On December 3, 2024, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 5:49 p.m. and responded to a hiker in distress on the Kaunala Trail in Pūpūkea with six units staffed by 17 personnel. The first unit arrived at the trailhead at 6:17 p.m., established command, and began making its way toward the hiker on foot. A second-arriving company secured a landing zone in preparation for air operations.

It was reported that the hiker, a 42-year-old female, became lost after separating from her party. HFD personnel reached the hiker’s location at 7:04 p.m., conducted a medical assessment, and confirmed that she had no injuries. She was then safely assisted back to the trailhead by 7:37 p.m.