The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a possible missing person in the waters off Champagne Ponds in Puna.
Logan Whitfield, 31, of Canada, was last seen headed to go swimming in the vicinity of the ponds around 6 p.m. Sunday but did not return. Whitfield’s mother contacted the U.S. Coast Guard at 9:15 p.m. when her son did not return after several hours, as they had agreed upon.
Whitfield is described at 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds with short black hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing black swim trunks, a black T-shirt, water shoes and had a black mask and snorkel.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Oahu, launched at 10:05 p.m. Sunday to search the area. Members from the Hawaii Police Department and Hawaii Fire Department are also conducting searches around the area.
An urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners was issued requesting boaters in the area to keep a sharp lookout.
Anyone with information of Whitfield’s whereabouts should contact the Coast Guard at 808-842-2600.