German visitor and minor rescued on Kalalau Trail along Kauaʻi’s Napali Coast

A crew from the Kaua‘i Fire Department on Thursday rescued a distressed 51-year-old male German visitor and a minor hiking with him on the Kalalau Trail.

The incident was reported shortly after 7:45 a.m. But due to ongoing search and rescue efforts at Kahili Beach for a missing 19-year-old local fisherman, the rescue was delayed, according to the Kauaʻi Fire Department.

“Our crews are always ready to help when there is a true emergency, but it is important for the public and visitors to understand that Kaua‘i Fire Department has only one rescue helicopter,” said Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson.

“When Air 1 is used for situations that do not involve a medical emergency or imminent danger, it can delay our response to life-threatening incidents elsewhere on the island. We urge everyone to carefully assess their situation and call for assistance only when it is truly needed, so this critical resource remains available for real emergencies,” he said.

According to a preliminary report, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 helicopter responded to the incident shortly after 1:35 p.m. on Jan. 29.

First responders arrived on scene at Kalalau Beach and discovered the distressed hiker with alleged stomach issues. The distressed hiker and minor were loaded into the helicopter at the Kalalau Beach landing zone, where they were taken to Princeville Airport. Upon landing, the hiker was transferred to American Medical Response for assessment.

The hiker refused further medical care and was released. The scene was cleared shortly after 4:05 p.m.