Search continues for missing kayaker off the Kona Coast

The search for a missing kayaker continues after his watercraft was found Sunday unmanned off the Kona Coast.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the yellow kayak was found at around 10 a.m. about 400 yards offshore of Keauhou. Jared Willeford, 42, was seen launching the watercraft at approximately 8 a.m.

Willeford’s family members and Hawaii County Fire Department crews confirmed that his truck and trailer are still located at the Keauhou boat ramp. Willeford was last seen wearing orange bib pants.

Coast Guard officials have been searching by sea and air since Sunday. By the end of today, they’ll have searched nearly 2,000 square miles. Crews will continue their search through the night.

The Hawai‘i Fire Department has also been looking for Willeford. County crews have searched approximately 191 miles of coastline.

Willeford is the second waterman to go missing at sea in the past 17 days.

On April 10, the Coast Guard began its search for Earl Kekuanaoa “Oa” Hind after he was reported missing off of South Point.

The Coast Guard and Hawai‘i Fire Department searched 200,048 square nautical miles by air and sea with no sighting of Hind or his fishing vessel. The official search ended a week after his reported disappearance.

Anyone with information on Willeford or Hind should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.