Fisherman missing after hooking ʻahi, going overboard

Hawai‘i Island police have launched a missing person investigation after a 63-year-old man went overboard while fishing on a boat off Hōnaunau on Sunday morning.

The missing man, identified as Mark Knittle of Captain Cook, is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, 185 pounds, with curly brown hair with a white mustache and beard.

Knittle and a friend were fishing near the “C” buoy, located four miles outside of the Hōnaunau Boat Ramp, when Knettle hooked an ‘ahi (yellowfin tuna) at 5 a.m. on Jan. 15. The friend heard Knettle say, “the fish is huge,” then saw Knettle go overboard into the water, according to police.

The friend attempted to grab the line but was unsuccessful. Knittle was seen on the surface and disappeared within seconds. The friend attempted to jump in after Knittle but could not see him anywhere.

Hawai‘i Fire Department and Coast Guard personnel were called out and are conducting a continuous search for the next 72 hours.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or email Officer Melani Cline at melani.cline@hawaiicounty.gov.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5:09 p.m., Jan. 16, to correct an error regarding the spelling of the missing person’s name.