2 Missing Maile Pickers Found After Spending Overnight in Forest

Two maile pickers were rescued after spending overnight in the forest north of Stainback Highway.

Initially reported just before 7 p.m. Thursday, April 8, search and rescue teams from the Hawai‘i Fire Department and Department of Land and Natural Resources searched the area till late that evening. Crews went back into the forest at first light on Friday, April 9.

HFD said the forest area was dense with few access roads.

The two men were eventually found in a heavily wooded area off of Stainback Highway. They had weathered rain, wind and cold temperatures.

Utilizing air and ground crews, HFD personnel was able to safely extricate the two men. One of the individuals was taken to Hilo Medical Center for a knee injury.