On November 22, 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 4:06 p.m. and responded to swimmers in distress offshore of Hanauma Bay with 6 units with 19 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 4:27 p.m. to begin a search from the shoreline.

A 12-foot vessel carrying two boaters—a man in his 50s and another in his 20s—was reportedly swamped by a large wave, causing it to sink. The man in his 20s was able to swim to shore, climb up the cliffside, and contact 911 for assistance, while the other boater drifted west. A Good Samaritan on a jetski located the other male and transferred him to HFD’s rescue boat. HFD transported him to the nearby boat ramp where care was transferred to Emergency Medical Services at 4:50 p.m.

All HFD personnel were accounted for with no reports of injuries.