Mechanic takes long trek to free couple stranded in stuck elevator
One of the bigger complaints around the island came from the elevator shafts.
Residents and tourists islandwide were stuck in elevators after the earthquakes.
When the quakes hit, Otis Elevator Co. mechanic Randy Moore knew he had a long day ahead of him.
He climbed 24 flights of stairs at the Ala Wai Skyrise condominiums to free a couple trapped in the elevator.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Yesterday's post-quake power failure caused a host of problems, including this incident below the 25th floor at a university-area condominium, where firefighters helped rescue a couple trapped in an elevator. CLICK FOR LARGE
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Before Moore arrived, the couple had asked for water after being stuck for three hours. Condo resident manager Butch Humalon could not fit a bottle through the door, so he instead poured water into a Ziploc bag and slid it between the doors, wedged open with a tennis ball.
Moore arrived, and through the wedged doors, he reset the elevator's electronic door restriction to free the couple. The couple, flustered by their experience, refused comment and returned to their home.
Moore wiped sweat from his brow and began the trek down the building, knowing full well that he was not done.
"This morning, I've climbed up 35 floors, 22 floors, now 24 floors, and I'm probably going to go to another high-rise building," Moore said.
"And I'm hungry."
