First responders rescued two hikers on Hihimanu Trail in Hanalei on Thursday, August 12th, 2021, reports the County of Kauai.
According to a preliminary report, first responders received a report at approximately 12:40 PM on Thursday of two female residents in distress on the Hihimanu Trail.
Crews with the Hanalei fire station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and American Medical Response responded to the incident.
Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 located the hikers at 1:30 PM at the top of the trail.
According to a preliminary report, the two hikers were unable to hike down due to “weakness, sickness, and fear of heights.” First responders secured both hikers to Air 1 and transported them to awaiting firefighters and personnel with American Medical Response to a landing zone near the Okolehao Trail.
Responding medics with AMR assessed and treated one of the hikers, while the other declined treatment. Both hikers also declined medical transport.
These two hikers are not the first to be distressed on this trail.
Above: Hihimanu’s “twin peaks” can be seen in the upper middle of this photo.
The Hihimanu Trail is an extension of the Okolehao Trail that takes hikers farther up the Hanalei mountains to twin peaks. The trail begins after the scenic overlook with the benches on the Okolehao Trail. After the benches, the trail becomes overgrown with multiple steep sections that require rope climbing. There are at least two dozen steep sections that must be climbed using ropes that are in place. Rock climbing experience is recommended if tackling this trail. There are also sharp drop offs on both sides of the trail. Because of these difficulties we do not recommend this trail to the average hiker, and we do not recommend this trail to anyone, regardless of climbing experience, if the trail is muddy (which is often). When wet, both the trail and the ropes are slick.
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