‘Heroic efforts’ and ‘hard work’ help rescue stranded hikers

The rescue of more than 120 hikers trapped by rapidly rising stream waters on Kauai’s rugged Na Pali Coast on Sunday and Monday ranks among the largest rescues of stranded hikers on the island.

"It’s nothing short of a miracle that everybody got out," said Sarah Blane, a Kauai County spokes­woman.

No injuries were reported.

The Kauai Fire Department rescued 121 hikers by way of helicopter from Hana­ka­piai after rain caused a swift stream rise, which prevented hikers from crossing. A majority of the hikers were visitors and included several children.

Among them was a 12-year-old boy from Salt Lake City who was swept into the fast-moving waters but managed to pull himself up to a tiny ledge, where he remained for hours while awaiting rescue.

At about 4 p.m. Sunday, when firefighters were alerted to hikers in distress, nine firefighters, including a battalion chief, responded to the scene on the rugged coast. Air 1 flew 23 hikers to safety that night, according to a county news release.

Two rescue specialists stayed overnight with the remaining 98 hikers.

"The water was still high and dangerous this morning," Blane said Monday. Between 6 and about 10 a.m., the remaining hikers, in groups of three and four, were shuttled by helicopter to safety.

In an interview with Hawaii Stream, Richard Greenberg of Salt Lake City recounted the harrowing experience involving the rescue of his son, Zachary.

At about 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Greenberg was hiking with his wife, three children and a friend when stream waters became treacherous, he said. Greenberg attempted to cross the stream waters while carrying his 3-year-old daughter in a child-carrier backpack and holding his 9-year-old daughter’s hand.

His son, Zachary, held his sister’s other hand. At some point he slipped and let go.

Greenberg said he then tried to grab his son’s hand and slipped. The father, along with his daughter in the backpack and Zachary, were swept into strong currentsand pulled downstream.

"It seemed like forever, but it was probably somewhere between 30 to 60 seconds," Greenberg said in the interview.

Another hiker extended his tripod and pulled out Greenberg, with his daughter attached to him in his carrier backpack. Zachary, who had passed him in the stream, was found sitting on a tiny ledge next to the rushing water. The boy, who had pulled himself out of the stream, remained at that spot for almost five hours, Greenberg said.

At about 3:30 p.m. another hiker was able to get word out about Zachary’s vulnerable position. At about 4:30 p.m., Greenberg said, he spotted the rescue helicopter.

Fire rescue specialist Aaron Hawthorne was hoisted down to the ledge, where he picked up the boy by way of "bear hug," tightly holding the child as they were airlifted to safety.

The helicopter returned and rescued Greenberg and the rest of his family, and other hikers. During the taped interview, Greenberg cried while closely holding his son and kissed him on the top of his head.

"It was only through the grace of God, through their heroic efforts that my family is safe," he said, referring to the firefighters.

Other than some minor scrapes, both Greenberg and his son were OK.

"My 3-year-old has absolutely nothing wrong with her. It’s unbelievable. We’re just grateful for their amazing act of courage and hard work for saving all those people." 

Due to the stream’s dangerous conditions, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed Kala­lau Trail at the Kee Beach trail head Monday until further notice. DLNR spokes­woman Debo­rah Ward said the state closes the trail head when flash flood watches or warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.

"In this case there was no warning," Ward said. "There was no opportunity to warn and close the trail in advance."

Signs are posted at the trail head and at opposite sides of Hana­ka­piai Stream, warning hikers to keep to high ground and not attempt to cross quickly rising stream waters.

In February 2013 lifeguards and firefighters rescued more than 50 people when the stream swelled, making it impassable. Norka Villacorta, 43, of New York City died after she attempted to cross the stream before rescuers arrived. Her body was recovered downstream.

During that rescue effort, two rescue specialists stayed overnight with the group of hikers because strong wind and the stream’s high water forced them to stay put. Nine hikers were airlifted by Air 1 the next morning, while the others opted to hike out when stream waters receded.

Kauai Deputy Fire Chief John Blalock offered the following tips to hikers:

» Do not cross fast-moving waters. Stay put and wait for help to arrive.

» Talk to locals who are familiar with the site.

» Know your limitations.

» Pack enough water and snacks to sustain you for a full day.

» Stay hydrated.

» Wear proper clothing and footwear.