HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR_2021-12-03ThirteenkayakersrescuedonWailuaRiverThursdayDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 3, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT
STEVEN R. GOBLE, CHIEF
(808) 241-4980
13 stranded kayakers rescued on Wailua River Thursday
WAILUA – Thirteen kayakers were rescued Thursday evening on the Wailua River, after getting
stranded near Uluwehi Falls.
No injuries were reported.
At approximately 5 p.m., firefighters were notified of 13 kayakers who were stranded up the
Wailua River, just past the kayak landing near the end of the trail to Uluwehi Falls. The callers stated that
the river had risen and was impassable.
Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 conducted an initial fly over the scene. However, due to the area’s
conditions and safety concerns, Kapa‘a firefighters instead utilized KFD’s rescue boat, Whaler 1, and
responded up the river.
At the kayak landing, personnel walked in and found the 13 people stranded across the river.
Firefighters shuttled the 13 victims across the river using the kayaks at the site. Once all 13 people were
safely across, they used their kayaks and proceeded down the river towards the Wailua Marina while
Whaler 1 escorted them to safety.
All 13 kayakers reported no injuries and the scene was cleared shortly after 7 p.m.
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