Twenty paddlers ended up in the drink about a mile off Hanauma Bay on Saturday when three outrigger canoes flipped in rough seas. Crews from multiple agencies, helped by nearby boaters, pulled everyone from the water and got them safely back to shore.
According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the Honolulu Fire Department received a 911 call and dispatched six units with about 20 personnel after the canoeists were spotted in distress. The first HFD unit reached Lanai Lookout and found at least one canoe overturned with paddlers in the water, while Honolulu Ocean Safety crews and good Samaritans on nearby vessels moved in to help. HFD’s rescue boat and other watercraft then towed the canoes back to shore and transported all 20 paddlers to the Hanauma Bay area.
How Crews Pulled Paddlers From The Surf
Firefighters and lifeguards typically rely on rescue boats and rescue watercraft to keep both victims and responders outside the heavy surf while they coordinate handoffs to Emergency Medical Services on shore. The Honolulu Fire Department’s news releases note that those tactics, combined with jet skis and designated landing zones for air units when needed, are standard for ocean rescues in the waters around Hanauma Bay; see the Honolulu Fire Department for background.
Rough Conditions Have Crews Busy This Month
High surf on the south side and shifty currents have kept first responders hopping in recent weeks. On June 14, crews pulled five people from a capsized 22-foot boat off Aina Haina, as Hawaii News Now reported. Officials say fast-changing conditions can swamp small craft such as outrigger canoes and recreational kayaks, turning what looks like a casual paddle into something a lot more hazardous.
Honolulu Ocean Safety and the city’s Emergency Services Department are urging paddlers to check marine forecasts, use escort boats when crossing open water, and wear Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices. The city’s emergency services site and lifeguard programs offer safety guides and training for ocean users; see the Emergency Services Department for resources.
There were no immediate reports of serious injuries, and city crews publicly thanked the good Samaritans who jumped in to help, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser noted. Authorities said they will review what happened as part of routine post-incident checks and reminded the public that conditions offshore can turn ugly in a hurry.
