Swimmer rescued in S. Kohala

A 20-year-old man and a local resort employee were rescued early Monday morning off the South Kohala Coast, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department.

A Hilton Waikoloa Village employee swam out to help a distressed swimmer, after hearing his yells and spotting him just 150 yards offshore of the hotel.

South Kohala and Kailua-Kona fire rescue personnel responded to the 4:29 a.m. call. Upon arrived eight minutes later, they found both people hanging onto a floatation device, provided by the resort employee.

Fire Department Chopper 2 located the victims and lighted the area until rescuers could bring them to shore using a surfboard. The 20-year-old man had minor injuries and was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital.