Big Island firefighters rescued a hiker yesterday who had been stranded on a ledge for two days.

The 47-year-old man had been on a hunting and hiking expedition with seven friends. The group planned to move from Waimea to Waimanu Valley and on to Pololu, a long journey through a mountainous region.

The man got ahead of his party and fell more than 25 feet on Friday at about 10 a.m. When the other hikers found him, they stayed with him, signaling low flying aircraft with campfires and mirrors.

Yesterday, the pilot of an airplane notified air traffic controllers, who passed the word on to the Fire Department's Honoka'a station.

A fire department helicopter lifted the man out shortly after noon yesterday.

He had injuries to his head, right arm and left ankle and was taken to North Hawai'i Hospital in stable condition.

Fire damages Big Isle nursery

A fire at Hanano Nursery on the Big Island at about 7 a.m. yesterday caused $150,000 in damage to the greenhouse office, utility and work areas.

No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation.

HONOLULU

Military bus crashes, two hurt

Parts of Moanalua Freeway near Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center were closed yesterday after the driver of a military bus lost control and crashed into a median.

Two dozen Air National Guard medics from a Mainland unit were aboard the aging blue bus en route to Tripler Army Medical Center for annual summer training.

Two received minor injuries and were taken to Tripler by ambulance for treatment. The remaining airmen waited on an embankment near the highway for another bus. Some had suffered scratches and bruises.

Two eastbound lanes and one westbound were closed for about two hours.

Hospice to mark 25th anniversary

Hospice Hawai'i will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the organization's annual meeting and recognition dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 21. at the Hale Koa Hotel.

Awards will be given to the 2004 Physician of the Year, Dr. Shellie Williams; Community Supporter of the Year, Hui Maliu Mai, which is Kaiser Permanente's Palliative Care program; and Allied Health Care Professional of the Year, Carolyn Mueller of Wahiawa General Hospital. Sonja Ome and Nora Uyehara are Employees of the Year.

Reservations must be made by Friday. Call Erin or Lorrie at 924-9255.