A 17-year-old kayaker in Hawaii was rescued after an overnight ordeal of nearly 12 hours clinging to his kayak in rough waters off the south shore of Oahu. The teenager had separated from his high school paddling team after capsizing during a training session, sparking a multi-agency search that involved the U.S. Coast Guard and local rescue teams.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the boy was last seen near Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, approximately half a mile offshore. He was paddling on a 20-foot surf ski but was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident. The high school team immediately alerted authorities when they realized he had gone missing. The Coast Guard’s Sector Honolulu watchstanders were notified by the Honolulu Fire Department at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday, prompting the launch of a search mission.
The rescue efforts involved an array of resources, including a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a HC-130 Hercules airplane, and a 45-foot response boat, all dispatched by Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and Coast Guard Station Honolulu. Meanwhile, the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department also deployed helicopter and boat crews to assist in the search.
For nearly 12 hours, the teenager fought strong currents while clinging to his overturned kayak. He tried to use the vessel as a makeshift kickboard, attempting to propel himself toward shore, but the conditions made it impossible. During the night, an aircraft from the Coast Guard spotted the boy around 4:20 a.m. on Thursday, releasing flares to mark the location. Soon after, an off-duty lifeguard, who had been actively searching, reached the boy by boat.
The lifeguard shared emotional details of the rescue during a press conference, stating that the teen was in shock and appeared unemotional when found. “He told me he was worried about his mother because she probably missed him,” said the rescuer, who was deeply moved by the experience. “I was crying my guts out because he was okay.”
The teen was transported to Ala Wai Harbor, where Emergency Medical Services personnel treated him for hypothermia and injuries. He was later taken to a local hospital, where he was listed in serious but stable condition. Despite his ordeal, officials expect him to make a full recovery.
The U.S. Coast Guard praised the collective efforts of all involved agencies, emphasizing that it was the coordination between Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, Honolulu Fire Department, and local safety departments that led to the successful rescue. The situation highlights the importance of safety precautions, including wearing life jackets, while participating in water sports, particularly in unpredictable ocean conditions.
