LIHU’E- Two hikers reported missing over the weekend have been found safe, according to the Kaua’i Police Department. The pair was located at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday stranded in the Alakai Swamp. They were rescued by a Navy helicopter without incident.
LIHU’E- Two hikers reported missing over the weekend have been found safe,
according to the Kaua’i Police Department.
The pair was located at 11:45
a.m. Tuesday stranded in the Alakai Swamp. They were rescued by a Navy
helicopter without incident.
Charles Guili of Honolulu reported that his
daughter, Lisa Gull, 21, had come to Kaua’i to camp on March 22 with her
friend, Lawrence Lazar, 22, of Tuscon, Ariz. They did not return to Honolulu as
scheduled on March 25. The family notified the Kauai Police Department of their
disappearance on Monday.
At that point, KPD Patrol Services contacted the
state Department of Land and Natural Resources to look for the pair at Koke’e
State Park.
At approximately 8 p.m. on Monday, KPD was informed that the
pair’s rental vehicle was located at the park. Early Tuesday morning, a
coordinated ground and helicopter search was initiated by KPD, DLNR, and the
Kauai Fire Department’s Rescue Squad.
Personnel from the Pacific Missile
Range Facility assisted with the search by sending an additional helicopter.
Also, the Guili family hired a private helicopter company to assist in the
search.
The couple reported that they survived by rationing food and
staying on high ground in an area visible from the air. They lost their way in
the forest on March 24, but were in good physical condition and very happy to
be found.
A total of 18 officers from PMRF, DOCARE, KFD and KPD took part
in the rescue operation.
“We are immensely grateful to all who responded –
especially PMRF for their commitment of considerable resources clearly outside
their scope of duty,” said Mayor Maryanne Kusaka.
