Missing swimmer a false alarm Monday afternoon

KAPAA — A report of a missing swimmer off Kapaa was a false alarm but brought a major response in the early afternoon Monday.

Kauai Police Dispatch alerted water rescue to a report of a missing swimmer at Kapaa Beach Park just behind the Kapaa Library about 1:15 p.m. Witnesses had reported a surfer waving for help as another person went under and did not come back up.

Kauai Fire Department responded with a dozen personnel, two rescue trucks and an engine. The Air 1 county rescue helicopter also joined the search, along with a private ambulance.

Air 1 made sweeps on the Kapaa coastline, as lifeguards searched the turbulent channel area on their boards. Volunteers on kayaks joined the search.

On shore, KFD officials questioned witnesses but could not find a person who reported that a friend or relative was missing. After about an hour, Air 1 was sent back to the hangar on stand-by, and fire officials remained on the scene. About 2:45 p.m., KFD reported that without a definitively reported swimmer in distress or a missing person, the search would have to be canceled.

“We were unable to substantiate this report,” said KFD spokesperson Sarah Blane. “We did a full search of the surrounding area and could not locate anyone in distress.”

Bystanders on the walking path said there appeared to be two people in the water and after going out more than 150 yards, they appeared to be in trouble. A man on a board near the Moikeha canal was creating a ruckus and that is when someone called for help.

Veronica Castillo said three of her brothers were diving at the end of the channel rocks and that there was some yelling back and forth to shore about someone’s fishing line being cut.

“Someone might have misunderstood that to mean there was someone in trouble,” Castillo said.

Her brothers took part in the search for the reported swimmer after responders arrived but did not see anyone, she said.

“It’s always better to have something not happen,” Castillo said.