The Coast Guard was still searching this afternoon for a 63-year-old man from the Czech Republic who disappeared while swimming off Kauai.

The man was swimming in waters off Hanakapiai Beach about 1 p.m. yesterday when he began having difficulties, a Kauai news release said. A hiker notified lifeguards. 

A Coast Guard 47-foot motorboat from Kauai and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter began searching yesterday evening and continued the search this morning. As of 4 p.m. today, the Coast Guard covered a 150-square mile area, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Soto. The boat was called back, but the Coast Guard was still searching by helicopter.

The Kauai Fire Department ended its sea-based search today and will continue searching by air until sundown, a Kauai spokeswoman said. The Fire Department expects to continue its aerial search tomorrow morning.