Fire rescue personnel resumed searching Thursday morning for the 32-year-old Haleiwa man missing since Wednesday, but large waves around Waimea Bay are hampering efforts to search some shorelines and waters.

The surfboard belonging to Kirk Passmore was recovered Wednesday at Chun’s Reef,  after friends reported that he had gotten in trouble at a break on the Haleiwa side of Waimea Bay known as Alligator Rock around 11:20 a.m. His surfboard had been broken in half and its leash was missing.

Capt. Terry Seelig, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman, said the Coast Guard searched Wednesday night using night vision goggles and is continuing to search today.

At first light this morning  just after 5:30 a.m. the fire department  also resumed its search efforts, but was kept out of the water because of the high surf.

Seelig also said the department’s helicopter also was launched at the same time.

“The swells are still very large,” Seelig added, “so we are only able to do an aerial search at this point.”

Seelig said fire rescue personnel will coordinate its search efforts with city life guards.

A high-surf warning was in effect Wednesday and continues today for north and east shores of most islands.