An early swim at Makapuʻu Beach Park turned into a life-or-death emergency Friday morning when a woman in her 20s was swept into rough surf and later pulled from the water in critical condition, Honolulu officials said.
How the Early-Morning Rescue Unfolded
The Honolulu Fire Department said it received a 911 call at 6:36 a.m. reporting two swimmers in distress near Makapuʻu. A man managed to make it back to shore on his own, but a 22-year-old woman remained missing in the surf.
Fire crews and ocean safety rescuers searched the area and located the woman at about 7:07 a.m. She was pulled from the surf zone, where responders began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the sand. Emergency Medical Services then transported her to an emergency room in critical condition, according to Hawaii News Now.
What Officials Said About Ocean Conditions
According to Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Honolulu Ocean Safety officials said the pair had been about 50 yards offshore when rough water swept them out. Rescuers later found the woman roughly 8 feet underwater before bringing her to shore.
Ocean Safety Reminders
The Honolulu Fire Department is using the incident as a fresh warning for beachgoers: avoid jumping from rocks or ledges, stay within your swimming limits, and remember that sudden waves and strong currents can overwhelm even confident swimmers. Those tips were part of HFD guidance reported by Hawaii News Now, underscoring how quickly conditions at Makapuʻu can turn dangerous.
Makapuʻu Beach Park is known for its powerful shore break and is especially popular with bodyboarders and bodysurfers, according to the state tourism site GoHawaii. Officials urge both visitors and locals to check lifeguard advisories and current surf reports before heading into the water.
