The Kauaʻi Fire Department responded to two separate hiker rescues on Monday, May 25, nearly 90 minutes apart, in Wailua and Kōkeʻe.
Both incidents involved adult female hikers who suffered apparent lower leg injuries.
In the first incident, KFD personnel were dispatched shortly before 9:10 a.m., where they found a 69-year-old female visitor from Arizona who had fallen near the first river crossing along the trail to Uluwehi Falls in Wailua, according to a news release from Kaua‘i County.
Firefighters stabilized the injury, used a litter and wheel to extricate the patient from the trail, and transferred her to AMR personnel staged at Kamokila Village for transport to Wilcox Medical Center.
The scene was cleared shortly after 10:20 a.m.
Personnel with the Kapaʻa Fire Station, Rescue 3, and American Medical Response responded to the incident.
In the second incident, KFD personnel were dispatched at approximately 10:31 a.m. to a report of an injured hiker on the Waimea Canyon Trail in Kōkeʻe, about 1.5 miles in. When they arrived on scene, they found a 40-year-old female visitor from Oklahoma who had slipped and fallen, suffering an apparent leg injury.
Firefighters splinted the injury and secured the patient in a litter for trail extrication. The patient was transported to a parking area on Halemanu Road, where she was transferred to AMR personnel for transport to a local hospital.
The scene was cleared shortly before 4:55 p.m.
Personnel with the Waimea and Hanapēpē fire stations, Rescue 3, and American Medical Response responded to the second incident.
“Monday’s rescues are a reminder of how quickly conditions on our trails can change and how easily an unexpected slip or fall can turn into a serious injury,” said Kauaʻi Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson. “We urge everyone, residents and visitors alike, to wear proper footwear, carry enough water, let someone know your plans, and be honest about your ability level before heading out.”
Gibson thanked his crews for their swift and coordinated response and wished both hikers a full and speedy recovery.
The Kauaʻi Fire Department reminds the public to hike prepared: check weather and trail conditions before heading out, wear sturdy closed-toe footwear, carry water and a charged cell phone, stay on marked trails, and turn back if conditions become unsafe.
In an emergency, call 911.
