5 pulled from overturned boat in waters off Aina Haina during high surf

News admin June 15, 2026 0 Comments

5 pulled from overturned boat in waters off Aina Haina during high surf

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A woman was seriously injured, and four others were pulled from the waters off Aina Haina Sunday after a boat overturned in high surf, prompting a multi-agency response.

A high surf warning is in effect for the south-facing shores of all islands through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

First responders were alerted to a boater in distress at around 4:30 p.m., and it was reported that a 22-foot vessel carrying five people capsized in the surf break known as “Snipes.”

Honolulu firefighters, Ocean Safety and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene.

Crews with the Honolulu Fire Department arrived on scene just after 4:40 p.m. and saw the overturned boat in the water 200 yards offshore.

HFD launched a rescue boat and established a nearby landing zone in preparation for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by land and air.

Two firefighters with rescue boards and rescue tubes initiated search and resuce efforts.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Department personnel responded with rescue watercraft and brought all five boaters safely to shore.

Care was then transferred to EMS shortly before 5:10 p.m., and a 40-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

HFD’s rescue boat remained at the ocean scene and stayed outside of the surf break in deeper water as crews assessed boat recovery.

Fire officials said attempts to right the overturned boat and tow it into deeper water were unsuccessful because it was resting in about two feet of water.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources will be contacted to coordinate salvage operations with the boat’s owner.