On the evening of Monday, December 20, fire and rescue personnel from the U.S. Army’s Pohakuloa Training Center responded to a mutual aid request from Hawaiʻi County regarding a lost hiker in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve.

After ascending to the 13,000 foot elevation, PTA first responders met up with Mauna Kea Rangers, who assisted in locating the entry point to the Humu’ula Trail, where the lost hiker had been known to have been earlier. Later that evening in below freezing temperatures, the combined team of six (four PTA firefighters and two Mauna Kea Rangers), made contact with the 60 year old male hiker.  He was found in good condition despite being exposed to cold tempearatures.

The U.S. Army Pohakuloa Fire and Rescue team routinely support the Hawaiʻi County Emergency Services under a Mutual Aid Agreement, and neighboring agencies like the office of Mauna Kea Management, to provide first responder capabilities to the community, given the geography and distances.

Photo credit: U.S. Army