Kawika Singson received an urgent email regarding three hunting dogs trapped in a lava tube, prompting him to make a nearly two-hour drive from Kona to the Ka’u District without hesitation.
The owner of the dogs, Bella, Pua, and Steven, had learned about Singson through social media, where he has documented several of his rescue missions in an effort to inspire hope within the community.
According to Singson, the dogs had become stuck approximately 30 feet down in a remote forest area while chasing a pig. “The dogs and the pig all disappeared into the hole,” Singson explained. “They could hear the pig and they could hear the dogs, but they could not see them. It was a deep, dark lava tube.”
After approximately seven hours of entrapment, Singson executed the rescue by rappelling down into the narrow opening and securing a harness around each dog one at a time before lifting them to safety. The muddy conditions added complexity to the operation, and although a 3.2 magnitude earthquake struck during the rescue, Singson reported that he did not feel it at the time.
Singson emphasized the importance of GPS trackers for pets, hoping this rescue will raise awareness among dog owners. “Half of the dogs I’ve rescued were saved because the owners had the foresight to put a GPS tracker on them,” he noted. “Without those trackers, the dogs could have perished in this thick, dense forest. It’s a simple investment that can save you the emotional turmoil of not being able to find your pet.”
While this was not Singson’s first rescue mission, it marked the first time he had rescued three dogs simultaneously. “The dog just totally surrenders to me,” he shared. “I can feel the relief in them. That moment is priceless.”
With every rescue, Singson continues to experience the same gratifying feeling. “One-on-one, I can feel the dog’s gratitude. It’s like they’re saying thank you,” he said.
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