13 Hikers Airlifted From Flash Flood at Bamboo Forest

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

More than a dozen hikers were airlifted to safety after they became trapped on one side of a swollen stream in Kailua on Sunday, February 17, 2013, officials said.

Four different groups of hikers, ranging in age from eight to 54, became trapped when stream waters in the area suddenly rose, and remained elevated for hours, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Three hikers were from Maui, while the others were visitors from Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the Bamboo Forest trail area of Kailua at around 12:23 p.m.

With no let up in water levels, the determination was made to utilize the rescue helicopter to airlift the hikers to safety, said Mainaga.

Enigne-2 from Wailuku, Rescue-10 form Kahului, and the Fire Department’s Air-1 helicopter assisted with the rescue.  No injuries reported.