Kaua‘i incident briefs for July 29, 2021

Injured California hiker on Kukui Trail Tuesday

KOKE‘E — First responders rescued an injured 48-year-old male hiker in Koke‘e on Tuesday, July 27.

According to a preliminary report fro the county, first responders received a report around 1:25 p.m., of an injured California visitor with a knee injury on the Kukui Trail in Koke‘e.

Crews with the Waimea fire station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and American Medical Response responded to the incident.

Soon after, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 located the hiker 1.5 miles into the trail, secured the visitor to Air 1, and transported him to awaiting firefighters and personnel with American Medical Response to a landing zone near the Kukui Trail.

Responding medics with AMR assessed the hiker, who later declined medical treatment.

The scene was cleared at approximately 3 p.m.

Missing Kealia woman found

LIHU‘E — With public assistance, the Kaua‘i Police Department was able to find a missing Kealia woman.

Dawn Marie Gates, 51, was announced missing on Monday in the Lihu‘e area and was found Tuesday evening.

“Gates was safely found last night in the Puhi area and returned home,” a county press release stated.

‘Undetermined’ source caused burn in Moloa‘a last week

MOLOA‘A — A July 15 fire in Moloa‘a that caused an estimated $965,000 in damages had an “undetermined” source, according to the Kaua‘i Fire Department.

“Due to the extensive fire damage, structural collapse in the area of origin, and lack of eyewitness testimony, KFD Investigators cannot confirm any single ignition source,” the KFD Fire Prevention Bureau said in a statement. “Therefore, the final cause has been categorized as undetermined until further evidence can prove otherwise.”

The fire, which displaced six residents earlier this month torched a two-story dwelling on Ko‘olau Road.

Personnel from the Kapa‘a, Kaiakea, and Lihu‘e fire stations; Rescue 3; Air 1; the Fire Prevention Bureau; the on-duty Battalion Chief; Kaua‘i Police Department; the Department of Public Works; and the American Red Cross responded to the incident.

Woman arrested after single-vehicle crash

LIHU‘E — A 39-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday evening following a single-vehicle accident along Kapule Highway.

Around 11:20 p.m., Tuesday night, Kaua‘i Police Department officers responded to the accident near mile marker 3 by the Kapule Highway Bridge.

A 2012 red Jeep Compass operated by the female struck a speed limit sign and median on the east shoulder of the highway. Damage was caused to the vehicle and speed limit sign, according to KPD.

The woman was subsequently arrested for suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant.
Source: The Garden Island