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Coast Guard aids kayaker in distress off Hawaii island

The Coast Guard is responding to a kayaker who drifted offcourse to Hawaii island Tuesday.

The kayaker called at 6:29 p.m. via cell phone; he was 19 miles off Hawaii island northeast of Kohala.

The Coast Guard said the 38-year-old man was going to Hawaii island from Maui when he reportedly lost sight of the island due to volcanic smog and drifted off course.

Watchstanders were able to triangulate his signal with the aid of Hawaii County Police Dispatch to determine his location.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Barbers Point diverted from training flights to the kayaker’s location. The Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, homeported in Hilo, is en route to assist.

The HC-130 Hercules crew arrived on scene at 7:15 p.m. and dropped a radio and lifejacket to the kayaker. The kayaker has no other life saving equipment aboard. Due to depleted cell phone battery, the airplane crew dropped a radio to establish communication with the kayaker.

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