The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 66-year-old woman with abdominal trauma from a cruise ship 81 miles southeast of the Big Island on Tuesday, the Coast Guard said in a news release.
The woman is in stable condition at the Hilo Medical Center, the Coast Guard said.
The crew of the Emerald Princess notified the Coast Guard at 7:40 p.m. Monday that a woman on board was suffering from abdominal trauma. The ship was traveling at 25 mph to Hilo, and was 390 miles southeast of the Big Island at the time.
Watchstanders on duty briefed the duty flight surgeon, who agreed on a medevac, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point when the ship was within range.
The Coast Guard also launched an HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft to provide cover and communications while the ship sailed toward the islands.
The helicopter reached the Emerald Princess at 12:30 p.m. when it was 81 miles southeast of the island, hoisted the woman aboard and flew her to waiting Emergency Medical Services personnel at Hilo International Airport.
She was then taken to Hilo Medical Center.
“We are proud of all the crews involved, including that of the Emerald Princess, for their cooperation and work ensuring the passenger received appropriate care,” said Kelvin Morgan, operations unit controller at Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu.
Man allegedly sells drugs to schoolkids
A 22-year-old Makawao man has been charged with allegedly supplying high school students with drugs on Maui.
Dane Resell was charged Monday with six drug-related offenses that include promoting a harmful drug in the first-degree and promoting a detrimental drug in the first-degree.
Lt. Gregg Okamoto, spokesman for the Maui Police Department, said Resell was released Tuesday after he posted $23,200 bail.
Officers of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Division and Criminal Intelligence Unit executed a search warrant at a Makawao residence Monday morning and recovered illegal drugs that included hashish oil and marijuana.
Police obtained the warrant after officers received information that a man had been supplying students at King Kekaulike High School with butane hashish oil and marijuana, police said in a news release.
Police open probe of 3-month-old attack
Police opened an attempted murder case Wednesday involving a 67-year-old man who sought medical treatment for head injuries he received three months ago in the Sand Island area.
Police said the victim went to a hospital Wednesday and was treated for the injuries, which he received on Feb. 1.
The man reported that an unknown man in his 20s attacked him, causing substantial, life-threatening head injuries, police said.
The victim’s condition improved since the attack, and he was in good condition, police said.
Police did not disclose details of how the man was injured and whether a weapon was used.
The case is classified as a second-degree attempted murder.
