By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Honolulu Fire Department helicopter airlifted two college students from the shoreline below the Makapu'u Lighthouse after they were hit by a wave and injured this afternoon.

One man, 23, suffered a broken leg and the other man, 25, reported back pain, fire battalion chief Hiram Keliipio said. They were flown to an area near Sea Life Park, then taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center. Both are natives of Sweden, Keliipio said.

Keliipio said the men were among a dozen or more people who had hiked down to a pool below the lighthouse. Someone called for help on a cellular phone at 1:19 p.m., he said.

The other swimmers were not hurt and continued to swim in the area. They were not related to the injured men, Keliipio said.