MEDIA RELEASE

Fire/rescue crews responded to an 8:51 p.m. alarm Tuesday (Nov 24) for a missing hiker near Kona Village Resort in Kaupulehu.

A hiker became separated from his family in open land north of the Kaupulehu resort area. The father of the hiker reported his son missing to authorities and said the decision to separate from their group may have been deliberate. Attempts to contact the son via cellphone were unsuccessful during the night.

Ground crews and Chopper Two initiated a search at night for the hiker and could not locate him.

A second helicopter was brought in Wednesday morning (Nov 25) to resume the search. The missing hiker later called 911, said he heard the helicopters and said he saw them. Choppers One and Two spotted the hiker who was able to walk out to ground crews.

The hiker was not injured and was transported via fire engine to meet his parents along the Kaupulehu Access Road.

Ten personnel were involved in the search including two helicopters, two engines and a rescue unit. Crews were back in their stations by 8 a.m. Wednesday (Nov 25).