News and Updates

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

Press Releases

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On October 29th, around 1:00 p.m., Honolulu Ocean Safety co-responded with the Honolulu Fire Department to three adults, one male and two females, who were in a dangerous location on the backside of Moku Nui, the larger of the two Mokulua Islands, Ocean Safety responded via jet ski and made contact with the patients. After assessing the patients medically, Ocean […]
Just after 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 20th, Honolulu Ocean Safety co-responded with the Honolulu Fire Department today to three adults, one male and two females, who were in a dangerous location on the backside of Moku Nui, the larger of the two Mokulua Islands, Ocean Safety responded via jet ski and made contact with the patients. After assessing the patients […]
On October 19th, just before 6:00 p.m., Honolulu Ocean Safety and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a 24-year old New York visitor who jumped off the rock ledge at China Walls, hit his head, knocking him unconscious. Surfers quickly paddled to the man, kept him afloat and brought him to shore on their surfboards. EMS […]
Just before 6:00 p.m., October 19th, Honolulu Ocean Safety and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a 24-year old New York visitor who jumped off the rock ledge at China Walls, hit his head and was swept out by the waves. Surfers quickly paddled to the man, kept him afloat and brought him to shore on […]
----Update #3 As of 4:00 p.m., Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued 15 people from the high surf and made more than 800 preventative actions along the north shore.  ----Update #2EMS continued treatment en route to an area emergency room. The patient was listed in serious condition. ----Honolulu Ocean Safety saved a 54-year old woman this morning who was pulled underwater in rough conditions at Sharks […]
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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