News and Updates

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

Press Releases

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HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Sunday, marks one month since Honolulu Ocean Safety opened its newest official lifeguard tower at Kahe Point Beach Park. Ocean Safety installed the Kahe Point tower August 3rd, since then, lifeguards performed seven rescues and averaged more than 160 preventative actions a day. A preventative action is a lifeguard’s effort to prevent […]
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a five-year old boy who was found unresponsive at the bottom of a swimming pool. The 911 call came in just before 10:00 a.m. Sunday, at the address of 92-161 Waipahe Place. Bystanders noticed the boy and quickly pulled him out of the water and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Honolulu EMS arrived […]
HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – A blessing was held in Waipio this week to welcome eight new ambulances to the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services fleet. These new top of the line vehicles will replace ambulances that have come to the end of their service life. The new ambulances are Ford F350 models and customized by Leader Ambulances, […]
Just after 3:45 p.m., Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to a 911 call for five stand-up paddlers on the Mokulua Islands unable to get back to shore. Lifeguards responded via jet ski and truck. Lifeguards made contact with the group, two men and three women, who were being blown by high winds away from the islands. Lifeguards […]
Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued a 26-year old visitor from the Mokulua Islands May 7, 2023. The 911 call came in at 12:40p.m., for the man who fell roughly 15-feet, injuring his left knee and suffering multiple abrasions. Lifeguards via jet ski responded and within minutes of the call, secured the patient and brought him to Kailua Beach.  Onshore […]
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.

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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