Trapped hikers rescued on Big Island

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

Big Island firefighters rescued two dozen hikers trapped on the wrong side of a raging stream Saturday in Waimanu Valley and then extricated another four who had made it across the torrent.

Another two hikers were able to hike out to Waipi'o, Fire Capt. Clint Coloma said.

The Waiakea Fire Station got a call at 9:51 a.m. that two hikers were overdue in the valley. In a rescue effort directed by Capt. Michael Matsui, the department's helicopter arrived on the scene by 10:31 a.m.

It became clear that another 28 hikers were in trouble because of heavy rains that brought the stream to dangerous levels, and left the trail itself in marginal condition, Coloma said.

The helicopter airlifted 24 hikers out of the valley.

A ground search crew found four more hikers on the trail and called in the chopper to lift the four out to safety.

One hiker rescued from the valley complained of nausea and stomach pain, and was sent to an area hospital for treatment.

In addition to the chopper, four other fire units were used in the operation.

The rescue effort, in the lightly forested area near the stream and dense forest with heavy canopy overhead in other areas, continued until after 4 p.m., with the last unit back in quarters by 4:43 p.m., Coloma said.

Reach Walter Wright at wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8054.