DAYNA GALVAN
Honolulu, Hawaii

I’d been stationed away from Hawaii for a while and was excited to get back home to Honolulu to hit the trails. I was an avid hiker growing up and thought I could easily pick up where I left off. While I usually hiked with a group of friends, on this particular day, I decided to go out on my own.

I chose to hike the Olomana Trail. It’s a difficult trail due to its sharp inclines, rocky sections and exposed ridges, but I’d completed it a few times before ¬— though it had been years since my last trek. The hike consists of three steep peaks, and I didn’t consider the changes in the terrain due to erosion. There were some areas where I noticed the wear and tear on the path, but I reached the third peak problem-free. I was on my way back when I got into trouble.

As I hiked down the third peak, I noticed the winds were starting to pick up. I continued, feeling confident I could still complete the hike safely. About 15 feet from the second peak, however, I realized I was going up the wrong way. By that time, it was too late to turn around.

While holding onto a rock to stabilize myself, I felt the ground beneath my feet begin to give way. At this point, any movement made my grip weaker. Eventually, I couldn’t hold on any longer and fell. I slid backward for 40 yards down an extremely steep ridge. Luckily, I hit a tree and flipped onto my stomach, still sliding down at a rapid pace.

I desperately grasped for anything within reach. Somehow, I managed to grab hold of a small tree, which stopped my fall. In immense pain, I yelled for help while holding on for dear life, realizing that letting go would result in my death.

By the grace of God, two active-duty Marines were also hiking in the area with their wives and heard my cries for help. Without hesitation, one Marine climbed down to assist. Because I’d slid so far down, it felt like an eternity before he reached me. Once he got to where I was located, he asked if I was OK. I told him I didn’t think I could move, but I knew I had to if I wanted to live. If the tree gave way, there was nothing stopping my fall. With the Marine’s help, we finally made it back to the top, where his wife called emergency services to send help. I was then airlifted to a designated area, placed in an ambulance and transported to the nearest hospital.

When I look back on this close call, something a first responder said stuck with me. He told me that at the point where I fell, I was lucky to be alive. About 95 percent of all the calls they receive for that area end up as fatalities. In fact, since my fall, several other experienced hikers died on the Olomana Trail.

I made several mistakes that day, such as hiking alone and underestimating the trail’s dangerous terrain, but I learned my lesson. Although I paid a pretty penny on medical bills and the rescue transport, I am fortunate my fall didn’t cost me my life.

FYI

The Olomana Trail on Oahu, Hawaii, is known for its dangerous terrain and high number of hiker deaths. According to Hawai’i Magazine, “The difficulty of the Olomana Trail cannot be overstated, and it should only be tackled by expert hikers. If you’re not comfortable with steep, rope-assisted rock climbs and perilous heights, this is not the hike for you.” Following the most recent fatality on the trail, the city of Honolulu posted a warning sign that states, “Six people have fallen to their deaths after hiking past the first peak,” along with the accident dates and locations. Before hiking any trail, check out the potentially lifesaving tips from the National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm#hikesmart.

Did You Know?

According to Civil Beat, a well-known news site in Hawaii, a rescue operation on the Olomana Trail that requires a helicopter, emergency vehicles and personnel can cost between $10,000 to $20,000.