Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
Emergency responders from city and federal agencies rescued three kayakers beset by strong winds off Kaena Point on Saturday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Honolulu Fire Department notified the Coast Guard about the kayakers in distress about 10 a.m., and a Coast Guard helicopter crew already patrolling in the area located two of the kayakers who had tied themselves together.
Lifeguards using personal watercraft reached the two kayakers and towed them back to shore, the Coast Guard said. Firefighters spotted the third kayaker about 300 yards offshore and towed the kayaker safely back to shore.
Coast Guard Lt. Kevin Edes said the two kayakers who tied themselves together acted correctly to improve their chances of being located quickly.
"By tying their kayaks together, they became a larger target more easily seen from the air," Edes said in a news release.
The Coast Guard reminded boaters to always wear a life jacket and file a float plan with a friend, and highly encouraged recreational boaters to have an emergency position indicating radio beacon.
2 injured in minivan crash in Mililani
Two men were injured Saturday after the minivan they were traveling in crashed into a tree in Mililani.
The crash occurred around 2:22 p.m. on Kamehameha Highway near Kuahelani Avenue.
The 57-year-old driver and a 76-year-old passenger were taken to an area hospital in stable condition.
76