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Kauai Fire Department rescues 32 stranded hikers


The waters at Hanakapiai Stream in Kauai.

The Kauai Fire Department rescued 32 stranded hikers from the Kalalau trail Wednesday after rising waters made Hanakapiai Stream too dangerous to cross.

At about 5 p.m., a hiker who was able to cross the stream headed to the trailhead and called the fire department. 

A rescue crew aboard the department’s Air One helicopter airlifted all of the stranded hikers across the stream to a landing zone at Kee Beach by nightfall. 

No injuries were reported, according to a news release. 

In December, firefighters airlifted 62 people out of the valley when heavy rains made streams too swollen to cross. More than 120 hikers, including several children, had to be rescued in the valley in April after being stranded by the rising stream.

Officials reminded hikers not to cross rising stream waters because it could result in significant injury or death. They advised hikers to wait until it’s safe to cross the stream or until help arrives. 

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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