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Honolulu Fire Department rescue personnel spent an unusual amount of time on Oahu hiking trails Sunday as they hustled to rescue at least 10 people in six separate incidents around the island.
The day began with an 8:40 a.m. rescue in Moanalua Valley involving a woman in her 60s who had fallen about 10 feet on the trail and sustained multiple minor injuries. Rescue personnel found the woman about three-quarters of a mile into the valley and were able to transport her out on a stretcher.
A couple of hours later, a woman in her 40s was injured on the same trail in a fall near the intersection with the Koolau Summit. HFD personnel were able to land a rescue helicopter in a nearby clearing and transport the woman to the landing pad at Tripler Army Medical Center, where she was transferred to the care of Emergency Medical Services.
Shortly before noon, an HFD ladder crew helped an injured hiker down from the Diamond Head trail.
At 5:12 p.m., rescue personnel were called to Waianae Valley, where a pair of hikers had strayed from a trail only to find themselves unable to move forward or turn back. They were airlifted to safety. No injuries were reported.
An hour later, three hikers called for help after finding themselves stranded on the Kahana Valley Trail after dark. Rescue personnel were able to locate the trio and airlift them out. None of the hikers reported injuries.
As of 9:45 p.m., HFD personnel were still at the Kaau Crater Trail attempting to locate two hikers stuck on the trail after dark.
HFD spokesman Capt. Gary Lum said Sunday’s incidents are a good reminder that hikers need to observe basic safety considerations — including staying on marked trails and making sure there is adequate time to complete a hike — to ensure their safety and enjoyment on Hawaii trails.
