Mount Olomana hiker airlifted in night rescue

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

In a rare night rescue, Honolulu Fire Department specialists early today brought out a hiker stranded on a narrow ledge about 130 feet from the peak of Mount Olomana.

The Waimanalo man, in his mid-30s, was exhausted but did not appear to be injured, Fire Rescue personnel said.

Rescue specialist Corey Lau was one of three firefighters who hiked for nearly an hour to reach the man after being dropped by helicopter into the brush at 1:40 a.m. The chopper lifted the man to safety at 4:15 a.m., Lau said.

Fire Dispatch was called at 11:54 last night about the stranded hiker, who had called 911 by cellular phone. The man told firefighters he began his hike to Mount Olomana from Keolu Hills at 1 p.m. and had reached the peak but ran into trouble on the way down.

The man said he was in a precarious position on the ledge, which led to the decision to do the night rescue.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com