First responders conduct multiple rescues Sunday

Published on March 24, 2025

LĪHU‘E  — Personnel from the Kaua‘i Fire Department conducted multiple rescues Sunday, March 23.

KFD personnel received the first report shortly after 2 p.m. of an injured hiker on the Makaleha Falls Trail in Kapa‘a. According to a preliminary report, the hiker was struck on the head by a falling rock and became unconscious.

Personnel with Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded to the incident while firefighters with the Kaiākea Fire Station set up a landing zone near the trailhead.

First responders arrived at the scene and discovered the injured hiker at the base of the falls. The hiker was unconscious, with labored breathing and heavy bleeding from an apparent head wound.

Rescuers loaded the hiker into a stokes litter and transported her to a landing zone at the water tank, where firefighters and American Medical Response personnel took over patient care.

 AMR personnel continued advanced medical treatment on the hiker as they transferred her to Wilcox Medical Center.

The scene was cleared shortly after 3:30 p.m.

In the second incident, KFD personnel received a report of an injured Utah visitor shortly after 3:10 p.m. on the Kalalau Trail, near mile marker 1.5, unable to continue due to a leg injury.

Personnel with Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded to the incident.

First responders arrived on the scene and discovered the injured hiker near the landing zone, where two firefighters carried the patient into the helicopter for safe transport. Air 1 landed at Princeville Airport and transferred the hiker to personnel with the Hanalei Fire Station and later to AMR for medical care.

The scene was cleared shortly after 4:40 p.m.

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