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Coast Guard cutter joins search for tourist missing off Kauai


The search for a missing 62-year-old man from San Francisco who was swept into rough waters off Kalihiwai will continue today.

The Coast Guard will search through the night for one of two men who were swept into waters off Kauai’s north shore Monday.

According to the Kauai Fire Department, two visitors from San Francisco were walking along a rocky shoreline between Kalihiwai Bay and Kauapea Beach around 11:30 a.m. when high surf swept them into the ocean.

One of the visitors, a 47-year-old man, was able to swim back to the rocks and was recovered by a KFD helicopter crew. He was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

The other man, age 62, remains missing. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

Teaming in the search are the fire department, the Coast Guard, Ocean Safety, and Kauai Police Department personnel.

The Coast Guard dispatched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Station Kauai. The 87-foot Coast Guard cutter Kittiwake was expected to arrive this evening and search throughout the night.

In addition, a HC-130 Hercules airplane is expected to join the search on Tuesday.

Coast Guard rescue crews had covered some 54 square miles as of this evening.

Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said the area where the two swimmers were swept into sea occurred in the same general area where Adam Griffiths and Brian Baker drowned in January. 

Griffiths and Baker, both of San Francisco, were hiking with friends along a remote rocky area when Baker, 47, was struck by a rogue wave. Griffiths, 46, attempted to rescue him but also was swept into sea. 

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