13 Stranded Kayakers Rescued on Kauaʻi

Thirteen kayakers were rescued Thursday, Dec. 2, on Kauaʻi after getting stranded on Wailua River near Uluwehi Falls.

No injuries were reported.

Kauaʻi Fire Department were notified of the stranded kayakers at approximately 5 p.m. The callers stated that the river had risen and was impassable. They were reportedly stranded just past the kayak landing near the end of the trail to Uluwehi Falls.

Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 conducted an initial fly over the scene. However, due to the area’s conditions and safety concerns, Kapa‘a firefighters instead utilized KFD’s rescue boat, Whaler 1, and responded up the river.

At the kayak landing, personnel walked in and found the 13 people stranded across the river. Firefighters shuttled the 13 victims across the river using the kayaks at the site. Once all 13 people were safely across, they used their kayaks and proceeded down the river towards the Wailua Marina while Whaler 1 escorted them to safety.

The scene was cleared shortly after 7 p.m.