The Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department are searching for a 66-year-old missing fisherman whose kayak was found Thursday morning floating 300 yards off the Kawaihae Harbor entrance.

A fire official said sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. a fisherman reported the vacant kayak adrift.

The fire department said the kayaker is a 66-year-old Waikoloa resident.

The Coast Guard said the green kayak had fishing gear and a cooler in it.

The man is described as Caucasian, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, wearing black shorts and a fishing shirt.

The Coast Guard sent out an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point to search along with the fire department helicopters and boats.

The Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake was also sent out.

The Coast Guard is using self-locating datum marker buoys and a search and rescue planning system to coordinate the search.

Mariners are asked to keep an eye out for the man, and to report any sightings over the VHF marine radio channel 16 or to call 842-2600.