On April 21, 2024, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 5:50 p.m. for a distressed hiker on the Mount Kaala Trail in Waianae and responded with 6 units staffed with 17 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 6:21 p.m. and secured a landing zone in preparation for search and rescue operations.

It was reported that a solo male hiker was unable to descend the trail on his own. Rescue personnel were inserted below the hiker’s location via Air 1 and proceeded on foot until they made contact with the hiker at 7:16 p.m. The rescue personnel were able to conduct a medical assessment then safely airlift the hiker to the landing zone at 8:11 p.m. where medical attention was declined.

All HFD personnel were accounted for with no injuries.