Distressed Hiker Rescued From Kalalau Beach

First responders rescued a female Montana visitor from Kalalau Beach on Monday, Sept. 20.

Kauaʻi Fire Department first received reports of the distressed hiker at approximately 9 a.m. Crews with the Hanalei fire station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and American Medical Response responded to the incident.

At 9:30 a.m., Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 was en route to Kalalau Beach. Shortly after, first responders landed at the beach and campsite and could not locate the distressed hiker. After nearly an hour of searching and speaking with other hikers, first responders could not locate the Montana visitor.

Dispatch relayed a new set of coordinates for the visitor. However, Air 1 needed to be refueled at Līhu‘e Airport.

At 11:15 a.m., Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 continued their search and located an “SOS” written in the sand and persons on the beach waving for help. First responders found the hiker who needed assistance out of the campsite. She was loaded into Air 1 and transported to awaiting firefighters and personnel from American Medical Response. Medics with AMR took over the incident and released firefighters from the scene. The status of the hiker is unknown at this time.

The scene was cleared at approximately 1:25 p.m.