KAILUA-KONA — Four males were rescued by the Hawaii Fire Department Saturday evening at Cowboy Pond in Waimea.
The men, ranging from ages 18 to 22, were initially reported trapped above Anna’s Pond, also known as “The Place,” due to a fast-moving river with flash flooding conditions after nightfall.
The Hawaii Fire Department first received the call at about 6:07 p.m. According to Hawaii Police, fire personnel reported there was one male party who called it in and was stuck in a tree. There was another male party on a cliff face about 10-15 feet down and there were two other males on the Kawaihae side of the stream unable to cross and return to safety.
Two fire department members arrived at 6:25 p.m. and located all parties unharmed. Two males self-extricated, and a third male was assisted to safety, a press release from Hawaii Fire states.
The fourth male was located on the Kawaihae side of the river and required technical rescue. The patient was rescued by personnel and transported for examination.
The patient declined medical treatment and was released to HPD. Two of the younger males were not identified and left the scene prior to officer contact, according to police.
Police cited a 21-year-old Texas man and 22-year-old Indiana man for criminal trespass.