For the second time in less than a week, the fire department has had to assist kayakers who strayed too far off the Kohala coast.
Relatives of the kayakers called 911 at 12:27 p.m. Sunday to report the kayakers in trouble.
They were located by a crew aboard the department’s Chopper 2 based at the South Kohala Fire Station.
The kayakers had apparently been pushed offshore by northeasterly winds of up to 30 mph, the fire department said.
The kayakers also lacked “good judgment of strong wind and currents,” a spokesman said.
The helicopter lowered a swimmer into the water to provide assistance.
Meanwhile, the Hilo-based US Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, which was conducting training in the area, assisted in the rescue and brought the two kayakers to the Kawaihae Pier.
They did not require medical assistance, the department said.
Last Wednesday, the fire department rescued two kayakers who had been carried by strong currents several miles offshore several miles to the north.
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