Kauai Travel Blog
Kauai authorities are once again reminding hikers to let others know of intended destinations and return times, to remain on marked trails, to be prepared with rations of food and water in case of emergencies, and to stay alert of changes in weather conditions. The reminder comes after first responders located a missing hiker on Kauai’s Mahaulepu Trail on Sunday, June 6th, 2021.
According to a preliminary report, first responders received a call from Kauai Police Department Dispatch of a missing 16-year-old visitor on the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail at approximately 2:35 p.m. on Sunday.
Crews with the Koloa fire station, Rescue 3, Air 1, Ocean Safety Bureau South Roving Ski patrol, and the on-duty Battalion Chief responded to the incident, reports the County of Kauai.
At 3:10 p.m., firefighters initiated their search on foot on the trail while OSB personnel conducted their search along the coastline. At 3:15 p.m., Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 was activated to conduct an aerial search of the area. At 3:35 p.m., firefighters located the hiker on the trail. According to reports, the hiker became separated from his group, trekked to Mahaulepu Beach, and later went back on the path to locate his family.
No injuries were reported.
Mahaulepu Trail at Google Maps
Though the Mahaulepu Trail is easy to navigate along the coastline, it is also easy to get separated from your group. There are multiple paths on the ridge that run parallel above the rocky coastline. The pathways are separated by heavy vegetation and there may not always be a line-of-sight with other members of a group. Our advice is to stay on the path closest to the coast, without (of course) getting dangerously close to the ledge.
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