Search for Missing Kaloli Point Fisherman Continues

The search for a 51-year-old missing fisherman near Kaloli Point in Hawaiian Paradise Park continued Sunday.

United States Coast Guard and Hawai’i County Fire Department personnel responded to the area at daybreak to continue the search for a man who was fishing along the coastline Saturday. The man was reportedly last seen around 2:30 p.m. Saturday floating in an area about 50 yards offshore. He was said to have been swept off a cliff into the ocean by high surf.

According to HFD officials, Rescue Company 2 conducted shoreline searches north and south of the area where the man was last seen. A HFD helicopter conducted an aerial search about four miles to the north and south and half a mile offshore. Dive operations also took place, however, high surf conditions and nightfall suspended the search for the night, with plans to resume Monday morning.

Coast Guard crew members aboard the 87-foot coastal patrol boat Kittiwake, home ported in Honolulu, along with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point, participated in the search. The crews completed a total of 10 sorties, searching an area of 124 square miles, and deployed one self-locating datum marker buoy.

The Coast Guard called off its active search for the man Sunday night.

“The suspension of an active search and rescue case is an incredibly difficult decision to make,” said Lieutenant Kevin Edes, command center chief at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We worked closely with the Hawai’i County Fire Department and saturated the area in an attempt to locate the man but, pending further developments, we have decided to suspend the active search. Our prayers go out to his family and friends.”