News

Water Rescues Despite Flood Warning on Hawaii Island

Around 5 p.m. on Saturday the 3rd November, forecasters said radar indicated heavy rain and thunderstorms upslope of Pololu and Waipio Valleys, Hawaii.

Rainfall rates of up to three inches per hour were observed and Kawainui Stream reached a height of six feet, the national weather service said.

A flash flood warning has expired for Hawaii Island after heavy rain was detected early Saturday evening.

However, thirteen people were rescued by the Hawaii County Fire Department after attempting a quick swim in a mountain stream in the hills above Anna’s Ranch in Waimea Saturday afternoon.

The thirteen are lucky to be alive, the swim in a stream turned into a frightening ordeal.

Ten climbed out under their own steam, HCFD officials said the final three hikers were located on the rocks behind a large waterfall. This rescue required crews to scale down a cliff roughly 150 to 200 feet to reach the hikers. Conditions were reportedly dark, windy and rainy as the rescue stretched into the night.

Image for illustration.