Missing Paddler Found off Molokai

By Wendy Osher

A paddler aboard a one-man canoe went missing for over an hour when his vessel overturned in waters off Kamalo, Molokai on Wednesday afternoon, November 2, 2011.

The incident was reported at 4:57 p.m. by fellow paddlers who had ventured out on the same route from Kamalo to Kaunakakai, on the South side of the island.

A total of seven one-man canoes departed from Kamalo.  A report of the missing paddler was initiated when one of the canoes was seen overturned, with no signs of the paddler.

Responding fire personnel spotted two parties aboard a single canoe, about a half-mile from shore, fronting Mile Marker 8 of the Kamehameha Highway in the Kamalo area.

Crews aboard Fire Department Jet Skis made contact with the paddlers, and confirmed that one of the individuals lost his canoe, and was helped by a fellow paddler in his group.

The paddler who lost his canoe was assisted to shore by a Jet Ski, while the others paddled in on their own.

All members were accounted for by 6:15 p.m.