Two Maui Kayakers Rescued Near Lanai

By Wendy Osher

Manele Bay, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Two kayakers from Maui are safe after being rescued by Coast Guard crews near Malele Bay, Lanai on Tuesday.

The 18-year old men, were kayaking from Maui to Lanai when they sounded a distress beacon at around 6 p.m.

Coast Guard crews located one of the men in the water near his overturned kayak.  A rescue swimmer was lowered to retrieve the man, who was then airlifted to Kahului on Maui.

The other kayaker was located safely ashore several minutes later at Manele Bay. He was expected to spend the night on Lanai, and make the transit to Maui in this moring.

Assisting in the rescue was a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, from Coast Guard Station Maui, and an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter, from Air Station Barbers Point.

The Coast Guard reminds mariners that accidents can occur quickly and without warning. The agency recommends all mariners carry safety equipment such as flares, VHF radio and lifejackets. Personal locator beacons are an added layer of security that allows rescuers to quickly identify distress emergency within minutes of activation.