Injured hunter rescued from Mākaha Ridge

This story was updated at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 2025, to add that personnel with Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also responded to the incident.

Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel rescued an injured 23-year-old Kaua‘i man Dec. 6 from Mākaha Ridge in the northwest part of the island.

First responders received a report of the injured hunter shortly before 2 p.m. Personnel with Waimea Fire Station along with others from Līhu‘e Fire Station aboard Air 1 as well as personnel from Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement responded to the incident.

Waimea Fire Station personnel hiked down steep terrain of Mākaha Ridge to find the injured hunter, who was severely ill. Firefighters administered initial first aid and determined extraction via Air 1 would be best because of his condition.

Līhu‘e Fire Station personnel aboard Air 1 extracted the hunter using an aerial rescue vest, transporting the 23-year-old to the NASA landing zone in Kōke‘e.

He was turned over to American Medical Response for further care upon arriving at the landing zone and then transported to a local hospital for additional medical care.

The scene was cleared shortly after 6 p.m. Dec. 6.