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Title: Hikers Feared Rescue Charges
Source:
News8 - NBC Hawaii (KHNL); Honolulu, Hawaii
Author: Staff
Date: October 22, 2003
(Palolo, O'ahu) -- The Kalihi-Kai Fire Department was called upon this morning to rescue a 41-year-old woman and her 22-year-old daughter. The two went to Ka'au Crater for a hike Monday afternoon. But, they found themselves stuck in a treacherous area and were forced to spend the night.
Mabel Kekina of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club knows how treacherous Ka'au Crater can be. But even she was amazed by the hiking pair's position. "From what the pilot told me, when he flew over, they were clinging on to trees. They were afraid to let go of the trees," said Mabel Kekina, a trail expert. The mother and daughter had been on the crater since Monday. Fire officials said the duo was afraid to call emergency personnel, because they thought they would be charged for the rescue.
As the Fire rescue chopper prepared to move in, friends of the overdue women anxiously awaited. "They actually called a couple of friends to come and get them. This was about nine o'clock last night and I think they thought better of it. They decided to call their friends back and tell them don't come. It's kind of dangerous," said Captain Kenison Tejada of the Honolulu Fire Department.
Mabel Kekina said she found out and called emergency personnel herself. One at a time, the hikers were plucked from the hillside. "If you're in trouble, stay put and call 9-1-1. If your friends get up there, they could get in trouble. It's always better to call us first. You don't have to worry. That's what we're there for," said Captain Tejada.
The hikers, who recently moved here from the mainland, did not want to talk about their ordeal on camera. Fire officials said they do not bill people for the cost of their rescues, because they don't want people who are in trouble to be discouraged from calling emergency personnel.
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