Hawai‘i Fire Department rescues hiker following helicopter search

The Hawai‘i Fire Department on Tuesday responded to a report of two overdue hikers attempting to go past Waimanu Valley on the northeast coast of the Big Island.

The individual who reported the hikers’ absence said she had last heard from them four days prior. One hiker had claimed to be “unsure if they could make it back.”

In response, the Hawai‘i Fire Department established a command post and landing zone for its helicopter Chopper One. After extensive searching by air, the helicopter located the two overdue hikers on Laupāhoehoe Iki Point, a stretch of land along an oceanside cliff.

One hiker was extracted from the location and taken to the helicopter landing zone. The other refused extraction. No medical assistance was needed or wanted.