KILAUEA — A coordinated search by rescue personnel for an 80-year-old Kilauea man missing since Monday began at twilight yesterday morning and continued into the evening. As of last night, Hanalei firefighters, Rescue-3, Zodiac-1 and lifeguards on Jet Skis continued
KILAUEA — A coordinated search by rescue personnel for an 80-year-old Kilauea man missing since Monday began at twilight yesterday morning and continued into the evening.
As of last night, Hanalei firefighters, Rescue-3, Zodiac-1 and lifeguards on Jet Skis continued to look for local fisherman Robert Nakashima Sr. along the coast of Kilauea this afternoon.
Nakashima reportedly went fishing alone early Monday at Rock Quarry Beach in Kilauea, and never returned home. His fishing bag was located yesterday morning at Makapili Point near Secret Beach in Kilauea.
Fire officials said yesterday that their efforts, which were hampered by poor visibility and strong currents, would continue until dusk, at which time a plan of action for today would be determined.
They were assisted by friends and relatives of Nakashima along the shoreline.
Family and friends became concerned when Nakashima didn’t return home by late afternoon Monday. They set out to find him, but were only able to locate his pickup truck.
They contacted police dispatch, which in turn contacted the Hanalei substation. A police officer and Hanalei fire fighters responded to the call.
Due to darkness-related hazards, the decision was made to begin searching for Nakashima at first light yesterday.
Coast Guard began its aerial and water search at 4 a.m., followed by an aerial search by Air-1 and rescue specialists.
Coast Guard personnel returned to their O‘ahu headquarters around noon and were in standby mode, according to county officials.
Zodiac-1 was launched for shoreline and water searches at around 8:30 a.m.
