Father and Son Rescued After Becoming Separated from Kayaks in Olowalu

A 47-year-old man and his 11 year old son were rescued from waters off of Olowalu on Maui after failing to return from a fishing excursion aboard two kayaks offshore on Sunday afternoon.

The incident was reported via a 9-1-1 call at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, by a family member who said the pair had not been seen from shore for about two hours.

A crew aboard the Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter spotted the two kayaks unattended approximately seven miles offshore; and a crew aboard a rescue boat located a kayak paddle closer to shore.

A focused search area was defined, and all responding units systematically patterned their efforts, according to Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro.

Approximately an hour into the search, personnel aboard a Jet Ski located the two missing individuals about a mile offshore.  They were both assisted onto the Jet Ski and brought back to shore where they were reunited with family. Both kayaks were retrieved and secured by a crew aboard the department’s rescue boat.

Both individuals were reportedly exhausted, but in good condition.  Officials say they are both residents of Maui.

Fire officials reported conditions on scene to include winds blowing offshore at approximately 10 mph.

Responding units included: Engine 3, Ladder 3 on Rescue Boat (RB3), Ocean Safety JS 3, Rescue 10 on Air 1 and a battalion chief.