The park was the staging ground for HFD search crews.
"This afternoon about 12:53 a hiker on the trail actually heard calls for help," said HFD Capt. Robert Main. "A male voice asking for help and for an ambulance."
The hiker told firefighters the voice came from somewhere above the Manoa Valley trail.
Firefighters searched by air and by foot.
"As they went up they also heard the cries a male voice asking for help they called back but weren’t getting replies," Capt. Main explained. "As far as from the caller but every once in awhile they would definitely hear a call for help. And with the thick vegetation in the area, the topography of the area, it’s kind of hard to pinpoint a specific direction from a single call. "
Search crews narrowed their search to an area described as being between Manoa Valley and Pauoa Flats.
The cries for help stopped around 3:30 p.m.
"If you know anything about the trail network here it’s fairly extensive and they tried to work all the trails they could find and anything off that," said Capt. Main.
Fire officials are hoping it’s not a hoax, and say this serves as a reminder about hiking safety.
"We want to caution the public especially coming summertime there’s going to be a lot of people hiking we get this every weekend we do get a number of hikers either lost or injured and to remember that they also are responsible for themselves," Capt. Main said. "Make sure to take extra clothing, food, water, and even blankets and flashlights."
He also says it’s a good idea to bring along a whistle, and a cell phone, and to give a detailed hiking plan to family and friends.
Fire officials don’t have a name or even a description of the missing hiker.
No one actually saw him.
Crews plan to head back to the area Monday morning to resume their search.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
