Injured hiker, lost for days without food or water, rescued by Hawai‘i Island firefighters

A wounded hiker – believed to be lost for days without food or water – was rescued Wednesday by Big Island firefighters in the forest off Kamaili Road in Pāhoa.

Firefighters reached the scene at about 12:29 p.m. to investigate a resident’s belief she could hear someone yelling for help.

After confirming someone was indeed calling out in distress, firefighters belonging to the Pāhoa fire station, Battalion 1A and rescue company 02 were dispatched to blaze a trail through the bushes, reaching the individual’s location by maintaining vocal contact.

The person – not identified by name in a preliminary report issued by the Hawai‘i Fire Department – was assessed and carried out of the forest to the awaiting medic unit.

It was determined the person fell while hiking in the bushes and injured himself. He was thought to be in the forest for two to three days without food or water but was found to be alert and oriented but very weak with multiple injuries.