HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220228KFD.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: February 28, 2022
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT
STEVEN R. GOBLE, CHIEF
(808) 241-4980
First responders perform rescues at Nounou East Trail, Kalalau Trail Sunday; one hiker
pronounced dead
On Sunday, first responders performed rescues at the Nounou East Trail in Wailua and Kalalau
Trail in Hanakoa Valley. One hiker was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.
The Kaua‘i Police Department has identified the hiker as 59-year-old Masami Ozawa of Illinois.
Firefighters were notified of the first report at approximately 11:30 a.m. of a 59-year-old male
visitor from Illinois who became unresponsive on the Sleeping Giant Trail in Wailua.
Personnel with the Kapa‘a fire station, Rescue 3, Air 1, the on-duty battalion chief, and American
Medical Response responded to the incident.
According to a preliminary report, first responders arrived on scene at approximately 11:35 a.m.
and located the hiker at the 0.5-mile marker of the trail. The hiker had no pulse, was not breathing, and
was being administered CPR by a bystander.
Rescuers activated an AED on the hiker and took over CPR efforts. Assistance from additional
rescuers included high-performance CPR and bag-valve-mask ventilation with high flow oxygen. The
man was transported via Air 1 to Wailua Houselots Park to awaiting medics and firefighters.
AMR personnel continued advanced life support on the hiker before transporting him to Wilcox
Medical Center ER, where he was pronounced dead.
Volunteers with Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, are assisting with the family of the
victim.
The scene was cleared at approximately 12:40 p.m.
First responders were alerted of the second incident at approximately 12:30 p.m., involving a
56-year-old female visitor with an ankle injury on the Kalalau Trail in Hanakoa Valley.
Personnel with the Hanalei fire station, Rescue 3, Air 1, the on-duty battalion chief, and
American Medical Response responded to the incident.
First responders arrived on scene at approximately 12:50 p.m.
After accessing the patient, first responders carried her to Air 1. After landing at Princeville
Airport to awaiting medics and fire personnel, she was accessed and transported to a local hospital.
The scene was cleared at 1:35 p.m.
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