West Hawaii Information Update for June 15th, 2019

Busy Day for West Hawaii Lifeguards

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with Ocean Safety Lifeguards were kept busy Saturday afternoon (June 15th) following several incidents along the West Hawaii shorelines and beaches. A High Surf Advisory for West Hawaii was in effect at the time of the incidents and it's unknown at this time if they were factors leading to the incidents.

At 12:25 pm, HFD Ocean Safety Jet Ski - 2, who was on patrol of the Kona Coast line, picked up swimmer in distress offshore Honl's Beach in Kailua-Kona. Jet Ski - 2 brought the swimmer back to shore at Honl's Beach and swimmer did not require EMS assistance.

At 12:33 pm, HFD Rescue Company 7 (Kailua-Kona) along with Jet Ski - 2, Chopper 1, Chopper 2, and Battalion 2 responded to report of kayak overturned offshore of Hulihee Palace on Ali'i Drive. Upon the arrival of HFD personnel, witnesses reported that a lone kayaker had overturned in the rough waters offshore of Hulihee Palace. Witnesses also reported a swimmer in the area was assisting the kayaker back to shore. Once on scene, they determined both the swimmer and the kayaker were on safely on shore. Jet Ski - 2 brought the kayak back to Kailua Pier. Kayaker in this incident refused EMS assistance and swimmer was uninjured.

At 2:58 pm, HFD Ocean Safety Lifeguards at Station 29 - Hapuna Beach State Park reported approximately 11 people were stung by Portuguese Man-O-Wars and were being tended to by Lifeguards for treatment. Lifeguards warned beachgoers of the Man-O-Wars in the area and as of 3:15 pm, did not receive more reports of people being stung. None of people stung required EMS transport and were all treated at the beach.

At 3:13 pm, HFD Ocean Safety Lifeguards at Station 22 - La'aloa (Magic Sands) Beach Park pulled out a near-drowning victim from the water at La'aloa Beach Park and they immediately began assessment of the patient (described to be a female in her teen's) until HFD Medic 12 arrived on scene, after further evaluation by Medic 12 personnel, female patient refused further medical treatment.

As of 4:30 pm Saturday afternoon, no further incidents were reported.