12 hikers rescued in Wailua, Kōke‘e during flash flood warning

Emergency responders reportedly rescued 12 hikers in Wailua and Kōke‘e on Sunday, prompting the County of Kauaʻi to urge the public to avoid outdoor trails during heavy rain.

Three hikers were rescued at Blue Hole Trail in Wailua in the early afternoon on April 14, and another nine hikers were rescued from the Waimea Canyon in Kōke‘e later that day, according to County of Kauaʻi officials. In both incidents, the hikers called Kauaʻi Police Dispatch for help.

“We are grateful to our first responders for all their work during this recent severe weather event,” said Fire Chief Michael Gibson in a statement. “It is critical to avoid outdoor activities during heavy rain and inclement weather. It puts our emergency personnel and recreational enthusiasts at great risk and danger.”

The island of Kaua‘i was hammered with severe weather conditions starting Thursday evening, prompting officials with the National Weather Service to issue multiple Flash Flood Warnings, watches, and advisories through Sunday.

According to a preliminary report, Kauaʻi Fire Department personnel received a report shortly after 12:35 p.m. that three hikers had been stranded at the Blue Hole Trail in Wailua.

Personnel with the Kapa‘a fire station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and American Medical Response responded to the incident.

Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 arrived on scene shortly before 1 p.m. and made contact with the hikers. The hikers were short-hauled to a landing zone at the trailhead and were later transported to awaiting medics and firefighters at the Keahua Stream Bridge Parking lot.

The hikers declined medical transport, and firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 1:55 p.m.

The second rescue involved nine hikers who were rescued from the Waimea Canyon in Kōke‘e. No injuries were reported.

KFD personnel received a report of nine hikers stranded in Waimea Canyon near Hipalau Camp at approximately 5 p.m.

Personnel with the Waimea fire station and Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded to the incident.  

After Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 discovered the hikers, first responders shuttled two hikers at a time to the landing zone at Kukui Trail to await personnel from the Waimea fire station.

The scene was cleared shortly before 7:10 p.m.