Injured hiker rescued from Ho‘opi‘i Falls Trail

A 54-year-old woman visiting Kaua‘i from San Diego, Calif., was rescued April 23 from the about 3-mile Ho‘opi‘i Falls Trail northwest of downtown Kapa‘a by Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel while weather conditions were unstable, producing the potential for flooding.

“We are grateful to our first responders and partners for their work in rescuing this visitor during unstable weather,” said Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson in a release about the rescue.

The island was under a flood watch from April 22 through the evening of April 23.

Personnel with Kaiākea Fire Station, an off-duty firefighter and American Medical Response responded shortly before 11:15 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a report about a distressed hiker on the trail.

Firefighters upon their arrival discovered the woman had apparently suffered an ankle injury from falling.

The 54-year-old California visitor was subsequently loaded into a litter — a lightweight, compact and collapsible stretcher — and transferred to awaiting American Medical Response personnel, who continued advanced medical treatment before transporting her to Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe.

The scene was cleared just before 1 p.m.

“We continue to advise everyone to avoid outdoor recreational activities during these conditions,” Gibson said about about hiking in adverse weather or if inclement weather is forecast or possible. “It can put yourself and our rescuers at great risk.”