A 15-year-old boy who was reportedly swept from the shoreline Wednesday afternoon in the vicinity of Kealakekua Bay remains missing.
The victim has been identified by the U.S. Coast Guard in Honolulu as Tyler Madoff, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Soto. Hawaii Fire Department West Hawaii Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros said the boy was part of a youth group visiting from New York taking part in a kayaking and hiking tour.
Despite spending all day Thursday searching the bay, no sign of the boy had been found as of press time, said Medeiros. Coast Guard personnel also found nothing, Soto said.
Hawaii Fire Department crews, assisted by Hawaii County’s rescue helicopter, searched the bay and surrounding areas amid high surf and rough conditions. The Coast Guard, using an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and its 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Ahi, searched a 185-square-mile area extending 11 miles from shore.
Soto said Madoff’s father was also at the scene Thursday working with local boaters to assist in the search. West Hawaii Today was unable to reach him.
Madoff apparently went missing around 3 p.m. Wednesday when large waves swept him, along with a 14-year-old boy, into the water near the Kaawaloa lighthouse, which is located in a remote area on the northern edge of Kealakekua Bay. Medeiros said the youth were hiking the tidal pool after taking their kayak on shore when the waves rolled in.
Fire rescue personnel on Wednesday reported negative findings for the missing boy, but located two T-shirts and a blue rope.
The 14-year-old boy was picked up shortly after by passing boats. He was transported in critical condition to Kona Community Hospital and later taken to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further care, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
While the fire department noted the injured boy was 14, police have listed him as 15 years old. There was no explanation for the discrepancy as of press time.
Hawaii Fire Department rescue personnel were slated to resume the search at first light Friday, Medeiros said.
