18-year-old Oahu man rescues two Florida tourists at China Walls

FILE – Kahikina Karima pulls up a second visitor from Florida at China Walls after they got into trouble in a dangerous spot.

HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (KHON 2) — Lifeguards are hoping rescue floaties will become more common after an 18-year-old local boy used one to save several tourists in distress at China Walls on Tuesday, June 4.

Officials stressed that people should still call 911 if the tubes are in use.

Kahikina Karima said the two tourists from Florida hadn’t paid much attention to the warnings they heard from locals at China Walls on Tuesday.

“They jumped in, saying they could swim better than the girl, but were already struggling. The water was flat but the waves were coming in. I told them to hurry and told him: ‘Get off, get off!’ One of them got off but the other stayed on the surface,” Karima said.

Karima threw the man a rescue tube, which he quickly grabbed before he stopped breathing. Authorities said calling 911 should have been the first step, but they’re glad Karima was there.

“Local knowledge, local people out here in the water, is a big help,” said Lt. Kawika Eckert with Honolulu’s Ocean Safety Office. “Call 911, get dispatched. We’re usually on the beach. We’ll respond right away. Then get the rescue tube over to them, swim away from the cliff, relax, and we’ll be on our way.”

While KHON2 was in China Walls on Friday, June 7, there was even an uncomfortable moment for the California family.

“Yeah, that was mind-blowing, so I was like, ‘Oh, I get it,’ so I grabbed my son and I was like, ‘Hey, let’s understand the physics and how waves work. You’re not in control here. The waves are,'” Allison Zarabi said.

Karima pulled the two tourists from the water and called 911. Emergency medical services said a 20-year-old man was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Marine safety officials said waves come in sets, so the water may have appeared flat when tourists first arrived.

“Then, maybe every minute or two, a set would come in and all of a sudden they’d turn around,” Lt. Eckert said.

Officials were grateful to locals for helping to rescue the visitors from the water, but said without the rescue tubes residents may not have had a chance.

“That life tube saved thousands of lives. It’s incredible,” Lt. Eckert said. “Even when we got there, we knew that without that life tube, that man would not be alive today.”

Hawaii Kai Lions Club Tube provided It will be held in East Oahu in January 2024.

“We hope other organizations will sponsor them and place them around the island,” Lt. Eckert said.

There are currently 20 rescue tubes stationed along the east coast of Oahu. click here For more details: