Hiker Skewered On Lulumahu Falls Trail In Nuuanu, Cut Free In Muddy Rescue

A hike to Lulumahu Falls turned harrowing Wednesday when a man was impaled by a tree branch along the steep, muddy trail in Nuuanu. Honolulu firefighters freed him on the mountainside and carried him down to waiting medical crews. He was taken to a Honolulu hospital in serious condition.

Rescue at Lulumahu Falls

Multiple units responded after a 911 call came in around 11:30 a.m., according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Firefighters cut a roughly six-inch branch with an electric chainsaw to free the hiker, then carried him off the trail in a rescue litter—slow, muddy work on a slick slope.

Medical response and condition

Hawaii News Now reported the injured person was a 25-year-old man. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services administered advanced life support at the scene and rushed him to a nearby hospital in serious condition.

Trail history and permits

The Lulumahu Falls trail has seen multiple rescues in recent years, Honolulu Fire Department public notices show. The falls sit inside the Honolulu Forest Reserve, and the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife says reservations and permits are required for hikes in that watershed area; the route can be steep and slippery when wet.

Advice for hikers

Officials remind hikers to tell someone their plans, carry a charged phone, and wear sturdy footwear when tackling remote waterfall trails. The City’s Emergency Medical Services provides guidance on preparing for remote hikes and what to do if you encounter an emergency.

Officials have not released the hiker’s name and offered few immediate details beyond the rescue; authorities did not respond to an immediate request for comment. We will update this story if officials provide new information.