Honolulu firefighters used a helicopter this morning to rescue a paraglider who was stranded overnight on a ridge in the Koolau mountain range above Pacific Palisades.

The experienced paraglider began his ride Thursday on the Windward side of the Koolau Mountain Range above Kahana Valley and wound up landing above the Manana Trail in Aiea where he spent the night.

He was able to contact fire officials with his cell phone. But the fire department’s helicopter wasn’t able to reach him because of nightfall and turbulence on the ridge line.

The rescue operations began at 5:30 a.m. today and was delayed for a few hours because of low clouds and turbulence along the ridge line.

Operations resumed just after 9 a.m. when the clouds lifted. The helicopter was able to land near the paraglider who climbed into the cockpit and was airlifted to Waiau Neighborhood Park at Hoohiki and Hoono streets near the Waiau Fire Station.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said the man didn’t need medical attention.