Posted on: Monday, December 23, 2002

Lost hikers told to wait for dawn

Advertiser Staff

Two women who became lost hiking on Kuli'ou'ou Valley Trail were spending the night outdoors last night, and rescuers said they would resume their search at first light today.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada said the hikers, ages 28 and 29, called by cell phone at 4:50 p.m. to say they were lost on the trail, near Hawai'i Kai.

A search was mounted on foot and using HFD's Air One helicopter. Windy, rainy conditions prevented the helicopter from being used for long, Tejada said.

A rescue party of 12 people hiked the trail searching for the women, but the hikers couldn't give their location, Tejada said. The search party was walking back out last night about 9 p.m.

"They're not hurt, they're OK," Tejada said. "They just don't know where they are. We're going to call them and let them know now that they'll have to spend the night, and that we'll be back looking for them first thing in the morning."