A 53-year-old visitor from Europe who rode a mountain bike from Holualoa to Maunakea was rescued from the 12,000-foot level of the the northeast side of the mountain late Thursday afternoon or early Thursday evening by an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
According to a Hawaii Fire Department statement, the man traversed the mountain via the hunter access road at the 8,000-foot level. He took a trail off the main dirt road and was overcome by cold — summit temperatures were in the mid 30s — rain, dense fog and strong winds.
The Army chopper from Pohakuloa Training Area made the rescue because a county helicopter also involved in the search couldn’t reach the man because of the elevation.
The man was taken to the North Hawaii Community Hospital emergency room for treatment of minor injuries.