Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, December 5, 2024 73° Today's Paper


Top News

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”

  1. WizardOfMoa says:

    Whoa! Quite a number of people involved to rescue a pair of adventurers!

  2. noheawilli says:

    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.

  3. Canefire says:

    Please bill them for the rescue

  4. poipoo says:

    I want to ride in the helicopter too 🙂 *plans hike, gets ride down – free*

  5. kekelaward says:

    They better clean off their gear before they go traipsing thru the Koolaus.

  6. StifelHNL says:

    Same two women from kaaawa last week?

  7. paninirose says:

    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!

  8. sccoutt says:

    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.

  9. Tahitigirl55 says:

    Please send them the bill. No freebees.

  10. cojef says:

    Tourist economy has to put up with visitors idiosnycrasies that propel themselves into danger.

Leave a Reply