On July 20, 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 12:36 p.m. for an unconscious swimmer at the Kaneohe Sandbar in Kaneohe Bay and responded with 5 units staffed with 13 personnel. The first unit arrived at the Heeia Kea Boat Harbor at 12:48 p.m. to investigate. Other units secured a landing zone nearby in preparation for a search and rescue operation by air.

At 12:53 p.m., rescuers at the harbor identified a Good Samaritan boat being escorted by several jet skiers approaching land and confirmed that they were transporting the swimmer to shore. It was reported that a male in his 50s was found unconscious and floating near the Kaneohe Sandbar. A group of Good Samaritans assisted and transported him to shore. When HFD rescuers received him at 12:54 p.m., they provided basic life support treatment until his medical care was transferred to the Emergency Medical Services at 12:58 p.m.

All HFD personnel were accounted for with no injuries.