KFD responds to more hiker strandings on Kalalau Trail
Kauai Fire Department firefighters airlifted three visitors who were apparently injured from the perilous Kalalau Trail Friday afternoon, leaving four others who were not injured to wait out inclement weather.
First responders received a report of several hikers in distress shortly after 2 :45 p.m. Friday, according to a KFD news release. The department's Rescue 3 team aboard the Air 1 helicopter responded to the incident, along with personnel from the Waimea Fire Station and American Medical Response.
According to a preliminary report, rescuers discovered seven hikers at the Kalalau Trail landing zone. Rescuers made two trips on Air 1 in dicey conditions to transport the three hikers, who are visiting from Berlin, Germany, California and Canada, to a landing zone at Waimea Canyon Athletic Field to awaiting firefighters and AMR personnel. All three declined medical treatment, KFD said.
The four other hikers did not report any injuries and requested to be shuttled out via Air 1. However, due to dangerous conditions and the absence of life-threatening injuries, KFD officials determined Air 1 was not required for these individuals.
State Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement went to the scene to interview the hikers, according to the release. 'The scene was cleared shortly before 5 :15 p.m., ' KFD said.
'Air rescues are complex, and when inclement weather is in the mix, that adds another layer of danger, ' said KFD Chief Michael Gibson in the news release. 'These types of rescues should only be utilized during life-threatening situations. We continue to urge outdoor enthusiasts to avoid hiking during severe weather, as it can put them and our first responders at risk.'
Don 't miss out on what 's happening !
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !
Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.
Kalalau Trail was closed on Friday and remains closed due to the weather. The National Weather Service has forecast wet conditions to persist through the weekend.
on the far side of Hanakapiai Stream after heavy rainfall made stream conditions too dangerous to cross. Firefighters advised the hikers to shelter in place until water levels subsided and all the stranded hikers were able to leave the area by Friday morning safely.
19 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.
Having trouble with comments ? .
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Don't wait: How Hawaiʻi residents can prepare for summer season
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The days are getting longer and the weather is warmer! As we head into the dry summer months, fire officials urge residents to remain vigilant for wildfires. Fire departments statewide are working with different agencies to raise awareness during May — also known as Wildfire Awareness Month. 'Our risk is high,' fire experts warn as summer approaches Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson explained that wildfires can cause 'significant destruction to homes, communities and public spaces.' The department said it is working with KEMA, Kauaʻi Police Department and the mayor's office to improve public alert messaging and incident management team training. As for residents and businesses, Kauaʻi fire officials offered various tips to help protect themselves from possible dead vegetation and other flammable materials, especially if it's within the first five feet of the home Refrain from using invasive grasses as they can overgrow when unmanaged. Instead, consider replanting low-lying, drought-tolerant, native ground cover Flammable materials should be removed from decks, porches, lanai and underneath the house Keep your lawn hydrated and shorter than four inches tall around the home. Do not mow in the day's heat or when the wind blows; never mow in dry vegetation. Have an escape route to a clear area safe from rapid-fire spread. Report possible fires — including signs of smoke or flames — to KPD dispatch and 911 if it's an emergency Large landowners and land stewards who want more guidance are encouraged to attend KFD's wildfire preparedness collaboration meeting in May. Interested attendees should contact KFD Fire Prevention Capt. Kaeo Kinoshita at jkinoshita@ Check out more news from around Hawaii More wildfire prevention tips can also be found on the 'Wildland Fire Action Guide & Safety Tips' tab of KFD's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
KFD responds to more hiker strandings on Kalalau Trail
Kauai Fire Department firefighters airlifted three visitors who were apparently injured from the perilous Kalalau Trail Friday afternoon, leaving four others who were not injured to wait out inclement weather. First responders received a report of several hikers in distress shortly after 2 :45 p.m. Friday, according to a KFD news release. The department's Rescue 3 team aboard the Air 1 helicopter responded to the incident, along with personnel from the Waimea Fire Station and American Medical Response. According to a preliminary report, rescuers discovered seven hikers at the Kalalau Trail landing zone. Rescuers made two trips on Air 1 in dicey conditions to transport the three hikers, who are visiting from Berlin, Germany, California and Canada, to a landing zone at Waimea Canyon Athletic Field to awaiting firefighters and AMR personnel. All three declined medical treatment, KFD said. The four other hikers did not report any injuries and requested to be shuttled out via Air 1. However, due to dangerous conditions and the absence of life-threatening injuries, KFD officials determined Air 1 was not required for these individuals. State Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement went to the scene to interview the hikers, according to the release. 'The scene was cleared shortly before 5 :15 p.m., ' KFD said. 'Air rescues are complex, and when inclement weather is in the mix, that adds another layer of danger, ' said KFD Chief Michael Gibson in the news release. 'These types of rescues should only be utilized during life-threatening situations. We continue to urge outdoor enthusiasts to avoid hiking during severe weather, as it can put them and our first responders at risk.' Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Kalalau Trail was closed on Friday and remains closed due to the weather. The National Weather Service has forecast wet conditions to persist through the weekend. on the far side of Hanakapiai Stream after heavy rainfall made stream conditions too dangerous to cross. Firefighters advised the hikers to shelter in place until water levels subsided and all the stranded hikers were able to leave the area by Friday morning safely. 19 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Kauai firefighters make 2 separate hike rescues Sunday
Kauai firefighters made two separate hike rescues about an hour apart on Sunday afternoon, according to the Kauai Fire Department. Shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, KFD received a report of a woman that had been struck on the head by a falling rock on the Makaleha Falls Trail in Kapaa while hiking, and had become unconscious. KFD launched the Rescue 3 team aboard the Air 1 helicopter and found the injured hiker at the base of the falls. The hiker was unconscious, KFD said, with labored breathing and heavy bleeding from an apparent head wound. She was airlifted to a landing zone, where care was transferred to American Medical Response. Paramedics continued advanced medical treatment on the patient as they took her to Wilcox Medical Center. Shortly after 3 :10 p.m., KFD received another 911 call for an injured hiker on the Kalalau Trail. The hiker, a visitor from Utah, was reported to have suffered a leg injury near mile marker 1.5. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. The same team arrived on scene and found the injured hiker near the landing zone. Two firefighters carried the patient to the helicopter for transport to Princeville Airport, where care was later transferred to AMR. Kauai first responders also conducted rescues on March 10 and 15 when hikers got stranded on the Kalalau Trail washed out by recent rains, as well as on the Makaleha Trail when hikers got stranded after waters rose rapidly in a river. 'We urge everyone planning to hike on our island to exercise caution when crossing rivers, always carry essential safety gear, including flashlights and emergency devices, and remain aware of changing weather conditions, ' said Kauai Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson in a news release at the time. 'Heavy rainfall and flooding can occur rapidly and significantly impact the integrity of the island's trails. Rescue operations under these conditions are complex and add a layer of danger for outdoor enthusiasts and our first responders.' 1 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
