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Honolulu Emergency Services Department

Ka ʻOihana Lawelawe Ulia Pōpilikia o Honolulu

News and Updates

Keep up with the latest news from the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

Press Releases

Click on a title to view each press release.

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  • May 21, 2025
    • 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 […]
    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 […]
    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 […]
    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 […]
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    Family posing with rescuers

    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 Stories

    Media 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 story

    Honolulu 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 story

    National 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 story

    Iolani 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 story

    Hawaii 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 story

    Preliminary 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 beat

    HESD 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 fire

    Scores 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 swell

    Ocean 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 rescues

    At 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 story

    Videos

    Watch some of our featured videos.

    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

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