Hiker found safe after extensive two-day search

A missing hiker’s two-day ordeal had a happy ending Tuesday when he was found safe and sound after an extensive land and air search.

Lihu’e resident Patrick Bruno, 36, started out on Sunday, Dec. 30, planning to hike to the rim of Waialeale Crater and back from the Mohihi Trail in Koke’e’s Camp 10 area, according to Kaua’i Fire Battalion Chief Bob Kaden.

However, the muddy conditions forced Bruno to modify his plans. He left his car quite a distance from the trailhead, and began hiking in, anticipating a visit to one of the heiau located on the trail. When he failed to return that evening, his wife reported him missing.

With assistance from the search dog team headed by Riko Taniguchi, fire and rescue crews began scouring the area Monday with the aid of the Air One helicopters as well as helicopters from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Mana.

After a fruitless search on New Year’s Eve, search operations resumed Tuesday with Kaua’i Police Department personnel aboard Air One piloted by D’Atilio. Bruno was spotted from the air around 2:15 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

Operating from the Kokee State Park, fire rescue personnel were long-lined down to Bruno’s location, where they stabilized the hiker before lifting him to safety.

Kaden said Bruno, who had been wearing a tank top and shorts, was heavily scratched and dehydrated but otherwise okay. He was taken by private vehicle to Wilcox Memorial Hospital for further tests and observations. Kaden said that Bruno was physically fit, a factor that contributed to his well-being when found.

A poncho and a space blanket carried in by Bruno probably contributed to the happy ending, Kaden said. “He spent some cold nights up there.”

Bruno also had a signalling mirror, but no other electronic signalling devices that could have helped searchers locate him.

TGI staff photographer Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or e-mail mailto:dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.