Rescue crews Monday still were searching for a missing 13-year-old boy who jumped off a cliff Sunday at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area and failed to resurface.
Rescue crews Monday still were searching for a missing 13-year-old boy who jumped off a cliff Sunday at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area and failed to resurface.
Authorities have not released the boy’s identity, but say he was last seen wearing a black shirt and black shorts.
Rescuers with the Hawaii Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard have been looking for the boy since 10:21 a.m. Sunday and now are calling the search “a recovery.”
As of press time Monday, the search had yet to yield results.
West Hawaii Battalion Fire Chief Reuben Chun said rescue crews were doing what they can to locate the boy. He expressed appreciation for the public’s interest, as well as offers to help. He asked those in the area to keep an eye out, stay safe and contact the appropriate authorities if they have any useful information.
Facing rough ocean conditions, poor visibility, unpredictable currents and strong offshore winds, Fire Department divers Monday stuck close to the approximately 15-foot cliff, known as “Jump Rock,” and the area just south of the popular beach where the boy was last seen.
Participating in the search at about 11 a.m. Monday were seven Fire Department personnel on a rescue boat, three working from shore and a crew aboard a county helicopter. The Fire Department’s search extended roughly 1.5 miles from shore, while the Coast Guard searched even deeper in the ocean.
The Coast Guard used an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and crew from Air Station Barbers Point and the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, a 110-foot patrol boat based out of Hilo. The Coast Guard also provided the Fire Department information from its Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System, or SAROPS, a program that simulates the drift trajectory for search objects.
“Rescue planning is both an art and a science,” said Lt. Scott Branner of Coast Guard Sect Honolulu Command Center. “Tools like this one allow us to better support the Fire Department on this joint effort and help ensure effective use of resources as we work together on scene.”
Responding to the 10:04 a.m. report Sunday, rescue personnel arrived at the beach to find lifeguards actively searching for the boy amid moderate surf and wind conditions.
The boy reportedly jumped off the cliff with two other 13-year-old boys, but was unable to get out of the water. The two other boys subsequently reported him missing, according to the Fire Department, the lead agency in charge of the search.
Sunday’s search included crews aboard two Hawaii County helicopters and a rescue boat, as well as divers. Fire Department personnel and lifeguards searched the coastline. Several lifeguards stayed after their shifts and worked overtime to assist in the search. The Coast Guard also assisted in the effort.
Email Carolyn Lucas-Zenk at clucas-zenk@westhawaiitoday.com.