Two hikers visiting Oʻahu were stranded overnight on the Kuliouou Ridge Trail after crews could not safely extract them in the dark. The Honolulu Fire Department classified the call as high‑risk and halted aerial and ground extractions. The hikers were spotted on a steep section near the Koʻolau Summit Trail, with a full rescue planned at first light.
Rescue timeline and response
According to KITV, HFD received the initial alert at 5:26 p.m. Monday, and Honolulu EMS arrived by 5:53 p.m. The department classified the situation as high-risk and conducted limited insertions before halting the main extraction for the night. Due to weather, heavy canopy, and darkness, helicopter access was unsafe, so crews planned a full rescue for the following morning.
Why crews paused overnight
According to the Honolulu Fire Department, fire officials often delay night helicopter rescues when visibility is reduced by canopy, wind, or clouds, opting to secure the scene and return at dawn. This approach has been used in past Kuliouou-area operations, with crews setting up landing zones and hiking in when air operations are unsafe. It prioritizes the safety of both rescuers and hikers while keeping the option for aerial extraction once conditions improve.
Morning search and location
According to KITV, by 7:54 a.m., the two hikers were located off the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, just below the Koʻolau Summit Trail. Crews inserted personnel below the cloud layer to hike toward the KST for a search. By mid-morning, rescue teams were conducting a sweep of the area. Officials had not released details about the hikers’ conditions or how long they had been stranded.
Trail hazards and past rescues
The Kuliouou Ridge is a demanding ridgeline with steep drop‑offs, loose soil, and rope sections that can turn sketchy fast when the weather goes bad, according to AllTrails. The Honolulu Fire Department has previously airlifted hikers from Kuliouou and neighboring ridgelines, a reminder of how quickly a casual day hike can morph into a full‑scale rescue, as noted in earlier coverage by the Star‑Advertiser. Trail guides and emergency advisories alike urge hikers to have solid experience, proper footwear, and extra food, water, and layers before committing to the route.
What hikers should know
The HFD urges hikers to plan, leave an itinerary with someone they trust, carry headlamps with spare batteries, and stay put if lost. Callers should make themselves visible to rescuers, conserve phone battery for geolocation, and avoid risky descents in the dark.
