Nation ‘I chose life’: Hiker Amanda Eller survived on wild fruit, water and grit for 17 days in the Hawaiian forest May 26, 2019May 26, 2019John Bacon, USA TODAYComments Off on ‘I chose life’: Hiker Amanda Eller survived on wild fruit, water and grit for 17 days in the Hawaiian forest Hundreds of volunteers who aided the grim search and sensational rescue of Amanda Eller will celebrate Monday at a barbecue bash in Maui.