The Honolulu Fire Department said a man in his 20s fell roughly 30 feet while hiking Mānoa Falls Trail on Saturday evening and suffered leg and head injuries. According to Island News, firefighters reached the man and treated him before hoisting him out by helicopter. The department's account is available from the Honolulu Fire Department.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that crews conducted an initial medical assessment while other HFD personnel secured a landing zone for the air operation. Rescuers reached the hiker at 7:10 p.m. and provided basic life support. Air 1 then hoisted him aboard and flew him to a nearby landing zone, where Honolulu Emergency Medical Services assumed his care at 7:37 p.m.
A Familiar Aircraft for a Familiar Trail
The Honolulu Fire Department said it dispatched six units staffed by 17 personnel. Ground rescuers worked with the Air 1 crew during the hoist.
This rescue took place on Mānoa Falls Trail.
Trail safety history and comparable rescues
Records from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources show that Mānoa Falls Trail was closed in July 2019 for installation of a rockfall hazard mitigation fence near the falls, along with other trail safety improvements. DLNR also temporarily closed the trail in May 2025 after a fallen tree limb brought down bamboo and caused minor injuries to three people, according to the department.
The Honolulu Fire Department has handled similar incidents on other Oʻahu trails. In a separate case, HFD reported responding on Oct. 1, 2025, to an injured hiker on Olomana Ridge Trail in Kailua with six units staffed by 18 personnel. That incident involved a different trail and date and does not establish how frequently rescues occur on Mānoa Falls Trail.
Rockfall History and Off-Limits Warnings
The rescue account does not detail the waterfall's rockfall history or swimming guidance.
Mānoa Falls Trail is on Oahu. The rescue account does not rank Oahu trails by hike-related rescues.
Who Pays for the Helicopter
The article does not provide details about proposals to recover search-and-rescue costs from hikers.
The article does not provide comparative rescue totals by trail status. Saturday's fall occurred on Mānoa Falls Trail.
