Press Releases
Click on a title to view each press release.
HESD Kept Busy Christmas DayDecember 25, 2022
It was a busy Christmas day for first responders. Honolulu Ocean Safety co-responded with Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Police Department to seven 911 calls across the island today. One of those calls was for a 48-year old body boarder at Makapu'u Beach Park who was found unresponsive in the […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued multiple patients this afternoon when a large 10-foot wave washed onshore on the rocky ledge at Sharks Cove and swept two into the ocean, injuring many others. The incident happened just before 2:00 p.m. Ocean Safety was patrolling the area by ski at the time the wave caught more than a dozen people off-guard. Lifeguards […]
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services co-responded with the American Medical Response on a mass casualty this afternoon at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The call came in at 11:06 a.m. A Hawaiian Airlines flight, inbound from Phoenix, Arizona, experienced severe turbulence roughly 30 minutes outside of Honolulu. On scene, paramedics and emergency medical technicians treated 36 […]
Distressed Couple Rescued Off Kahala BeachDecember 4, 2022
Honolulu Ocean Safety assisted in the rescue of a couple off of Kahala Beach Sunday afternoon. The 911 call for two swimmers in distress came in just before 3:45 p.m. Lifeguards responded via jet ski while a Good Samaritan in the area, assisted the two onto his vessel. Lifeguards transferred the male and female, both said to be 26-years old, […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety Rescues Father and Son Off Kahana BayNovember 29, 2022
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 […]
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 StoriesMedia Coverage
Read some of the latest news stories published by our media partners.
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 storyIolani 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 storyHawaii 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 storyPreliminary 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 beatHESD 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 fireScores 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 swellOcean 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 rescuesAt 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 storyVideos
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