Kaua'i Police Department officers were honored last Friday for their act of bravery following an incident earlier this year where they rescued a man from a precarious situation near Waikoko Beach in Hanalei. On June 22, following an automated iPhone collision report, officers responded to a scene where a vehicle was found teetering half-way down a cliff, threatening to take an injudicious plunge into the ocean with its transmission still engaged, as detailed in a Facebook post from the department.
Acting without delay, Officer Matthew Kaluahine made a daring rappel down to the vehicle, securing the car with tow straps and discovering an unresponsive male inside, per the department's social media update. With the ocean's drop a staggering 30 feet below, the officer's quick action prevented what could have been a certain catastrophic addition to the scene.
The heroes of the day, Officers Matthew Kaluahine, Jesse Castro, and Acting Sgt. Jason Scalzo, was celebrated by the Kaua‘i Police Commission for their courage and swift decision-making. The recognition was given amidst praise and acknowledgment of the risks taken by the officers to save a life in desperate circumstances.
According to the post, the Kaua‘i Fire Department arrived subsequently, completing the extraction of the individual who, thanks to the efforts of the aforementioned officers, lived to see another day. The commission's meeting on Friday served as the platform not just to honor these officers but also to remind the community of the daily risks their police force takes in ensuring public safety.
