A 23-year-old man was rescued Thursday evening after apparently running into trouble while hiking the trail to Waimanu Valley.
Hawaii County Fire Department rescue personnel responded to Waipio Valley about 5:10 p.m. after dispatchers received a 911 call that subsequently disconnected. Upon arriving at the valley, the personnel made contact with the caller, a woman, who reported seeing a person on the trail to Waimanu Valley using a flashlight to signal people on the beach.
Rescue personnel then proceeded to the beach, where they saw the person signaling from approximately halfway up the trail, according to fire officials. The personnel then proceeded on foot to attempt to reach the hiker while additional rescue personnel aboard Hawaii County’s Chopper 1 responded by air.
The rescue personnel aboard the helicopter were first able to make contact with the hiker. They used a Billy Pugh basket to lift him from the trail, according to officials. The man reported no injuries to medical personnel.
All units were back in quarters by 8:15 p.m., according to the department.