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62 hikers airlifted off Kauai’s Kalalau Trail

Kauai firefighters rescued 62 hikers stranded in Kalalau Valley on Wednesday after several streams flooded and became impassable, Kauai County said.

Firefighters were called Wednesday morning and were told a few hikers were stranded in the valley and may have been there for several days with dwindling supplies. 

A fire crew flew in by helicopter and began airlifting people out from the valley.

One man sustained a non-life threatening injury and was flown to Princeville Airport, where paramedics were waiting to take him to the hospital.

The rescue came after several hikers ignored warnings from a state park attendant that Kalalau Trail was closed because of hazardous weather conditions.

Kauai County said park closure signs were posted at the Kalalau trailhead Monday morning and a Department of Land and Natural Resources attendant was posted at the trailhead, warning hikers of the park closure and potential hazards.

Several hikers ignored the warning and continued on, the county said.

The state park remains closed Wednesday and will reopen when conditions improve.

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