Search for Missing Hikers at ʻĪao Suspended Overnight

‘Iao Valley, photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

***An UPDATE with VIDEO FOOTAGE of the rescue is now posted at the following DIRECT LINK.

Heavy rains and poor conditions at ʻĪao forced the overnight suspension of a search for a missing father and son who had gone hiking on Friday afternoon, Aug. 9, 2013, and failed to return, officials said.

The 51-year-old man and his 11-year-old son departed from the upper parking lot at around 1:30 p.m. to look for a pond that they had heard about, while the man’s wife remained in the car, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

The wife reported the hikers missing five hours later at 6:28 p.m., authorities said.

The search initially utilized the department’s Air-1 helicopter, but it was turned back due to poor weather and low light conditions.

Fire personnel from Wailuku and Rescue 10 personnel were dispatched to the scene, and hiked the trail, but called off the search due to the inclement weather and unsafe conditions, said FS Chief Mainaga.

The search was suspended at 8:20 p.m., and is expected to resume on Saturday morning, Aug. 10, at first light.

The father and son reportedly had personal flotation devices, but no cell phone or flashlights, said FS Chief Mainaga.

Other agencies assisting with the search and rescue include the Maui Police Department and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.