The Coast Guard searched Sunday for two possible persons in the water five miles north of Kawaihae.
Watchstanders from the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center received notification from the Hawaii County Fire Department Sunday morning regarding a 12-foot Zodiac dinghy found adrift offshore by a mariner. Reports were also received of a man and a woman seen by fellow campers using a dinghy matching the description of the one found.
The dinghy has evidence of recent use with two fishing rods, a tackle box and fresh fish in the cooler aboard. The owner of the Zodiac is thought to be Derek Liu. He is believed to own a green Nissan truck with a trailer that has been left at the campsite.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and the crew of the USCGC Ahi have been launched to search the area. Weather conditions are reportedly 8 mph winds with waves at 2 feet and approximately 8 miles of visibility.
Anyone with information that may help locate the owners of the dinghy is asked to contact the Sector Honolulu command center at 842-2600.