Official Report….Puna Coastline 1 Mile Hilo of Kumukahi….Swimmer in distress

Friday, 7:01pm, 11/10/2023

9 HFD apparatus including chopper & plane, 14 HFD personnel

Swimmer in distress found in waters off Puna
Coastline near area of Kumukahi lighthouse.

HFD, HPD and Coast Guard responded for a swimmer in distress in the waters off the
Puna coastline near the Kumukahi lighthouse. Co-10, C-01, Co-02, Coast Guard C-130
and rescue Chopper responded to this incident. Upon arrival the person was found
Aprox 100 yards off shore in the water and was holding on to a makeshift floatation
device. The Coast Guard was able to deploy a rescue raft from the C-130 and the
swimmer was able to safely make it to the raft. The swimmer remained safely in the
raft for some time but due to rough waters and windy conditions the raft was forced
back toward the cliffs. The swimmer was able to climb the cliff to safety with
assistance from HFD personnel. The swimmer suffered from some minor scratches
and slight hypothermia. First aid was administered but the person refused further
treatment or transport by EMS. All units returned to quarters.