The Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a man in the water off Hawaiʻi Island.
Yesterday morning, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report from Hawaiʻi County Fire Department dispatchers regarding an unmanned yellow kayak 400-yards offshore from Keauhou.
The missing person has been identified as Jared Willeford, a 42-year-old man who was seen launching the yellow kayak at approximately 8 a.m. Willeford’s family members and Hawaii County Fire Department crews confirmed that his truck and trailer are still located at the Keauhou boat ramp. Willeford was last seen wearing orange bib pants.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to aid in the search.
Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.
