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Kauaʻi First Responder Overcomes Odds Thanks to Wilcox Care Team

Published Oct. 3, 2023

A woman and man stand with their teenage daughter and teenage son on the shore of Hanalei Bay on Kauai.

The Reason 2023

Fire Rescue captain and waterman Makali‘i "Maka" Andrade’s life is built around the ocean, and tow-in hyrdrofoil surfing is one of his favorite sports to enjoy.

In December 2022, Maka went hydrofoil surfing off Hanalei Beach. As he glided over the water, a wave overtook him. Maka was hurled into the ocean, and the blade attached to the bottom of his hydrofoil board sliced through his neck, severing his trachea and larynx. Immediately following the accident, Maka was rushed by jet ski and ambulance to Wilcox Medical Center.

Maka arrived at the Wilcox Emergency Department and was placed under the care of Otolaryngologist Dr. Ross Shockley.

Dr. Shockley performed an emergency tracheostomy and stabilized Maka's condition.

Over the next several months, Maka worked diligently with his team to relearn how to swallow liquids and, eventually, small bites of food.

Because the accident had severely damaged his vocal chords, the likelihood he would ever speak again was low. However, Maka overcame the odds and regained the ability to speak.

With the support of his family, friends and care team at Wilcox, Maka is already back in the ocean and continues his road to recovery.


Watch the video below for Maka's full story and to hear from Maka, his family and Dr. Shockley about this inspiring story of hope.

View transcript
[Music]
I could swim before I can remember. Just grew up on the beach surfing, sailing, kiteboarding, when foiling came along yeah gave me a new life. The winging you can do it when it's windy and then dove winging when it's big. Just like flying over the ocean, it's awesome.
We pulled up to the scene and the fire captain walked right up to my door because I was driving and he says it's Maka. When it's someone that you've worked with for as long as we have and have known as long as I have it's it it's hard.
And off we went. Patty was driving like a bat out of hell.
All hands on deck, there was people doing blood pressures for me my partner was starting an IV but for the most part him staying calm he really you know played a huge role in keeping himself alive.
And I notice on my phone that his brother is calling me. Maka's been in an accident he's stable he's on his way to the hospital it was really scary because I didn't know how bad his injury was and I didn't know if he was gonna make it to the hospital and I didn't know if I was gonna ever see him alive again.
From the time Maka came into the ER he had the great Physicians uh Dr. Schumacher and Dr. Miyashiro and Dr. Shockley. They were all there at the right times and ready to do their jobs.
His trachea and his larynx were just totally separated. The question is okay now we need to fix this. Using suture, I was able to suture together the trachea and kind of tied them all sequentially to get it all together.
Shockley comes out and started the conversation with wow your husband is amazing. The extent of his injuries nobody survives that kind of stuff. 
My first memories were just "be happy to be alive, be happy to be there. Grateful"
We start to have a discussion, what are your goals? All Makali‘i’ said is like I just want to get back in the water.
What would my life be without the ocean? It wouldn't be a life worth living to me.
In the months that followed we were really fortunate that his healing was just pristine. I think this situation speaks to the fact that this hospital can handle traumatic life-threatening injuries. When a member of our community is hurt in a way where there's not even time to send them to Oʻahu the people here can stand up and take care of that person.
I can't begin to thank them all and I won't stop thanking them all and I can't repay the gratitude that I have for all of those people.
[Music]

Fire Rescue captain Makali‘i “Maka” Andrade’s life is built around the ocean. One day when hydrofoil surfing off Hanalei Bay, the blade attached to the bottom of his board sliced through his neck, severing his trachea and larynx. Maka was immediately rushed to Wilcox Medical Center for an emergency tracheostomy. Usually the one saving others, Maka now put his trust in the hands of Wilcox’s care team. Watch the video to learn more about Maka’s inspiring story and find out how he’s doing today.

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