Kohala Information Update for January 18th, 2021

Nine stranded hikers safely extricated from Pololu Valley Monday afternoon (January 18th).

Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) and Nevada (Laughlin) Team

info@hiradioscannercommunity.com

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) and the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a report of stranded hikers in Pololu Valley on Monday afternoon (January 18th).

The initial call came in at 1:49 pm Monday afternoon and HFD Crews from the North Kohala Fire Station along with Chopper 2 and HPD Officers from the North Kohala Patrol responded to the scene located on the Awini Trail on the Honoka'a side of Pololu Stream within Pololu Valley.

Upon the arrival of emergency crews, HFD Dispatch received a call from a reporting party who hiked up to the trailhead of Awini Trail (Pololu Valley Lookout) reporting that a total of nine hikers (all males and females) were stranded on the Awini Trail on the Honoka'a side of Pololu Stream due to flash flood and swollen river conditions from heavy rainfall that occurred around the North Hawaii region earlier on Monday morning. All hikers were uninjured and needed assistance getting out of Pololu Valley.

Once emergency crews arrived at the scene, due to the location of the hikers and dangerous conditions present, HFD personnel extricated all nine hikers out of Pololu Valley utilizing Chopper 2 to the Pololu Valley Lookout. All parties were uninjured and did not require further medical assistance.

Officials remind the public to check weather conditions and advisories posted prior to heading out any outdoor activities for the day.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island until Tuesday evening (January 19th).