Puako Information Update for December 31st, 2019

Surfer/swimmer rescued in high surf conditions in Pauoa Bay Tuesday afternoon (December 31st).

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with Ocean Safety and the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a report of a surfer/swimmer in distress in high surf conditions of Pauoa Bay in South Kohala Tuesday afternoon (December 31st).

The initial call came in at 1:39 pm Tuesday afternoon and HFD crews from the South Kohala, Waikoloa, and Kailua (Rescue Company 7) Fire Station along with Battalion 2, HFD's Ocean Safety - West Hawaii Jet Ski team stationed at Hapuna Beach, Chopper 2, Chopper 1 (from the Waiakea Fire Station), and HPD officers from the South Kohala Patrol responded to the scene located in waters offshore of Pauoa Bay in South Kohala.

Upon the arrival of emergency crews, bystanders reported that male (described as a male in his 60's) who reported be surfing in waters of Pauoa Bay when he got caught in the high surf conditions and lost his board in the process was unable to get back to shore due to the strong riptide.

Once emergency crews arrived on the scene, another surfer out on the water at the time of the incident had paddled up to the location of the male and assisted him back to shore, where HFD crews met with the male party involved and conducted a medical assessment, where he refused further medical treatment or transport.

This was the only rescue incident reported related to the high surf conditions.