UPDATE: The rescue of the trapped hunters in Wahiawa has been called off. The hunting party was able to hike out of the mountains overnight. The party notified the Honolulu Fire Department Communications Center at approximately 5:00 a.m. that they were uninjured and the Honolulu Fire Department’s services were no longer needed.
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RESCUE FOR HUNTING PARTY IN WAHIAWA SUSPENDED FOR THE NIGHT
On December 28, 2023, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 7:23 p.m. for a hunting party near the Kawailoa Stream near Wahiawa. HFD responded with 5 units staffed with 17 personnel. The initial call was received by the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) via text, and forwarded to HFD for investigation. The first unit arrived on scene at 7:47 p.m. and established command. Due to the remote location of the hunters, access for the investigation was made by air.
It was reported that a group of seven hunters began hiking at 4:00 a.m. A flash flood separated the group near the Kawailoa Stream. A group of three hunters was able to make it to safety, while the remaining four in the party were trapped on the other side of the stream. Air 1 and Rescue personnel did a search by air and were able to locate the four hunters. Due to the topography and terrain, the rescue was suspended at 9:22p.m. and will resume at first light. The remaining hunters confirmed that there were no injuries and they are in a safe refuge area for the night.
