Flooded streams prompt rescue of hikers on Kauai

Kauai firefighters rescued 62 hikers stranded in Kalalau Valley on Wednesday after several streams flooded and became impassable, Kauai County said.

Firefighters were called Wednesday morning about hikers who may have been stranded in the valley for several days with dwindling supplies after Hanakapiai Stream flooded.

A fire crew flew in by helicopter and began airlifting people out from the valley.

An injured man was flown to Princeville Airport, where paramedics were waiting to take him to the hospital. His injury was not life-threatening. No one else was hurt, said Beth Tokioka, Kauai County spokeswoman.

The rescue came after several hikers ignored warnings from a state park attendant that Kalalau Trail was closed because of hazardous weather.

Kauai County said park closure signs were posted at the Kalalau trailhead Monday morning and a Department of Land and Natural Resources attendant was posted at the trailhead, warning hikers of the park closure and potential hazards.

Several hikers ignored the warnings and continued on, the county said.

The Kauai Fire Department has had to rescue hikers stranded along Kalalau Trail numerous times, including 121 people in April, when Hanakapiai Stream flooded.

The Fire Department worked two days, starting April 6, to bring the hikers to safety by helicopter. That operation cost the county about $3,500 in overtime and helicopter fuel.

Fifty-four hikers were rescued Feb. 22, 2013, after fast-moving streams stranded them in Hanakapiai Valley. Norka Villacorta, of New York City, died that day when she was swept away in Hanakapiai Stream during a flash flood.

On Feb. 7, 2012, firefighters rescued 37 stranded hikers.

According to tourist site kauai.com, hikers on Kalalau Trail must cross Hanakapiai Stream by boulder-hopping to reach Hanakapiai Beach along the Na Pali Coast.

Tokioka said flooding in the stream can occur even when it isn’t raining on the trail because heavy rain may be falling up in the mountains.

"Sometimes it catches people by surprise," she said.

The state park remained closed Wednesday and will reopen when conditions improve.