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Coast Guard suspends its search for missing hiker off Hanauma Bay


The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing 34-year-old female hiker, in the vicinity of Hanauma Bay. However the Fire Department and Ocean Safety search was set to continue Monday.

The Coast Guard covered approximately 4,027 square miles for approximately 52 hours before suspending efforts Sunday, according to a Coast Guard news release.

The Coast Guard search included an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and three MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake, two 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crews from Coast Guard Station Honolulu, and a Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crew.

The Coast Guard began searching for the missing woman on Friday after the Honolulu Police Department recovered the body of a male hiker.

Hikers found the bags of Noemi Alcotas and Jojo Acosta, both 34, in a prohibited area south of Hanauma Bay about 1 p.m. Friday. Rescuers speculate that a large wave near a dangerous attraction called Rock Bridge swept the couple into the ocean.

Firefighters recovered Acosta’s body about two hours later and continued searching for Alcotas.

“The decision to suspend our active search efforts is always difficult and was not made lightly, but one that had to be made at this time,” said Capt. Shannon Gilreath, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu commanding officer said in a news release. “Our thoughts go out to her family, friends and loved ones.”

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