HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — On Monday morning two hikers were rescued and airlifted off Mauna Loa, reported Hawaii Volcanoes National Park officials in a release.

What You Need To Know

  • According to park officials, search-and-rescue ranger from Hawaii Volcanoes NP and a helicopter pilot deployed and located the couple around 11,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Loa

  • The ranger gave them food, water and a satellite communication device in addition to instructions to the nearest shelter and make their way out on their own since elevation and gusty winds made transporting the two out of the area too risky

  • The hikers texted the park ranger just after sunset on the same day saying that they had lost the trail in the bad weather near 10,300 feet

  • The pair was extracted one at a time on Monday morning, Jan. 15

A male and female hiker initially called 911 on Sunday morning saying they were out of food and water and their phones were running out of power.

At the time, Mauna Loa was closed above 10,000 feet because of severe winter weather and high winds.

According to park officials, a search-and-rescue ranger from Hawaii Volcanoes NP and a helicopter pilot deployed and located the couple around 11,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Loa.

After the helicopter landed, the ranger checked on the pair; both were uninjured. He gave them food, water and a satellite communication device in addition to instructions to the nearest shelter and make their way out on their own since elevation and gusty winds made transporting the two out of the area too risky.

The hikers texted the park ranger just after sunset on the same day saying that they had lost the trail in the bad weather near 10,300 feet.

Darkness and continuing hazardous conditions prevented the pilot from flying up that night. The pair was extracted one at a time on Monday morning.

“The search-and-rescue mission could have been prevented if the hikers had followed explicit directions to check in and pick up their permit from the park’s backcountry office,” said Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Chief Ranger Jack Corrao in the release.

“The park closed the summit of Mauna Loa and canceled all high-elevation backcountry permits on Jan. 9 due to severe winter weather, and we immediately posted a closure alert on our website and social media outlets. Their actions put themselves, the pilot, and our ranger at great and unnecessary risk,” said Corrao.

The pair was cited for entering the area without a permit, along with two other hikers from Oahu who had accompanied the rescued pair but separated from them. The latter were able to hike out on their own.

Per the release, all areas on Mauna Loa within the park remain closed above the Red Hill Cabin.

Visit the park website for information on backcountry permits and backcountry hiking guidelines.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.