Ill park ranger, visitor airlifted

Maui firefighters were kept busy with two rescues Wednesday in Haleakala National Park.

A park ranger had to be rescued from Haleakala Crater on Wednesday morning after having difficulty breathing and chest pains. The Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety reported the park ranger was airlifted from the Paliku area of the crater via rescue helicopter and taken to a landing zone outside the crater in the Hosmer Grove area. He was then taken to Maui Memorial Hospital by Maui medevac helicopter.

The rescue happened at 9:49 a.m., Maui authorities said. Medics and firefighters from Kula and the Air-1 rescue helicopter responded.

About 2 p.m., firefighters rescued a 21-year-old Chicago man who possibly dislocated his left knee after jumping from one of the Oheo Pools and landing on a rock 5 to 10 feet below.

The patient was airlifted by the Fire Department helicopter to a landing zone within the park, where medics treated him. The man was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Police to hold public meeting

The Hawaii Police Department will hold a community meeting on Aug. 20 to allow the public to talk about concerns in the South Kohala District with Police Chief Harry Kubojiri and area commanders.

The meeting will be from noon to 2 p.m. at the Hawaiian Homes hall in Waimea.

Those interested in participating but unable to attend may call Capt. Randall Medeiros at 887-3080, stop by the South Kohala police station in Waimea or email their concerns or comments to copsysop@hawaii­police.com.