On June 14, 2026, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 4:37 p.m. and responded to a boater in distress offshore of ʻĀina Haina with 7 units and 22 personnel. The first HFD unit arrived on scene at 4:43 p.m. and observed an overturned boat within the surf break known as “Snipes.” Additional HFD units responded to launch a rescue boat and establish a nearby landing zone in preparation for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by air and ocean.
It was reported that a 22-foot vessel carrying five occupants had capsized in the surf break and was located approximately 200 yards offshore. Upon arrival, the first HFD unit deployed two firefighters equipped with rescue boards and rescue tubes to initiate search and rescue efforts. Personnel from the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department also responded with rescue watercraft and successfully brought all five boaters safely to shore. One of the occupants required medical evaluation and treatment, and care was transferred to the on-scene Emergency Medical Services unit at 5:09 p.m.
An HFD rescue boat responded to the ocean scene and remained outside the surf break in deeper water while assessing the feasibility of recovering the vessel. Due to the overturned boat resting in approximately two feet of water, attempts to right the vessel and tow it to deeper water were unsuccessful. The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources will be contacted to coordinate salvage operations with the vessel owner.
All HFD personnel were accounted for, and no injuries to emergency responders were reported.