On May 17, 2026, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 3:13 p.m. and responded to an injured hiker on the Kaʻau Crater Trail in Pālolo with 5 units staffed with 13 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 3:23 p.m. to secure a landing zone nearby to prepare for a search and rescue operation by air.
It was reported that a 23-year-old male was hiking on the trail near the second waterfall and experienced an injury to both of his lower legs, and could not continue on his own. Air 1 visually located him about one mile from the trailhead and lowered a rescuer nearby. The HFD rescuer arrived at his side, performed an initial medical assessment, administered basic life support treatment, and prepared him for extraction. Air 1 hovered over the open area, hoisted him safely onboard, and transported him to the nearby landing zone, where his medical care was transferred to the Emergency Medical Services unit at 4:33 p.m.
All HFD personnel were accounted for with no injuries.