UPDATE: Body of Missing Fisherman Recovered Near Pokowai Sea Arch, Maui

Kahikinui 2.18.2016 (File photo: Ryan Piros)

UPDATE:

The body of a missing Kahului fisherman was recovered at around 9:22 a.m. about a mile west from where he fell into the water at the Pokowai Sea Arch in Kahikinui late Friday night.

The US Coast Guard found the lifeless body of the missing 48-year-old fisherman floating about 1.5 miles offshore.

A Coast Guard Station Maui, 45 foot response boat picked up the man and took him back to Māʻalaea Boat Harbor.

The incident was reported at 11:19 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, with firefighters responding to a fisherman that fell into the ocean while fishing at a spot known as, ‘The Arch,’ and could not be seen anymore. The fishing spot is near milepost 28 of Piʻilani Highway in the Kahikinui-Kaupō area.

Kula firefighters were on scene at 12:02 a.m. and met with the missing man’s fishing partner.

The man fell about 10 feet from the rocks where they were fishing, to the water, but he could not climb back up. Emergency crews, including a fire rescue company from Kahului were unable to locate the missing fisherman after an initial search of the area.

At first light Saturday morning, MFD dispatched the department’s Air 1 helicopter to provide air support while rescue swimmers conducted underwater searches and grounds crews walked the shoreline.

The Coast Guard sent a Maui Station ground crew and 45 foot response boat from Mōalaea, as well as a Cutter and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Honolulu to assist in the search.

The Maui Fire Department extended its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

The Maui Fire Department also thanked the men and women of Coast Guard Station Maui and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu for their assistance and continual support in maritime search and rescue incidents.

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The Coast Guard and Maui Fire Department are currently searching for a missing fisherman near the Pokowai Sea Arch on Maui, located in Kahikinui between the Manawainui and Waiʻōpae Gulches.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification at 2 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 from the Maui Fire Department of a 49-year-old man who fell off the sea arch and was last seen floating on his back.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Maui and USCGC Ahi (WPB 87364) are currently searching the area.  At first light on Saturday, crews from the Maui Fire Department plan to search with ground crews and a rescue boat with divers.

The Coast Guard has issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast requesting the assistance of mariners in the area to keep a sharp look out and report any sightings to command center watch standers at ‪(808) 842-2600.

Weather conditions in the area are forecast as winds 15 mph with wind waves at 3 feet and swell to 5 feet.