Punalu'u Information Update for October 1st, 2020
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) reports missing/overdue kayakers have been accounted for.
Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) and Nevada (Las Vegas) Team
info@hiradioscannercommunity.com
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) reports two overdue/missing kayakers that were reported on Wednesday evening have been accounted for.
HFD Rescue crews resumed their search on Thursday morning (October 1st) and after a brief search, HFD crews learned from the USCG that two missing parties were accounted for and were fishing along the coastline down from Punalu'u Beach Park and not in any distress or required any further assistance and uninjured.
HFD Rescue personnel have confirmed the information received and since suspended their search and returned back to quarters.
The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) along with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) responded to a report of missing/overdue kayakers at Punalu'u Boat Ramp in Ka'u Wednesday evening (September 30th).
The initial call came in at 6:33 pm Wednesday evening and HFD crews from the Pahala, Na'alehu, and Waiakea (Rescue Company 2) Fire Stations along with Battalion 1 and HPD officers from the Ka'u Patrol responded to the scene located at Punalu'u Boat Ramp.
Upon the arrival of emergency crews, a report came in that two people (described as a male and female both in their 50's) went out a two-man kayak (described as a yellow two-man kayak) and last seen paddling offshore of Punalu'u Boat Ramp around 3:00 pm Wednesday afternoon. A bystander noticed the kayaker's vehicle was still parked at the Punalu'u Boat Ramp after sunset on Wednesday evening and both parties were unable to be located and immediately called for assistance.
Once emergency crews arrived at the scene, HFD and HPD personnel conducted a brief ground search of the surrounding area from Punalu'u Beach and Ninole Cove with negative findings. Due to nightfall, HFD Rescue crews have since suspended their initial search for the evening and expected to resume at first light on Thursday morning (October 1st).
USCG Cutter was en-route to the area to continue the search through Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.
HPD is continuing to investigate the incident and will release further details at a later time.