Overdue Hikers Airlifted to Safety on Molokaʻi

Air rescue. File photos/graphics by Wendy Osher.

Five individuals are safe after they were reported overdue from a hike in Wailau Valley on Molokaʻi on Sunday, fire officials said.

The incident was reported at 7:03 a.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Fire officials say the group consisted of “very experienced” hikers that were familiar with the area.

According to department reports, Engine 12 personnel made checks at the trailhead of the Wailau trail at 8 a.m., with no signs of the party. It was decided that crews would give the party until 1 p.m. to exit on their own.

At 1:30 p.m., with no sign of the overdue hikers, Rescue 10 aboard Air 1 left Maui to search Wailau Valley. At approximately 2 p.m. the 5 person hiking party was found and all were airlifted to a landing zone fronting the Pūkoʻo Fire Station.

There were no reported injuries and all individuals were accounted for.  The department officially closed the incident at 3:52 p.m.