Exhausted Hiker Airlifted from King’s Trail

Air Rescue Maui, graphics by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

An 85-year-old man was airlifted from the King’s Trail in South Maui after becoming exhausted, fire officials said.

The incident was reported at around 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015, about a half-mile past the trailhead at La Perouse Bay.

Fire officials say the man, who is a part-time Kīhei resident, was hiking on the trail with a female friend when he became exhaused and was unable to walk out on his own. Another hiker on the trail reportedly found the couple and called for help after hiking out to the trailhead.

A rescue crew aboard the department’s Air-1 helicopter located the man in the lava field southeast of the bay at around 3 p.m. and airlifted him to a landing zone.

Authorities say he was checked and treated by paramedics at the scene after complaining of shortness of breath, but refused transport to the hospital.