Press Releases
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Honolulu Ocean Safety Rescues Woman At Three TablesApril 16, 2024
On April 16th, Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued a 42-year old woman from the surf at Three Tables. The 911 call came in just around 12:20 p.m. for the visitor who was struggling to stay afloat on a boogie board. An Ocean Safety Lieutenant responded and swam out to the woman. He secured her and brought […]
First Responders Rescue Four Off Of Spitting CavesApril 16, 2024
On April 16th, 2024, Honolulu Ocean Safety, the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to four adult male swimmers who jumped off of Spitting Caves and were unable to get out on their own. The 911 call came in at 11:23 a.m. for the men who were struggling in the surf. A […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety Responds To Two Separate 911 CasesMarch 19, 2024
On Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to two separate incidents involving swimmers in distress. The first incident was at 1:45 p.m. near the Mokulua Islands in Kailua, where one swimmer was reported to be in distress. After a thorough search of the area it was determined that no individuals were in need of assistance. The second […]
On Sunday, March 17th, 2024, Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued a father and his teenaged son who were caught in the surf at Ke Iki Beach. The 911 call came in just before 2:30 p.m. Lifeguards swam and paddled out to them with rescue tubes and brought the two beyond the crashing surf and kept them […]
On Monday, March 11th, 2024, Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued four people following two separate 911 calls, both in the area known as Freddyland on the north shore. The first 911 call came in at 12:20 p.m. for two female surfers, in their 20s, who were witnessed to be struggling 200 yards offshore. Lifeguards via jet ski, all-terrain vehicle and truck responded. […]
Survivor Reunion Stories
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and Honolulu Ocean Safety have played a vital role in countless survivor stories throughout their rich histories. Read some of the heartwarming survivor stories that have been documented over the years.
Read the StoriesMedia Coverage
Read some of the latest news stories published by our media partners.
Honolulu Ocean Safety On Patrol During North Shore's Winter 2023
Hawaii News Now's Lynn Kawano and Photographer Peter Tang follow along with the lifeguards on the north shore.
watch the HNN storyHonolulu Ocean Safety, Honolulu EMS Reunite With Surfer Who Nearly Drowned at Pipeline
Hawaii News Now was there when 25-year old Austin Gibbons and his mother thanked the heroes who helped to save his life.
watch the HNN storyNational Telecommunications Week 2023: What to know before you need to call 911.
KHON interviews Ocean Safety dispatcher to learn how to be prepared when calling 911 for an ocean emergency.
Read the khon storyIolani School Teacher Saves Life Of Elderly Choking Victim
Honolulu EMS talks to HNN about the importance of knowing life-saving measures and thanks the Good Samaritan for stepping in to help.
Read the hawaii news now storyHawaii sees dramatic increase in fentanyl-related overdoses reported in September
The deadly drug fentanyl has surfaced in Honolulu. Hawaii News Now talks to EMS about what crews are seeing on the road.
Read the hawaii news now storyPreliminary Investigations Find Oxygen Connection Started Ambulance Fire
Separate investigations conducted on the fire that erupted in an EMS ambulance in August 2022, found it sparked when the main oxygen link was connected to a portable oxygen tank.
Read the Story on civil beatHESD Director Gives Update On The EMS Ambulance Fire
Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Jim Ireland gives an update on the tragic ambulance fire, that left a patient dead and an EMS paramedic critically injured.
Read the update on the EMS ambulance fireScores of Ocean Rescues Made on Oʻahu’s South Shore During ‘Historic’ South Swell
Warnings about a “historic” south swell with waves approaching 20 feet and dangerous rip currents predictably did little to keep surfers out of the water Saturday, leaving Honolulu Ocean Safety personnel to handle the consequences.
Read About the historic swellOcean Safety Crews Report a Busy Day in Oʻahu’s Waters
Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards made a number of rescues today around Oʻahu of people in the ocean who found themselves in trouble.
Read about the rescuesAt 10, He’s Credited With Saving His Mom’s Life. All in a Day’s Work for This ‘Junior Paramedic’
Cody Agnell helped save his mom's life with his quick thinking and call to 911.
Read Cody's storyVideos
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KITV4 Rides With Honolulu EMS During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Highlighting Heroes
Honolulu Ocean Safety Keeping the South Shore Safe
Hawaiʻi News Now Follows EMS Through the Coronavirus Pandemic
Honolulu EMS: Coronavirus Crusade