Hiker dies at Hanakāpī‘ai Falls

Published on January 16, 2024

HĀʻENA – The Kaua‘i Police Department has identified a 30-year-old male who died at Hanakāpī‘ai Falls in Hāʻena on Sunday, Jan. 14, as Matthew Wu of New York.

According to a preliminary report, first responders received a report of a male falling off Hanakāpī‘ai Falls Trail at approximately 11:45 a.m. Sunday. The hiker apparently fell off the trail and was located approximately 30 feet below Hanakāpī‘ai Falls.

Personnel with the Kaua‘i Fire Department and Air 1 assisted in recovering the victim. The investigation is ongoing and an autopsy is pending.

“The Kauaʻi Police Department would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Wu,” said Kennison Nagahisa, Acting Captain of KPD’s Investigative Services Bureau.

Volunteers with Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, and the Visitor Aloha Society of Kauaʻi (VASK), a nonprofit that provides emergency needs for visitors, are assisting the victim’s family.

Portions of the Hanakāpī‘ai Falls Trail are very narrow and the dropoff is severe. The Kauaʻi Police Department would like to remind the public to use caution when hiking Kauaʻi’s trails, especially in wet weather.

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