Air Station Barbers Point C-130 Hercules Aircrew Located The Kayakers

An extended search for missing Hawaiian kayakers, that was beginning to look doubtful, has turned out to have a far more positive resolution.

The Coast Guard HAS found two overdue kayakers off Punalu’u Beach, Thursday.

An Air Station Barbers Point C-130 Hercules aircrew located the kayakers and air dropped a message block to make contact. The kayakers confirmed they did not need Coast Guard assistance and were not in any distress.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report at 6:38 p.m., Wednesday, from a good Samaritan stating she saw the kayakers depart earlier in the day and had not returned though it was sunset.

Upon notification, the watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners asking the public to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress and diverted the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake (WPB 87316) in response.

An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew was launched to assist with the search.

The weather on scene was winds of 5 mph and seas up to three feet.

FMI: www.uscg.mil