Firefighters rescue hikers from highest point on Oahu
STAR-ADVERTISER / MARCH 2012
The Kaala Natural Area Reserve is located at approximately 4000 feet up of Mt. Kaala in the Waianae mountain range.
Honolulu Fire Department personnel rescued a pair of hikers from the Mt. Kaala trail today.
The two women had successfully reached the ridge line of the 4,026-foot mountain, the highest point on Oahu, but found themselves unable to safely descend, according to HFD spokesperson Capt. Kevin Mokulehua.
Seven HFD units staffed with 21 total personnel responded to the 3:12 p.m. emergency call. A crew of eight firefighters hiked the trail to reach the hikers and assisted as an HFD helicopter airlifted to a designated landing zone one at a time.
Both hikers were transported to safety by 4:38 p.m. No injuries were reported.
21 responses to “Firefighters rescue hikers from highest point on Oahu”
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Whoa! Quite a number of people involved to rescue a pair of adventurers!
Make these two hikers pay the bill for rescue services!!!
I agree, they should be paying for this resue!!! They must have been tourist, no locals no bettah to Hike Mount Kaala.
Uh, why would they hike to them when they can DRIVE to them? Yes there is a road that goes up to the big golf ball on top of Kaala. I’ve hiked both sides too many times to remember.
Pretty much unless you are in the military and stationed to work up there YOU AIN’T GONNA GET TO DRIVE UP THAT ROAD. That’s why people hike from the Wai`anae Side.
I would think the FAA would allow access by opening the gates for the HFD. Other agencies have the key also.
agree..but a fleet-footed indigenous Mandan can get up there quickly.
Please, you would trip on your big nose and that shaggy tail of yours….
My understanding is that the public road access ends about a mile and a half from the summit and that the trail itself is pretty easy.
Because that isn’t where they were, silly.
We’ll send you to the rescue next time Smarty Two Pants.
That golfball you refer to is a radome covering a radar system, manned by the Hawaii Air National Guard.
Please bill them for the rescue
I want to ride in the helicopter too 🙂 *plans hike, gets ride down – free*
They better clean off their gear before they go traipsing thru the Koolaus.
Most apropos reply of the entire thread.
Same two women from kaaawa last week?
I am sick and tired of hearing of these weekend rescues that not only indirectly affect us as taxpayers but also risk the lives of HFD and other rescue personnel. It takes time away from other emergency responders too. As a family member of HFD personnel I hear “stories” all the time about unprepared hikers who go places where they obviously don’t belong. How about the wahine who just recently decided to go hiking ALONE at 3:30 pm with only 3 percent battery power on her cell phone..must of been taking too many selfies of herself. We really need to start making these hikers pay so they will think twice about where they hike and their limitations. Lets make it mandatory to carry your debit/credit card on your hike…because before you step out from that chopper your card will be zapped with the bill on the spot! Maybe make them think twice about climbing Mount Ka’ala next time!
When are we going to start charging people like this for their “rescue?” That was a lot of personnel and resources that the taxpayers have to foot the bill for! If you want to go hiking, fine. If you need to be rescued, you need to pay the fine.
Please send them the bill. No freebees.
Tourist economy has to put up with visitors idiosnycrasies that propel themselves into danger.