The Hawaii Fire Department rescued five people from the ocean after severe winds overturned their kayak and paddleboard off shore from Puako Beach Drive in South Kohala Monday morning.
Ocean Safety personnel responded shortly after 10 a.m. on a jet ski and located an overturned kayak with four persons clinging onto it as it was being driven further off shore by the wind. One adult and three children were retrieved from overturned kayak and brought to shore safely while one paddle boarder was also assisted to shore by Ocean Safety personnel.
The department’s Chopper 2 remained overhead to provide visual surveillance of the operation until all parties were brought to shore safety.
Sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph created extreme ocean conditions. The public is reminded to be aware of and familiarize themselves with ocean conditions prior to beginning any ocean related activities, HFD said in a news release on the rescue.