#Ocean Safety

A High Surf Warning kept Maui’s Ocean Safety Officers busy over the weekend, on both the North Shore and the Upper West side of the island, with Jetski operators remaining on-duty until sunset as a precaution.

A kayaker who was fishing about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Olowalu on Monday morning was rescued after he was unable to return to shore due to winds.

Two visitors were pulled unresponsive from waters on the north side of the ʻĀhihi-Kinaʻu Natural Area Reserve in South Maui on Saturday afternoon. Emergency responders were called to a report of swimmers/snorkelers in distress about 100-150 yards offshore at around 12:02 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2024. Authorities have since identified the victims as a 26-year-old woman and 25-year-old man, both residents of Washington state.

The County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety added two new Ocean Safety officers to their force after the graduation of Recruit Class 7.

Ocean safety crews rescued simmers in distress during two separate incidents at Nāpili Bay Saturday.

A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of Jason “Jay” Carter, the 39-year-old resident of Haʻikū who died Dec. 30 from a shark bite while surfing at Pāʻia Bay on the North Shore of Maui.

Underwater search efforts for human remains that began last Saturday, continued today in near-shore waters near the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor and along the Front Street breakwater. 

American Medical Response reminds beachgoers of lifesaving tips to stay safe while enjoying the ocean.

A male surfer was pulled unresponsive from waters about a half mile off of Kanahā Beach Park Friday morning, Maui fire officials said.

Ocean Safety personnel and Fire crews responded to multiple emergency calls in the areas of Kapalua Bay and Nāpili Bay at around 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

A 53-year-old male visitor was pulled unresponsive from waters off Kāʻanapali in West Maui on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2021. Maui Fire Department crews responded to the beach area fronting 104 Kāʻanapali Shores Place for a report of a possible drowning. The incident was reported at around 3:35 p.m. Crews from Ladder 3 out of […]

The Maui Police Department issued a list of safety reminders today with suggestions on ways to avoid hazards, danger and injury when outdoors. Police advise the public to be especially mindful of weather conditions and their immediate surroundings.

Residents comprised eight of nine fatal ocean drownings in Hawai‘i since April (compared to only four of the 14 fatal drownings from January through March, the pre-lockdown period in Hawai‘i).

The Hawai’i Department of Health is encouraging adults and seniors to take precautions to stay healthy in observance of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. Annually, about 160 people require medical treatment for a spinal cord injury – caused by a sudden blow to the spine that can result in temporary or permanent paralysis.

A 59-year-old Colorado man was medevaced from DT Fleming Beach in Honokahua on Maui after being pulled from the water with a possible spinal injury.

Emergency crews helped the owner of a sailboat tow the vessel away from a seawall near Kamehameha Iki Park in Lahaina, after it broke free from its mooring…

Maui police have since identified the man as 77-year-old Frank Beecher Wooding of Haʻikū.

Visitors comprise more than half (55%) of the victims of ocean drownings and suffer 81% of ocean related spinal cord injuries.

The Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety announced the promotion of Ocean Safety Officer Jeff Lombardi to the rank of Lieutenant.

A 63-year-old male visitor was rescued from waters off of Kāʻanapali on Sunday morning, Feb. 3, 2019.