Puako Information Update for March 1st, 2021

Three paddleboarders rescued offshore of Waialea Beach (Beach 69) in Puako, South Kohala Sunday evening (February 28th).

Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) Team

info@hiradioscannercommunity.com

The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with Ocean Safety Lifeguards responded to a report of three paddleboarders in distress offshore of Waialea Beach (or Beach 69) in Puako, South Kohala Sunday evening (February 28th).

The initial call came in at 5:18 pm Sunday evening and HFD crews from the South Kohala Fire Station along with Ocean Safety Jet Ski (Jet Ski 2) Team for West Hawaii responded to the scene located approximately 3/4 mile offshore of Waialea Beach in South Kohala.

Upon the arrival of emergency crews, a report came into HFD Dispatch reporting three parties (described as female and two males) were on paddleboards offshore of Waialea Beach and struggling to get back to shore due to rough ocean conditions and were slowly drifting out to deeper waters.

Once emergency crews arrived at the scene, HFD Ocean Jet Ski Team immediately deployed from Puako Boat Ramp and located the three paddleboarders offshore of Waialea Beach. Jet Ski Team brought all three parties including their paddleboards safely back to shore to awaiting HFD personnel and were uninjured or didn't require any EMS treatment or transport.

At the time of the incident, A Wind Advisory was in effect for the South Kohala District and Gale Warning was also in effect for the waters surrounding the West Hawaii Coast.