#South Point

Authorities are again seeking the public’s help in locating Earl Kekuanaʻoʻa Hind, a fisherman who disappeared about a year ago after launching his boat from South Point on the Big Island.

The advisory was issued Saturday, March 21, and is the result of heavy rain and/or high surf associated with the powerful kona low that slammed into the island last weekend; the public is strongly encouraged to stay out of waters that appear brown or murky, especially after a storm since it could contain higher than normal pollutants.

These draft Destination Management Action Plans for 2026-2028 capture months of in-person and virtual community engagement in 2025 to identify and prioritize hotspots.

This is the second suspected drowning of a visitor to Hawai‘i Island within two days.

Hawai‘i Fire Department’s two helicopters circled the entire island, spending four days in the air, covering 1,724 nautical miles in 19 hours.

The fisherman and his vessel’s current whereabouts are unknown. His truck and boat trailer were located parked near the South Point boat ramp area. Coast Guard officials say the search will continue till at least Tuesday.

Kahalu‘u and Kohana‘iki Beach Parks remain closed for debris cleanup following high surf over the weekend.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health originally issued the advisory Sept. 16.

Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

The swimmer was coached to a safe spot at the bottom of the cliffs where he could exit the water to be treated by emergency medical service personnel.

Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous.

The man has been identified as Carson Philbin of Charlotte, N.C., who was swimming with three others in rough ocean conditions Saturday morning after jumping in at the “hoist” area.

The tour company based at the Kona Inn Shopping Village offers several options for guests to explore “Paranormal Paradise” around the Big Island, from Kona to Hilo and places in between.

Hawai‘i Fire officials are asking people to stay out of the burn area as crews are still dealing with hot spots.

On June 30 at 4:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Police Department’s Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to a report of a swimmer in distress near the Kalae Cove Park, commonly known as the “Hoist,” at South Point.

Bystanders brought the distressed swimmer to shore and began CPR until Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived on scene, however, attempts to resuscitate the man at the scene were unsuccessful.

In the Big Island crash, the tail boom separated from the fuselage of a Bell 407 during a sunset tour operated by Paradise Helicopters out of Kona.

The Hawai‘i Fire Department is responding to a 300-acre brushfire between Ka‘alualu Bay and South Point Road in the Ka‘ū District, Civil Defense reported Monday morning, July 25.

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report concerning the crash of a tour helicopter earlier this month near South Point.

A man has died as the result of a one-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 10 a.m. Sunday