.OGG Tower needs to have a better procedure to handle separation of aircraft. OGG Tower just switching a head on aircraft with opposite direction traffic that he is talking to is totally unsafe and inappropriate. Safety really needs to be addressed. I feel the current procedures are unsafe; and I fear a catastrophic incident may occur.
HCF Controller reported an opposite direction airborne conflict that was set up by the tower.