Hiker rescued from Nounou East Trail after he collapses and stops breathing

A 78-year-old man visiting from Alaska was rescued the afternoon of Feb. 8 from a mountain trail on the east side of Kaua‘i after he collapsed and stopped breathing.

First responders with Kaua‘i Fire Department received a report shortly after 12:15 p.m. Saturday that a hiker was in distress on the Nounou East Trail, also known as the Sleeping Giant Trail, outside Wailua.

Personnel with the Kapa‘a Fire Station and Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded.

First responders arrived and found the injured man near the top of Nounou “Sleeping Giant” Mountain. Good Samaritans administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation treatment, or CPR, on the Alaska visitor, and he later regained consciousness.

The man was transported by Air 1 and flown to a landing site in Wailua Houselots. An American Medical Response ambulance was waiting.

Emergency medical personnel continued advanced life support treatment before transporting the 78-year-old to Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe.

The scene was cleared shortly after 1:35 p.m.