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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 1, 2009

KANE'OHE
Lost hiker rescued from area above Ha'iku Valley

A hiker was rescued yesterday morning after spending the night in the Ko'olau Range above Ha'iku Valley where he had lost his way.

A Honolulu Fire Department helicopter rescue crew was able to get him out shortly before 8 a.m., said HFD spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig.

The man, in his 20s, was cold and wet but not in any medical distress, Seelig said.

The man had been hiking with two women but separated from them at some point in after they became disoriented because of heavy cloud cover. The women made it to the bottom of Ha'iku Stairs about 11:30 Wednesday night, Seelig said. The man called for help on a cell phone after dark.

The hikers, all in their 20s, had begun their trek above Tripler Army Medical Center at around 8 a.m. Wednesday, Seelig said. They intended to hike the Tripler Ridge Trail and descend on the Ha'iku Stairs. But weather and low clouds disoriented the group.

Ha'iku Stairs remains off-limits to the public while the city tries to resolve access and parking issues.