Rescue on Kukui Trail Brings Visitor to Safety, Local Response
Kaua‘i Fire Department crews conducted an aerial rescue on the Kukui Trail in Kōkeʻe on December 8, 2025, extracting a 46 year old visitor who was unable to hike out roughly 1.2 miles. The swift operation, which involved Līhu‘e Air 1, Waimea fire personnel and American Medical Response, concluded with the hiker refusing further care and the scene clearing later that evening.
Emergency crews responded on December 8, 2025 after a 46 year old male visitor reported he could not hike out from about 1.2 miles along the Kukui Trail in Kōkeʻe. Līhu‘e Fire personnel aboard Air 1 located the man and performed an aerial extraction using an aerial rescue vest, bringing him to the Kukui Trail landing zone for transfer.
At the landing zone Waimea fire station personnel met the aircraft and accepted the patient for assessment. American Medical Response personnel evaluated him on scene. After assessment the hiker refused further medical care and was released by emergency crews. Responders cleared the scene later that evening, ending an operation that relied on rapid aircraft deployment and coordinated ground support.
The incident highlights the challenging terrain of Kōkeʻe and the need for preparedness on Kaua‘i trails. Kukui Trail offers steep sections and remote stretches where reaching or hiking out can become difficult, especially for visitors unfamiliar with local conditions. Bring adequate water and food, wear sturdy footwear, notify someone of your plan before setting out, and carry a charged phone or personal locator device when hiking in remote areas.
For residents and visitors the operation underscores the value of interagency coordination across the island. Līhu‘e based aerial assets, Waimea station crews, and contracted medical responders worked in concert to minimize risk and return the individual to care or to his own decisions quickly. Timely reporting by companions or trail users remains critical to enable fast rescues and to limit exposure to weather and terrain related hazards.
Kōkeʻe continues to attract hikers for its views and native forest, and local emergency resources stand ready to respond when situations arise. The county asks hikers to plan responsibly and to be aware of trail difficulty and weather changes that can complicate even familiar routes.
