LIHU‘E — Two men were swept to sea near Kalihiwai on Kaua‘i’s North Shore Monday morning. One of them was rescued, but the second had not been found by press time and is presumed dead. The men, along with two
LIHU‘E — Two men were swept to sea near Kalihiwai on Kaua‘i’s North Shore Monday morning. One of them was rescued, but the second had not been found by press time and is presumed dead.
The men, along with two other friends, were in a remote location near South Kalihiwai Point at around 11:30 a.m. Monday, according to county officials. They were reportedly walking along the rocky shoreline when they were swept into the ocean by a powerful wave.
One of them, a 47-year-old male, was able to make it back to shore and was transported to Wilcox Hospital with non-life threatening injuries while the search continued for the second victim, according to a county press release.
Personnel from the Kaua‘i Fire Department, the Ocean Safety Bureau and the U.S. Coast Guard worked through the treacherous ocean conditions but were unable to locate him.
Scanner chatter indicates that rescuers saw a body floating about 100 yards offshore, and then at least twice near the rocky shoreline.
At about 4:45 p.m., KFD called off the search, but the Coast Guard continued to search for the man for a while longer.
The search is scheduled to continue today, according to a county press release.
The missing man’s identity has not been released, but county officials said he is believed to be a visitor.
The incident occurred within a few hundred feet of the double-drowning of two San Francisco men on Jan. 18, when Brian Baker, 47, was swept into the ocean by a rogue wave. His friend, 46-year-old Adam Griffiths, attempted to save his friend but was also overcome by the high surf. Rescuers were able to recover the body of Adam Griffiths but Brian Baker’s body was never recovered.
A high-surf advisory remains in effect for all north- and west-facing shores through 6 a.m. today. The National Weather Service reports that surf is expected to build up to 24 feet with strong breaking waves and a pounding shoreline.
Beachgoers are urged to visit www.kauaiexplorer.com to stay up-to-date with ocean conditions.
