Visitors that required rescue cited for violating stay-at-home order

Two out-of-state visitors who required rescue after becoming lost while hiking in Ka‘u Thursday were cited for violating Gov. David Ige’s stay-at-home and self-quarantine orders.

Responding to the 1:39 p.m. Thursday alarm, Hawaii Fire Department rescue personnel arrived at Honuapo about 10 minutes later to learn that two out-of-state visitors, a man and woman in their 60s, were lost off in tall, dense grass off of a coastal trail about 100 yards off a dirt road.

HFD personnel and Hawaii Police Department officers searched for the two lost hikers, and ultimately located them about 3/4 mile northeast of Honuapo Point. The man had to be extricated utilizing Chopper 1. Both parties were evaluated by medics at the scene.

The fire department noted that the gate to the area, also known as Whittington Beach Park, was locked due to Hawaii County park closures amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Hawaii Police Department Area II Assistant Chief Robert Wagner confirmed to West Hawaii Today on Friday that the man and woman were each cited for violating Ige’s emergency proclamations.

Violation of the stay-at-home and self-quarantine orders is a misdemeanor offense that carries up to a year in jail and a fine of no more than $5,000.

The stay-at-home order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. March 25 and will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. April 30.