58-Year-Old Visitor Airlifted From Kōkeʻe State Park's Nualolo Trail After Ankle Injury

A 58-year-old woman visiting from California was airlifted from Kōkeʻe State Park's Nualolo Trail after suffering an apparent ankle injury, prompting a multiagency rescue that underscores the challenges of remote trail emergencies on Kaua‘i.

Kaua‘i Fire Department received the report of the injured hiker shortly before 1:25 p.m. on Tuesday. First responders reached the scene and located the woman about three miles into the Nualolo Trail, where firefighters administered initial first aid and prepared her for evacuation, according to a county news release.

Because of the location and the injury, crews performed a short-haul helicopter extraction to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration landing zone, a designated helicopter pickup area used for remote rescues. Upon arrival at the NASA landing zone, the hiker was transferred to Waimea Fire Station personnel and American Medical Response for further care, and was then transported to a nearby hospital. The rescue scene was cleared shortly after 2:05 p.m.

The incident involved cooperation among Kaua‘i Fire Department crews, Waimea Fire Station staff, and American Medical Response, demonstrating the coordinated response network that serves the island's more remote parks and trails. Nualolo Trail is a popular destination for visitors and residents alike, and this event highlights the potential for injury even on well-known routes.

For locals and visitors, the episode is a reminder of the importance of preparedness when hiking in Kōkeʻe and other upland areas. Proper footwear, a simple first-aid kit, and a plan to notify someone of your route and expected return can make a critical difference if an injury occurs far from roadway access. The quick response also illustrates the value of established landing zones and trained short-haul capabilities in reducing patient evacuation time.

Kaua‘i County's release provided the sequence of events and the agencies involved but did not include further medical details about the hiker's condition. Officials cleared the scene roughly 40 minutes after the initial report, limiting impact to trail access during the rescue.

As island weather and trail conditions can change rapidly, residents and visitors should treat backcountry hikes with caution and respect for the terrain. This rescue serves as both reassurance that emergency services can reach remote locations quickly and a cautionary note that even experienced hikers can be sidelined by a single misstep.