Ranger confident suspect not in crater

All trails in the park reopened Thursday morning; permits for camping issued

The search for a male suspect in an attack on a female hiker in Haleakala Crater on Sunday ended Wednesday with park officials saying they don’t believe the suspect is in the crater.

Access to the crater had been blocked since Sunday as park rangers with help from county, state and federal law enforcement officials conducted a search for the suspect. Maui police, Honolulu Police Department K-9 units, the FBI and state Department of Land and Natural Resources joined the two-day search.

“After an exhaustive search I am confident that the assailant is no longer in the crater,” said Chief Ranger Ari Wong.

All trails in the park reopened Thursday morning, and the park resumed issuing backcountry permits for cabins and campers.

Park spokesman Charles Lassiter said Thursday that specific details of the attack could not be revealed because of the ongoing investigation.

Sunday’s attack “is not a common occurrence,” he added. Staff with more than 20 years at the park do not recall a similar incident.

“People visiting the park should feel no less safe than they would have if they had been visiting a couple of weeks ago.” Lassiter said.

He advised people to always hike with a partner and to make sure that friends or family are aware of hiking plans. Provide someone an itinerary that includes destination and expected time of return.

The woman who was assaulted has been treated and released from Maui Memorial Medical Center, Lassiter said.

The attacker was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing black pants, a black shirt and in his mid-to-late 30s, a park news release said.

Anyone with information on the assault should contact National Park Service Dispatch at 985-6170 or the Maui Police Department at 244-6400.