LIHU‘E — Four injured hikers were rescued from trails across the island Sunday and Monday. The incidents prompted Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman to warn people to be aware of potential hazards before heading out. “There is something for everyone
LIHU‘E — Four injured hikers were rescued from trails across the island Sunday and Monday.
The incidents prompted Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman to warn people to be aware of potential hazards before heading out.
“There is something for everyone here on Kaua‘i, but safety must come first,” he said in a press release.
At about 8:30 a.m. Monday, a 48-year-old Colorado woman was airlifted from the Nounou Trail — also known as Sleeping Giant — after she reportedly fell 30 feet from the trail to a grassy area below.
Air 1 short-hauled two rescue personnel into the area to locate the woman, who suffered a broken arm and leg injury. She was taken to a nearby park where awaiting medics transported her to Wilcox Hospital, states the release.
There were a pair of rescue missions on Sunday.
The first incident occurred about 10 a.m. when police dispatch was notified of two injured hikers in the Hanakoa Valley, along Kaua‘i’s Na Pali Coast.
A 34-year-old Canadian woman and a 29-year-old Maui woman suffered leg injuries near the Hanakoa camping area. Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 flew to the Hanakoa landing zone and airlifted both women to Waimea Canyon Park, where medics were waiting.
At 12:40 p.m. Sunday, rescuers responded to ‘Ili‘ili Trail, above Wailua, where a 64-year-old Lihu‘e woman also suffered a leg injury. She was short-hauled from the trail to the Lihu‘e Airport landing zone to on-scene medics.
Westerman called on residents and visitors to check trail conditions and weather forecasts before venturing out in the wilderness.
“Tell someone reliable where you plan to hike and when you expect to get back,” he said in the release. “Always pack warm clothes and more food and water than you think you’ll need. And finally, know your limits and choose your outdoor activities accordingly.
For trail information and daily ocean reports visit www.kauaiexplorer.com. Updated weather forecasts and alerts can be found at www.weather.gov/hawaii.
Kaua’i firefighters and the county’s Air 1 rescue helicopter airlifted
