On January 29, 2026, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 6:15 p.m. and responded to an injured hiker above the cloud cover on the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail in Moanalua with 5 units staffed with 13 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 6:22 p.m. and secured a nearby landing zone to prepare for air operations.
It was reported that a 17-year-old male was hiking with four others since noon, began to experience muscle cramps in both legs, and could not continue on his own. Air 1 located them near the summit and lowered rescue personnel nearby. Rescue personnel arrived at the injured hiker’s side at 7:11 p.m., performed an initial medical assessment, and provided basic life support treatment. While treating the first hiker, another teenage hiker in the group also experienced muscle cramps. Rescuer personnel assisted both injured hikers below cloud cover and prepared them to be hoisted onboard the aircraft. Air 1 hovered over the open area, hoisted them safely onboard, then transported them to the nearby landing zone, where medical care was transferred to the Emergency Medical Services at 8:12 p.m.