PO‘IPU — U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for a swimmer that went missing in the vicinity of Kihahouna Plantation near Po‘ipu, Kaua‘i Tuesday. Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators in Sector Honolulu were notified of the ongoing search
PO‘IPU — U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for a swimmer that went missing in the vicinity of Kihahouna Plantation near Po‘ipu, Kaua‘i Tuesday.
Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators in Sector Honolulu were notified of the ongoing search by Kaua‘i County Fire Department Personnel at 9 a.m.
Charles Edwin Slezak, an island visitor from California, is a 67-year-old male, six feet tall with a medium build at about 195 pounds. He is of Caucasian descent with black hair, green eyes and a fair complexion.
Slezak was last seen wearing black and white floral surf shorts, a light blue collared T-shirt and carrying pink swim-fins Monday at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Air 1 and fire rescue personnel have been searching the coastal area of Po‘ipu since this morning.
A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point is currently on scene and searching the area. Additionally, the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island, 110-foot patrol boat, is in route from Nawiliwili Harbor and will begin searching upon arrival to the search area.
“The Coast Guard is looking for any information that can assist in the search for Mr. Slezak,” said Lt. Leigh Cotterell, Sector Honolulu’s public affairs officer.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of the missing swimmer call KPD Dispatch at 241-1711, Investigative Services Bureau at 241-1696 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
