On December 15, 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 5:26 p.m. and responded to an injured hiker on the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail in ‘Āina Haina with 6 units staffed by 19 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 5:41 p.m., established command and secured the landing zone to prepare for air operations.

It was reported that a 29-year old female fell approximately 30 feet from the Ko’olau Summit Trail, above the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, suffered an injury and was unable to descend the trail on her own. Her hiking companion, a 30-year-old male, was able to make his way to her location where they waited for assistance. Air 1 attempted to insert rescue personnel at the hikers’ location but the terrain, weather, and darkness made it unsafe to do so. Rescue operations continued by foot until 1:16 a.m. Due to dangerous terrain and weather conditions, operations were halted and resumed at first light, this morning.

HFD personnel on foot arrived at the hiker’s location at 10:56 a.m., where they conducted a medical assessment and performed basic life support treatment. The hiker was then lowered via multiple rope systems to an area free of tree canopy and below the cloud cover where Air 1 hoisted her into the aircraft and transported her to the nearby landing zone. Medical care was transferred to Emergency Medical Services at 1:15 p.m.

HFD personnel are actively escorting the uninjured male hiker up to the ridgeline in order to make their way down the trail. Due to the dangerous terrain and inclement weather, the remainder of the rescue operation will be extensive.