KALAPAKI — Following a four-day air, land and sea-based search for missing 55-year-old Scott Akina, of Kilauea, rescuers suspended the search Saturday. Akina is believed to have drowned Tuesday in the vicinity of Ninini Beach, where he was reportedly swimming
KALAPAKI — Following a four-day air, land and sea-based search for missing 55-year-old Scott Akina, of Kilauea, rescuers suspended the search Saturday.
Akina is believed to have drowned Tuesday in the vicinity of Ninini Beach, where he was reportedly swimming at the time of his disappearance.
Personnel from the Kaua‘i Fire Department, the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Ocean Safety Bureau, the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard have been searching for Akina since Tuesday night.
An aerial search was suspended Friday afternoon, and DOCARE and Coast Guard personnel were only expected to be on standby Saturday, but both agencies reported to the scene in the morning to assist the Kaua‘i police and fire departments in the final day of the search.
With no sign of Akina’s body, the active search was called off at noon. The Coast Guard says it used a helicopter, a cutter and coastal patrol boat to look for the man, and the fire department used sonar to check the shoreline.
The agency said in a release Friday night that search teams from several agencies covered an area of more than 6,200 square miles.
The teams worked through hazardous conditions throughout the week, including high surf advisories and strong winds, with up to five vessels, four Jet Skis, and two helicopters searching the sea and shoreline from Hanama‘ulu to Kalaheo, while up to 20 police officers walked the coastline on foot from Ahukini Landing to the south end of the Nawiliwili Harbor.
“Our community join’s Scott Akina’s family and friends in mourning his loss, and our hearts and prayers are with them during this incredibly difficult time,” states Mayor Bernard Carvalho. “We also express our gratitude to rescuers from our local, state and federal agencies who have put forth their best effort this week in trying to locate him.”
Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry said the decision to suspend the active search was difficult.
“Being able to recover a body following a drowning is always an important goal for our rescuers as we understand that while we cannot ease the pain of the family’s loss, it would at least provide them some closure,” Perry said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to accomplish that goal this week. We will continue to respond to any reports of his body possibly being located, but have made the difficult decision to suspend the active search (Saturday). We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Scott Akina and our sincere appreciation to the crews of the many agencies who assisted in the extensive search effort.”
