Coast Guard calls off search for missing opihi picker

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing 40-year-old man off the coast of the Big Island near Honokaa on Sunday.

“We extend our condolences to his friends and loved ones during this trying time,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Casey Connors, a Sector Honolulu watchstander, in a press release issued late Sunday night. “Working with the Hawaii County Fire Department, our crews conducted 40 searches covering over 2,011 square miles. There has been no sign of the missing person, and we suspended our search tonight at sunset pending further information.”

At 6:37 p.m., Thursday, Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report from the Hawaii County Fire Department stating they received notification from the man’s friends he was missing.

The man, along with another friend, was harvesting opihi when they both were swept offshore by a wave. One of them managed to swim back to shore and made contact with their friends who were searching for them when they failed to return by a set time.

The Hawaii County Fire Department deployed ground crews to rescue the man from the shoreline while other Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department crews continued to search for the missing man throughout the weekend.

He was last seen wearing a red long-sleeve shirt with camouflage pants and a black backpack. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sector Honolulu Command Center at 842-2600.