Mahukona Information Update for June 11th, 2020
Rescue crews and volunteers are continuing for a third day in the search of a missing free diver off the North Kohala Coast Thursday (June 11th).
Published by: HIRSC - Utah (Salt Lake City/St. George) and Nevada (Henderson) Team
info@hiradioscannercommunity.com
The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the HFD Ocean Safety Lifeguards, Hawaii Police Department (HPD), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and community volunteers will continue first light Thursday morning (June 11th) for a third-day searching for 20-year-old Malcolm Davis, who went missing while free diving off the coast of Mahukona Beach Park Tuesday morning (June 9th).
A Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crew from the Kaneohe Bay-based Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 (HSM-37) joined the search Wednesday and a crew from the Maui Fire Department (MFD) is scheduled to join in the search at first light Thursday morning, expanding their search to now include the south shore of Maui.
Rescue crews continue to search for Davis, who was last seen at 9:30 am Tuesday morning (June 9th) and was last wearing white board shorts and blackfins in the area of Mahukona Lighthouse. Davis was spearfishing with seven friends when they became separated. After they were unable to find Davis, the friends returned to their car, drove inland, and tried to find cell service to report the situation to HFD and HPD.
Rescue crews and volunteers have searched the North Kohala coastline expanding from Honokoa Gulch to Upolu Point by air, land, and sea. HFD Rescue Dive team conducted an extensive underwater search of the surrounding bay of Mahukona Beach Park and USCG and Navy Resources conducted an aerial and ocean surface search expanding into the Alenuihaha Channel and south shore of Maui.
The weather on scene is winds of 24 mph and seas up to five feet with a strong Northwest current. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until 6:00 pm Thursday evening for the search area waters due to the strong trade winds.
The following resources are involved in the search for Malcolm Davis include:
HFD Ocean Safety Jet Ski Team for West Hawaii
HFD Rescue Boat 7 from the Kailua Fire Station
HFD Chopper 1 (from the Waiakea Fire Station) and Chopper 2 (from the South Kohala Fire Station)
An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew
An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew
Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crew from Kaneohe Bay, Oahu (joined on 6/10)
The Crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124)
Maui Fire Department (MFD) crews scheduled to assist in the search on 6/11
USCG requested waterway users in the area to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress and report any information over VHF Channel 16 or at 808-842-2600.
HIRSC Team will continue to monitor this incident and will provide updates as it becomes available.
To view the initial update on this incident, please click here.
In contrary to media reports, initial news reports published/rumors circulated that a body was recovered in the search area, however, it was later discovered the incident was unrelated and had occurred in the South Kona district late Tuesday evening (June 9th). Officials say the search continues.