A day at the waterfront took a terrifying turn on Saturday when a man in his 20s was swept into the ocean near Magic Island and left in critical condition. Lifeguards pulled him from a rocky outside break, and he was unresponsive by the time rescue crews reached him.
Rescue and response
Honolulu Ocean Safety reported that it received a call on Saturday about an unresponsive swimmer near Magic Island. Rescue operators reached the man in the water off a rocky outside break known locally as Bomboras, pulled him out, and brought him to shore near tower 1G. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services then stepped in, providing advanced life support on the sand before rushing him to an Oahu emergency room in critical condition, according to KITV.
Where it happened
The rocky breaks just outside Magic Island are a magnet for thrill-seekers but can quickly turn dangerous, with steep shore breaks and powerful currents that catch swimmers and cliff-goers off guard. Lifeguards have carried out multiple high-risk rescues in the same area in recent years, including a June 2024 incident that left a man in critical condition, as reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Officials urge caution…