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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.

At 11:20am, Honolulu Ocean Safety and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a 41-year old surfer who suffered a facial injury from a surfing accident at the surf break outside of Kaimana Beach. Lifeguards and Honolulu EMS administered medical treatment. She refused transport via EMS to an emergency room. Just before noon, lifeguards responded […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to an unresponsive swimmer today just before 10:00am off of Magic Island in the area of Ala Moana Beach Park. Lifeguards responded via jet ski and rescue paddle board and brought the woman, believed to be in her 40s, to shore. Onshore, Ocean Safety performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the […]
The Honolulu Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is cooperating with several city, state and federal agencies as the investigation into the cause of Wednesday’s fatal ambulance fire continues. EMS is working with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Hawaiʻi Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH), the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety and the Honolulu Fire Department rescued a 40-year old swimmer today off of Kahala Beach at the address of 4929 Kahala Avenue. At 1:27pm, Honolulu Ocean Safety received a 911 call for a male yelling for help roughly 30 yards offshore. Three people were on a floatie and were being blown out […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety continued to remain busy as the surf remained up on the south shore, though slightly smaller. Even if the swell continues to drop Honolulu Ocean Safety expects the crowds in the lineup to stay up. So we ask that those who are inexperienced to please continue to sideline themselves until it’s safer […]
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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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