In May 2019, 35-year-old yoga instructor Amanda Eller set out for what she thought would be a simple hike in Hawaii’s Makawao Forest Reserve—but it turned into a harrowing two-week ordeal that would test every ounce of her resilience. Lost in the dense jungle without water, Amanda survived by foraging for fruits and even catching insects to stay alive, all while enduring scorching sun and rugged terrain.
Five days into her ordeal, Amanda fell into a deep gorge and broke her leg, rendering her immobile and dependent entirely on her willpower and survival instincts. Despite the pain and isolation, she never gave up, signaling her presence whenever she could and holding onto hope that rescuers would find her.
Her disappearance triggered a massive search effort, involving hundreds of volunteers, family, friends, and professionals who scoured approximately 8 square kilometers of dense forest daily. Even when professionals had to step back, Amanda’s loved ones continued the search, refusing to give up on her.
Miraculously, on May 24, a helicopter team found Amanda 4.5 kilometers from her car, sitting in a deep gorge and waving desperately for help. Her endurance, courage, and ingenuity had kept her alive until rescue arrived. She was hospitalized and eventually discharged in early June, forever changed by the experience.
Amanda Eller’s story is a testament to human resilience, the power of hope, and the extraordinary lengths a community will go to save a loved one. Her survival reminds us that even in the most extreme circumstances, determination, ingenuity, and sheer will can triumph over fear and adversity.