Hiker rescued amid white-out conditions on Maunakea

The University of Hawaii Maunakea Rangers rescued a lost hiker in thick white-out conditions Tuesday evening on the Humuula Trail at the 13,000-foot elevation of the mountain.

Rangers and fire and rescue personnel from the U.S. Army Pohakuloa Training Center responding to the 7 p.m. report trekked for about a mile through heavy snow and sleet to locate the 64-year-old hiker.

The Rangers, part of UH-Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship, were able to contact the man via cell phone and pinpoint his location. After one hour of searching, they located the hiker in a small cave in between Waiau Lake and Maunakea Access Road. He was able to walk out on his own but was transported by personnel to the hospital.

Prior to the hike, at around 10:30 a.m., the man registered with rangers at the Visitor Information Center on Maunakea, as required. Hikers fill out information forms and are briefed on safety protocols, weather and undergo thorough assessment for proper gear. Rangers attempted to contact the man several times after it got dark but were unsuccessful. They later found out he filled out the wrong contact number on his form. The hiker’s calls to 9-1-1 enabled rangers to eventually connect with him and narrowed the search area.