The Honolulu Fire Department has completed the rescue of two men who were stranded while hiking on the Puu Kalena Trail in the Wai'anae mountains. HFD Air 1 flew the hikers out at 11:50 a.m. The hikers were examined by Federal Fire Department (FFD) EMTs for effects of exposure and transported by Schofield Ambulance to Tripler Army Medical Center for treatment.

The two men, 21 and 28, are members of the military. They began their hike on Saturday at about 10:30 a.m. and reached a mountain peak approximately 9 miles from the Puu Kalena trailhead in the late afternoon. Due to inclement weather and approaching darkness, they were uncomfortable with descending the trail they had climbed to reach the peak and called 911 for assistance at approximately 6 p.m.

HFD and the FFD responded to the 911 call on Saturday but limited visibility and approaching darkness prevented rescuers from reaching the stranded hikers. The hikers were advised via cell phone to remain in place until rescue efforts could be resumed this morning.

Limited visibility early today prevented HFD Air 1 and rescue personnel from reaching the mountain peak location of the stranded hikers. At approximately 10 a.m. the weather broke and HFD Air 1 set rescue personnel down on the Puu Kalena trail. HFD rescue personnel then hiked approximately 45 minutes to reach the stranded hikers.

Improving weather conditions allowed HFD Air 1 to fly to the mountain peak location of the stranded hikers, extract and transport them to a Kolekole Road landing zone at 11:50 a.m. today.