KAILUA-KONA — U.S. Coast Guard and Hawaii Fire Department personnel spent Monday afternoon searching for an overdue diver off Pahoehoe Beach in Kailua-Kona.
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched and searched the surrounding areas, along with a Hawaii County helicopter, rescue boat and ground crews. The crew from USCGC Kiska was also en route to assist in the search.
The initial call was made to Hawaii Fire Department by a good Samaritan who is an experienced diver. The person said the man was Caucasian, looked to be in his early 20s, about 150 pounds with red hair. He was reportedly wearing blue board shorts and a white rash guard with blue lettering.
The man was last seen at 12:40 p.m. leaving the beach to swim out to the farthest rocks with fins, a mask, diving gear and a back up regulator, the Coast Guard said.
The good Samaritan watched since the diver was going out alone, did not have a float or any safety gear and noticed, based on experience, the diver only had enough air for a maximum of 80 minutes. After two hours, they reported the diver overdue to the Hawaii Fire Department who relayed the report to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center at 2:11 p.m.
Weather conditions were reported as 10 mph winds with waves of 2 feet and approximately 6 miles of visibility.
Anyone with information that may help locate the diver is asked to contact the Sector Honolulu command center at 842-2600.