On October 20, 2023, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 1:03
p.m. for swimmers stranded on the Mokulua Islands in Kailua and responded with 6
HFD units, staffed with 17 personnel. The first unit arrived at the scene at 1:14 p.m.,
established command and investigated further. A second unit secured a nearby landing
zone to prepare for air operations.

It was reported that three swimmers were stranded on the rocks at the backside of the
Mokulua Islands and unable to safely make their way back up. Air 1 inserted rescue
personnel to the swimmers’ location, conducted a medical assessment and confirmed
all three swimmers were uninjured. The swimmers were safely airlifted to the landing

one at 2:03 p.m. where medical care was declined.
All HFD personnel were accounted for with no injuries.