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The following is a press release from KH6ML:

HONOLULU, HAWAII — September 16, 2026 — What began as an early-morning Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air activation at one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks unexpectedly turned into an opportunity for an amateur radio operator to put years of emergency preparedness and communications training to practical use.

A short video documenting the Diamond Head activation and emergency response is available here: https://youtu.be/_GO4as2CSvc

Michael Miller, KH6ML, began hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail on Oahu at approximately 7:15 a.m. Wednesday morning. His plan was to complete a combined POTA and SOTA activation before heading to his full-time job as a partner at Tiki’s Grill & Bar in Waikiki.

Operating portable from the summit with an FX-4CR HF transceiver at approximately 20 watts, a small Bioenno battery, end-fed wire antenna and an AnyTone VHF/UHF handheld, Miller completed 11 contacts.

His activation included Diamond Head State Preserve, POTA US-6425; Diamond Head Summit State Trail, US-10913; and the Diamond Head SOTA summit, KH6/OH-025.

Moments after completing his 11th contact, a visitor approached Miller and asked if he could help. A woman had collapsed inside the observation bunker below the summit.

Miller immediately left his HF station behind, took his handheld radio and headed toward the patient while calling 911. Because of uncertainty about cellular coverage inside the reinforced structure, Miller also advised amateur radio operators with whom he had been communicating to stand by in case an alternate communications path became necessary.

The patient, a visitor from Japan, was traveling with her husband and adult daughter. Miller began gathering information from the family and relaying it to emergency dispatchers while Honolulu Fire Department personnel responded.

“The 911 dispatchers were extremely professional,” Miller said. “They were calm, direct and focused on getting the information the responding crews needed. The communication between dispatch and the field response was impressive.”

Honolulu Fire Department personnel reached the bunker and assumed care of the patient. Additional firefighters and rescue personnel followed with medical and rescue equipment. The difficult location required responders to develop a plan for moving the patient from the confined bunker and across the steep summit terrain.

A helicopter was subsequently brought into the response.

“The professionalism of the firefighters was remarkable,” Miller said. “They climbed Diamond Head carrying their equipment, immediately assessed the situation and went to work.

Miller later accompanied the patient’s daughter down the trail and helped her reconnect with her family and emergency personnel at the base of Diamond Head.

Later that afternoon, Miller received a message from the family thanking him for his assistance and reporting that the woman was doing well and the family had returned to their hotel.

For Miller, the incident also demonstrated how the skills developed through amateur radio can complement broader emergency-preparedness training.

“Did ham radio help? I think it was one piece of the puzzle,” Miller said. “Amateur radio teaches us to communicate clearly, know our location, pass information accurately and think about what happens when normal communications aren’t available. Add CERT training, Red Cross training, Scouting and other life experiences, and hopefully you’re a little better prepared when somebody needs help.”

Miller serves as a Deputy Coordinator for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) for the City and County of Honolulu. He is also an Assistant Section Manager and Government Liaison for the ARRL Hawaii Section. Outside amateur radio and emergency communications, Miller is a partner at Tiki’s Grill & Bar in Waikiki.

The incident was a reminder that while POTA and SOTA provide amateur radio operators with opportunities to practice portable operations, antennas, low-power communications and field deployment, those same habits of preparedness can have applications far beyond making contacts.

“I went up Diamond Head looking for radio contacts,” Miller said. “The most important contact I made that morning wasn’t on the radio.”

73 from KH6ML

Source: KH6ML

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