A rescue specialist rappelled from the Honolulu Fire Department helicopter to retrieve a hiker who got lost part of the way up Kuliouou Ridge Tuesday morning.

Firefighters initially had a difficult time locating the man because he carried a cellphone that could only call 911 and not receive calls. Firefighters also had a difficult time locating the man based on the descriptions being given by the man, whose first language is Chinese, said Capt. Terry Seelig, HFD spokesman.

The hiker first called for help at 10:25 a.m. and was airlifted to a safety zone via a canvas sling about 11:50 a.m., Seelig said.

The man appeared to be in his 20s.