Thirteen people were stranded in an elevator at the Ilikai Hotel and Suites for more than an hour tonight.

Hawaii Fire Department personnel were first alerted around 6:45 p.m. and arrived at the hotel in about 10 minutes.

However, the elevator occupants had apparently attempted to free themselves by prying open the inner door then attempting to do the same with the outer doors, damaging the elevator doors and prolonging the ordeal, according to HFD spokesman Capt. Carlton Yamada.

HFD workers remained in contact with the stranded visitors until a elevator repair person arrived to fix the problem.

All were able to exit the elevator shortly after 8 p.m.