Missing Stand-Up Paddleboarder on Maui Found, Rescued

A stand-up paddleboarder was rescued this morning 1.25 nautical miles off of Ukumehame Beach Park after spending overnight in the ocean. She is in stable condition.

The 51-year-old paddleboarder was reported overdue at 8:06 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5, to the US Coast Guard’s Sector Honolulu watchstanders. She was last seen off Olowalu Beach.

Maui Dispatch told USCG the paddleboarder was last seen 100 yards off the beach wearing a blue rash guard, black leggings, and a blue personal flotation device.

Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners and launched Coast Guard assets in response while the fire department deployed air and ground crews.

At 7:30 a.m., a Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew located a stand-up paddleboarder matching the description of the missing person. The Auxiliary aircrew vectored in the Maui County Fire Department Air 1 helicopter crew who deployed a rescue swimmer and recovered the paddleboarder while an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew provided overhead support.

The Maui County Fire Department Air 1 helicopter aircrew hoisted the missing paddleboarder and brought her safely back to shore after a Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew located her.

“This rescue came down to teamwork,” said Lt. Jeff Henkel, an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircraft commander. “It was a true display of inter-agency coordination at its finest. When local and federal rescue efforts combine, our search capabilities are extremely effective.”

The paddleboarder was reported to be in stable condition.