HANALEI — A North Shore surf instructor on Saturday rescued a family visiting from the Mainland who had been swept out to sea while bodyboarding at Hanalei Bay. “I got there just in time,” said Chris Ka‘aumoana, 44, of Hanalei.
HANALEI — A North Shore surf instructor on Saturday rescued a family visiting from the Mainland who had been swept out to sea while bodyboarding at Hanalei Bay.
“I got there just in time,” said Chris Ka‘aumoana, 44, of Hanalei. “They were past the middle of the bay, heading toward the surf spot known as ‘Middles.’”
The surf was in the 4- to 6-foot range with strong offshore winds, he said.
It took over an hour and a half to bring the man and three boys, none of whom were wearing fins, to shore, Ka‘aumoana said.
“They were so happy,” he said of their reaction after being brought to safety.
The surf instructor said this is his 47th rescue this year, the first year he has kept record.
County lifeguards assisted later, but the extent of which could not be determined by press time.