Standup Paddle Boarder Rescued at Honokowai

At 10:33 a.m. Saturday morning, firefighters and ocean safety personnel responded to two standup paddle boarders in distress offshore of Kaanapali Shores Place, in West Maui.

Resort security patrolling the area called it in after watching them struggle to make any progress against the wind.

Lahaina firefighters arrived on the beach fronting the Maui Kai Resort at 10:41 a.m.

Witnesses pointed out a male swimming towards shore, still about 25 yards out.

The man had lost his board in the wind and eventually swam in on his own.

A female that was with the man, lost her board as well, and was drifting in the water about ¼ to ½ mile offshore.

An ocean safety rescue watercraft picked up the woman and brought her safely back to shore.

Both did not require any medical attention.

The 48-year-old man and 52-year-old woman visiting from Sausalito, California, were caught by the stiff tradewinds and could not make progress getting back to shore.

Wind conditions at the time, was blowing in upwards of 25 mph.

The couple lost their paddle boards after falling off and not being able to catch the boards drifting away with the wind.

They were not wearing ankle leashes attached to the boards.

A Lahaina engine crew and ocean safety personnel from Kaanapali responded to the incident.