Coast Guard calls off search for missing kayaker, 18

The Coast Guard has called off its search for a missing 18-year-old kayaker, but Honolulu Fire Department crews and volunteers will resume the search for Dayne Ortiz at first light.

“The decision to suspend our active search efforts is always a difficult decision, but one that had to be made at this point in time,” said Capt. Shannon Gilreath, commanding officer for Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Our hearts ache at the loss of this promising young man and our thoughts are with both the family and community that have shown how much he meant to them.”

The Coast Guard searched more than 720 square miles with Honolulu Fire Department boats and dive teams, the Coast Guard cutter Ahi, a 45-foot response boat, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Barbers Point.

Ortiz, a defensive back on the Farrington High School football team, was last seen when his kayak had overturned at about 6 p.m. Saturday. His brother attempted to swim out to assist in righting the kayak but was unable to reach him and returned to shore.

Dayne Ortiz was not wearing a life jacket.

His kayak later washed ashore, and during a scan of the area where Ortiz was last seen, HFD divers recovered two pieces of black board shorts that Ortiz’s parents identified as belonging to their son, according to fire department spokesman Capt. Carlton Yamada.

Diving activity was halted briefly today after a helicopter crew spotted two tiger sharks in the area.

Ortiz was fishing with his family at the beach near the Mokuleia polo field and was in the kayak to take a fishing line farther out to sea.

Sea conditions were rough.