Kauai Firefighters Rescue Two Injured Hikers on Memorial Day

Two hikers experienced the best of Kauai's natural beauty and the island's firefighting heroes all in one Memorial Day.

The Kauai Fire Department responded to back-to-back trail emergencies on May 25, rescuing two women who suffered leg injuries on different hiking paths. Both visitors are now recovering at local hospitals, thanks to the quick work of multiple fire stations working in tandem.

The first call came just before 9:10 a.m. when a 69-year-old Arizona woman fell near the first river crossing on the trail to Uluwehi Falls in Wailua. Firefighters from the Kapaa Fire Station stabilized her injury, carefully maneuvered her onto a litter with wheels, and transported her to waiting ambulance crews at Kamokila Village.

Before that scene even cleared at 10:20 a.m., dispatchers sent crews to Waimea Canyon Trail in Kokee. A 40-year-old Oklahoma hiker had slipped about 1.5 miles into the trail and injured her leg. Teams from Waimea and Hanapepe fire stations splinted her injury and carried her out on a litter to Halemanu Road, where paramedics took over.

The second rescue took significantly longer, with crews working until nearly 5 p.m. to safely extract the injured hiker from the remote canyon location.

Sunny's Take

Fire Chief Michael Gibson praised his teams for their coordinated response while offering grateful hikers important advice. "Monday's rescues are a reminder of how quickly conditions on our trails can change," he said, urging everyone to wear proper footwear, carry water, and be honest about their ability level.

The message comes with genuine care. Both women will recover fully, but their unexpected falls show how even experienced outdoor enthusiasts can face challenges on Hawaii's beautiful but sometimes unpredictable terrain.

The department's reminder is simple: check weather and trail conditions, wear sturdy shoes, carry a charged phone, stay on marked paths, and turn back if things feel unsafe. Because behind every 911 call are dedicated crews ready to bring you home safely.