Hawaii
Coast Guard, HFD search for missing kayaker off Hawaii Island
KONA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A kayaker has gone missing near Keauhou Sunday.
Jared Willeford, 42, was last seen launching his kayak the area at around 8 a.m. at the Keauhou boat ramp wearing orange bib pants.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it was notified by the Hawaii County Fire Department dispatch about an unmanned yellow kayak 400-yards offshore at around 10 a.m.
Willeford’s family and HFD confirmed that his truck and trailer are still at the boat ramp.
The Coast Guard said it is working with the county’s fire department in the search, and has deployed a HC-130 Hercules and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from USCG Air Station Barbers Point, alongside the USCG Cutter Oliver Berry.
The county fire department said they suspend their search efforts at sunset and resume at sunrise. Helicopter crews will continue to search through the night.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Coast Guard’s Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.
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