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Maui firefighters rescued a 32-year-old Makawao kayaker after he was stranded overnight on a remote shoreline in East Maui.
On Monday afternoon, the kayaker launched from Nahiku landing when at some point ocean swells and wind conditions “picked up drastically,” said Maui Fire Department’s Spokesman Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto in a news release.
The kayaker broke his paddle when he attempted to return to the landing. He then started to drift and eventually ended up at a rocky shoreline in Nahiku.
Taomoto said he was stranded in the area due to steep cliffs. The kayaker’s cell phone also had no signal.
At about 7:10 a.m. the following morning, a couple from the mainland was watching the sunrise at the landing when the kayaker spotted them and used the light from his phone to get their attention.
The visitors saw a flashing light and the 32-year-old man waving his arms in distress.
Taomoto said the couple called 911 and the fire department’s Air 1 helicopter responded. Rescue crews hoisted him to the Nahiku landing. Taomoto said the kayaker did not suffer any injuries.
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