Boy Airlifted From Waiheʻe Ridge Trail

Waihee, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

An 11-year-old boy was air-lifted from the Waiheʻe Valley Ridge Trail on Wednesday, July 17, when he reportedly became ill and was unable to continue hiking, officials said.

The boy was among a group of 12 boys who were hiking with two adult chaperones when the incident occurred about 3 miles into the trail at 5:12 p.m., said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Rescue personnel from Kahului retrieved the boy and loaded him into the department’s Air-1 helicopter, which transported him to a landing zone at Maluhia.  He was then placed in an ambulance for transport to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in stable condition, said Mainaga.

Also responding to the scene were personnel from the Kahului Hazmat unit.