Lost Hiker Airlifted After 4 Days on Pali Trail

MauiNow.com file image.

By Wendy Osher

A Maui hiker became lost on a trail in the West Maui Mountains before he called for help yesterday afternoon, authorities said.

The 57-year-old man from Kahului said he had been hiking for four days and ran out of water after the third day while in the Pali Trail area, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Crews from the Maui Fire Department’s Air-1 helicopter responded to conduct an aerial search and located the man about two miles mauka of a dried waterfall bed at the 1500-foot elevation of Kaonohua Gulch.

The hiker was airlifted to a landing zone set up in the parking area near the intersection of North Kihei Road and the Honoapiilani Highway.

Authorities say the man refused medical attention, and was picked up by friends waiting for him at the landing zone.