A second day of searching Sunday turned up no sign of a 47-year-old man who reportedly fell into the ocean Saturday at Kaiwi Point.
A friend of the missing man told Hawaii Fire Department personnel who responded to the 11:03 a.m. Saturday report that he had been picking opihi in the area south of Honokohau Harbor when his friend fell into the water, according to fire officials.
When he jumped into the water to help his friend, the victim grabbed his arm causing both to start to go under the water. The reporting party said he had to let go of the man to get a breath of air, and when he dove back down, he was unable to see the victim.
Rescue personnel said shoreline conditions were rough at the time. The man was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, “kalakoa” shorts, and black boots, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Both Hawaii County helicopters conducted aerial searches in the area while divers searched beneath the water’s surface. No sign of the man had been found as of sunset Saturday. The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday evening that its crews would continue the search throughout the night.