Hiker falls 150 feet when rope snaps on scenic mountain trail, Hawaii rescuers say

A hiker’s safety equipment failed while on a scenic mountain trail and he plummeted 150 feet, Hawaii officials told news outlets.

The 24-year-old man was ascending Pali Notches Trail, on the island of Oahu, at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, when the rope he was holding onto snapped and he fell, the Honolulu Fire Department told HawaiiNewsNow.

Rescue crews arrived about 20 minutes later and started up the trail on foot, the outlet reported, adding that a helicopter flew to the hiker’s location at 5:10 p.m.

The hiker had multiple critical injuries, and a firefighter was able to get to him from the helicopter and perform first aid, KITV reported.

Rescuers airlifted the man out of the area and handed him over to EMS workers, officials told the station. From there, he was taken to a hospital, where he was last reported to be in critical condition.

Pali Notches Trail is a less than 10-mile drive northeast from downtown Honolulu.

It is a “is a short but intense hike,” according to AllTrails, and much of the trail is better suited for experienced hikers and climbers. “You gain a lot of elevation quickly to reach the ridge, but the views of the windward side and the rest of the Ko’olaus are stunning.”

This story was originally published August 31, 2025 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Hiker falls 150 feet when rope snaps on scenic mountain trail, Hawaii rescuers say."