On December 29, 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 4:25 p.m. and responded to an injured hiker on the Kaau Crater Trail in Palolo with 5 units staffed with 15 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 4:39 p.m. and secured a landing zone nearby to prepare for air operations while additional units ascended the trail on foot.

It was reported that a male and female, both in their 30’s, were hiking for approximately nine hours, when the male experienced a medical emergency and could not continue on his own. Air 1 located the hikers and lowered rescue personnel nearby. They arrived at the hikers’ location at 5:06 p.m., performed an initial medical assessment and provided basic life support treatment. Air 1 then transported the hikers to the nearby landing zone, where medical care was transferred to the Emergency Medical Services at 5:27 p.m.

While addressing the two hikers, personnel encountered two additional hikers making their way down the trail without lights. Due to the limited amount of sunlight left and distance from the trailhead, the two hikers were also airlifted to the landing zone.

All HFD personnel were accounted for with no injuries.