Kalalau Trail News

Will Schumacher will never forget the remarkable series of events that led to broken neck as well as his rescue. Will was on an annual church outing to Kalalau Beach on Friday, August 29, 2014 where he was jumping and playing in the waves.

The Coast Guard (Honolulu Command Center) responded to a medevac request from the Kauai Fire Department late on Thursday night, August 28, 2014. A 24-year old hiker had reportedly fallen from a remote part of the Kalalau Trail, along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. The Coast Guard arrived on scene around 12:04 am on Friday.

Several Kauai Firefighters were given national recognition for their part in the rescue of 121 hikers stranded at Hanakapiai when the stream flooded. They were awarded the 2014 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor. The ceremony was held in Dallas, Texas. They were nominated for the award by one of the persons rescued back in April.

On Friday, 2 days after the Kalalau Trail was closed due to Storms Iselle and Julio approaching, a 19-year old woman was swept downstream while attempting to cross the stream at Hanakoa. The woman, who had been camping at Kalalau with a 24-year old male friend, was last seen as she was swept away downstream. The friend attempted to find her as he made his way down to the shore but was unsuccessful. He then hiked out to contact authorities.