On March 31, 2024, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 5:29 p.m. for a lost hiking group on the Kaau Crater Trail in Kaimuki and responded with 5 units staffed with 13 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 5:39 p.m. to secure a landing zone at the Palolo District Park in preparation for a search and rescue operation by air.

It was reported that four adults were hiking with two infants for about six and one-half hours and became lost near the summit. With 25 percent battery life remaining on their cell phone, fire dispatchers were able to obtain their geolocation with a high degree of confidence. Air 2 was able to locate the hikers near the summit and insert two rescue personnel nearby. The rescue personnel arrived at the hikers’ side at 6:07 p.m. and conducted a medical assessment to confirm that no one in the party was injured. They were then led to an open area where Air 2 could land so the hikers could board the aircraft. Air 2 transported the hiking party safely to the nearby landing zone at 7:20 p.m.

All HFD personnel were accounted for with no injuries.