Two kayakers are rescued at sea

A man and woman were brought to shore after they were found clinging to overturned kayaks in choppy ocean conditions off the Kealia Boardwalk in north Kihei on Wednesday afternoon, a fire official said.

A Kihei fire crew and rescue watercraft operator responded to the 1:09 p.m. report of a kayaker who had lost his paddle, said acting Fire Services Chief Jeffrey Giesea. He said the fire crew arrived and spotted what turned out to be two kayaks overturned about 600 yards offshore and drifting south with two people clinging on for safety.

Winds had increased to 10 to 15 mph and ocean conditions were choppy, slowing the progress of the rescue watercraft, Giesea said. He said a U.S. Coast Guard crew from Maalaea Harbor reached the two people first and loaded both people and their kayaks aboard the Coast Guard vessel.

After taking the two people close to shore, firefighters and ocean safety officers helped get the two and their kayaks to the beach safely, Giesea said.

He said the man and woman, both 28-year-old Wailuku residents, had been fishing together in the kayaks when the wind picked up and they lost their oars and took on water. Their kayaks flipped over, Giesea said.

With the people and their kayaks safely on shore, firefighters and ocean safety officers left the scene at 2 p.m.

A Kahului rescue company also responded to the call, standing by in case it was needed.

The Maui News