BY SARAH BLANE FOR KAUAI COUNTY – While canvassing the Hanakāpī’ai Valley this morning, Kaua’i’s Recue 3 personnel aboard Air 1 came across three females attempting to cross the Hanakāpī’ai Stream with what appears to be a rescue tube and an inflatable pool float.
Luckily, Rescuers were able to get to the group in time to direct them not to cross the stream until the water receded.
They were not in need of medical attention and did not need to be airlifted from the area and agreed to wait for safer conditions before crossing.
Had they attempted to cross the stream, it is very likely someone would have been injured – or died.
The incident occurred earlier today during a Flash Flood Warning.
A New York woman died on Feb. 21 while trying to cross the swollen Hanakāpī’ai Stream when she was swept downstream.
Two Rescue Specialists spent that night in the valley with 53 other hikers who were stranded overnight.
All were assisted across the stream the next morning.