Body of Fisherman Recovered in Hana

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui firefighters recovered the body of a fisherman from waters off of Wailua in East Maui on Wednesday.

Authorities have since identified the individual as a 39-year-old man from Deer Park, Washington.

The incident was reported at 2:56 p.m. in the ocean area near mile marker 44, just Hana side of Wailua.

When crews arrived at 3:18 p.m., an ocean search was launched. Fire Ski-7 and divers from Rescue-10 recovered the body approximately 200-feet off shore in about 20 to 25 feet of water.

The body was airlifted to shore by the Maui Fire Department’s Air-1 helicopter at around 4 p.m.

Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said the man told his friend that he was going fishing. Soon after, his friend heard someone yelling for help, and observed the man in the water sink and disappear.

Also responding to the scene were crews from Engine-7.