Hawaii island firefighters recovered a body off Kailua-Kona early Monday after a visitor last seen at Old Kona Airport beach park was reported missing Sunday.
The Hawaii County Fire Department said a woman reported her 51-year-old husband missing after he was last seen walking north at the beach park to go snorkeling about three hours earlier.
Firefighters responded shortly before 5:40 p.m. Sunday. The Fire Department’s rescue boat and helicopter conducted a search along the rocky shoreline. The Coast Guard and police also assisted.
At 1:38 a.m. Monday a Coast Guard helicopter spotted a body about 1.5 miles off the beach park.
Fire rescue crews retrieved the body. The case has been turned over to police.
Oahu lifeguards are kept busy
Lifeguards rescued two surfers at a spot called “Backyards” on Oahu’s North Shore at about 11 a.m. today.
The surfers did not need help from paramedics, according to Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division spokeswoman Shayne Enright. Lifeguards, however, have been particularly busy with preventive actions.
“We do ask that people please read the warning signs and heed the advisories from lifeguards,” she said.
On Monday, Enright said, there had been six rescues on the North Shore and about 985 preventive actions, with the majority at Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach parks.
On Oahu’s West side there were no rescues, but about 300 preventive actions, mostly at Makaha Beach Park. On Oahu’s East side there were 21 rescues stretching from Hanauma Bay to Kailua Beach Park. There were about 1,000 preventive actions, mostly at Hanauma Bay.
