The Fire Department helicopter rescued five hikers, who apparently were headed to the off-limits Stairway to Heaven trail and got into trouble.

The hikers spent a cold night on a ridge on the Koolau Mountains and were taken out by helicopter Monday morning.

 Capt. Kevin Mokulehua, fire department spokesman, said the four women and one man were airlifted off the ridge beginning at 8:21 a.m. and flown to Kaneohe District Park.

None of the hikers needed medical treatment.

The group called 911 at 7:08 p.m. to report they were lost on the Kaneohe side of the trail, on a ridge near the saddle area, and were unable to continue. They had set off at noon from the Moanalua Valley Trail, he said.

Fire personnel responded at 7:11 p.m. and set up a command post at Kaneohe District Park before deciding that it wouldn’t be possible to rescue them at night. 

Fire rescue personnel used the GPS function on a cell phone carried by one of the hikers to track the group.