Search continues for missing paddleboarder without Coast Guard
The Coast Guard ended its participation early Thursday morning in the search for a 62-year-old Maui paddleboarder.
However, Maui fire officials plan to continue searching the southeastern coast of the island today.
The man was last seen near Kaupo. He wearing a black top and black shorts. His board was sighted after he was reported missing at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The Coast Guard joined the search Wednesday night and suspended its efforts at 4 Thursday morning.
“Search crews scoured the shoreline from the central part of the bottom of Maui all the way down west of Kahoolawe for signs of the paddler,” said Chief Petty Officer Matthew Couling, Honolulu Sector Command Center search and rescue coordinator.
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The Coast Guard searched an area about the size of Molokai, more than 218 square miles, Couling said.
“It’s always unfortunate when we don’t reunite the missing with their family and friends.,” he said.