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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.

Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued a father and his 12-year old son Tuesday night after their 10- boat lost power just outside of Kahana Bay. The 911 distress call came in at 5:30 p.m. Lifeguards responded from Ehukai Beach Park on O'ahu's north shore. When they arrived, lifeguards launched their jet ski and located the pair drifting about a […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued 32 people Sunday, on Oahu's north shore and made more than 2,900 preventative actions. The majority of the rescues were at Waimea Bay, including a 22-year old military resident who was suffered an injury when he got washed up in the shore break. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded and evaluated the patent, who […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety with the Honolulu Fire Department responded to a 911 call this morning for two kayakers, in distress in the waters off of Portlock near Spitting Caves. The call came in from a witness on shore just after 8:00am. The kayakers,  a male and female, both 81-years O'ahu residents, were separated from their kayaks and found standing […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued two divers off of Lānaʻi Lookout this morning. The 911 call came in at 8:40am. Ocean Safety responded via jet ski and made contact with the divers just near the mouth of Hanauma Bay. After assessing the two scuba divers, lifeguards brought the male, 25, and female, 32, to shore safely with no […]
At 10:10am, Honolulu Ocean Safety responded with the Honolulu Fire Department for six snorkelers in trouble off of Kahe Point Beach Park. The six, four adults and two children were snorkeling when they got caught in the currents and were being pushed offshore. A bystander heard screams for help and swam out to assist, while […]
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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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