Fire crews pull hiker to safety with rope system

Big Island man transported to Maui Memorial after 60-foot fall from trail’s edge

Firefighters used a rope system to rescue a hiker who suffered multiple injuries when he fell about 60 feet down from a trail in Kahikinui on Saturday, a fire official said.

Kula firefighters were called to the area near Mile Marker 28 on Piilani Highway at 5:41 p.m. Because of the approaching darkness that would make the Fire Department’s Air One rescue helicopter unavailable, a Kahului rescue and Makawao engine company also were dispatched to the scene, said Capt. Paul Haake.

Arriving at 6:26 p.m., Kula firefighters were directed to the fallen hiker by his female hiking companion, who is a Maui resident, Haake said. He said firefighters reported that the man, a 27year-old Big Island resident, had fallen about 60 feet down from the trail’s edge and was lodged in a small crevice. The man called out in response when firefighters tried to tell him they were there to help, Haake said.

He said firefighters hiked down to the man, who was conscious and alert but had suffered injuries including open fractures to his right wrist and right femur and numerous cuts and bruises to his arms and face. Firefighters provided first aid to the man and prepared him for the rescue, Haake said.

Rescue and Makawao firefighters, who had arrived on scene, prepared a rope system for the high-angle rescue, Haake said. He said a stokes basket was used to carry the man, with one rescue firefighter attached to the basket to guide it up and other firefighters using the rope system to hoist the patient to safety and awaiting medics.

Following the rescue, which took about two hours, the victim was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Haake said the trail used by the hikers is not well known and isn’t often used.