2 Rescued from Windy Kīhei Waters

By Wendy Osher

Ocean safety crews rescued two individuals from windy waters along the South Maui shoreline on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013.

The first incident was reported at 11:18 a.m. about 400-yards offshore from the Maui Beach Vacation Club, where a first-time stand-up paddler was experiencing difficulty standing because of the wind, officials said.

The Lahaina woman, in her 20s, was picked up and towed to shore by ocean safety crews aboard a Jet Ski watercraft.

A second rescue was reported at 1:13 p.m. fronting Waipuʻilani Park near the Maui Sunset Resort, where a 41-year-old male windsurfer broke his rig, and was observed by witnesses trying for over an hour to make his way to shore, officials said.

Ocean safety crews aboard a Jet Ski watercraft met up with the man about 800-yards offshore and towed him in, according to department reports.

The windsurfer was “very tired,” but no medical attention was needed in either case, according to fire officials.

Fire crews from Kīhei’s Engine Company 6 and Ocean Safety’s Rescue Watercraft Jet Ski-6 responded to both ocean calls.