NR 06-22-26 (First responders rescue injured hiker near Waipoʻo Falls Sunday)

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DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
REIKO MATSUYAMA, MANAGING DIRECTOR

News Release

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2026

First responders rescue injured hiker near Waipoʻo Falls Sunday

KŌKEʻE – Kauaʻi Fire Department first responders rescued an injured 47-year-old female visitor from California near Waipoʻo Falls in Kōkeʻe on Sunday, June 21.

Personnel from Waimea Fire Station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and American Medical Response responded to the incident.

According to a preliminary report, KFD personnel received a report shortly after 11:15 a.m. on Sunday of a hiker with an apparent leg injury who was unable to hike out near Waipoʻo Falls.

First responders located the hiker and determined a short-haul helicopter operation would be necessary. Air 1, with Rescue 3 personnel aboard, located the hiker, and a rescue specialist was lowered to her position. The hiker was secured and extracted by short-haul to Porter’s Landing Zone, where her care was transferred to ground personnel.

AMR personnel took over operations, continued with advanced medical care, and transported the hiker to a local hospital. 

The scene was cleared shortly before 12:50 p.m.

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