U.S. Coast Guard search for missing kayaker off West Hawai‘i shoreline

The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a man who went missing after launching a kayak off the North Kona coast.

According to the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center, watchstanders received a report at 10:09 a.m. from Hawai‘i Fire Department dispatchers regarding an unmanned yellow kayak 400 yards offshore from Keauhou.

The kayak is believed to belong to Jared Willeford, 42, who was last seen launching the yellow watercraft at approximately 8 a.m.

Willeford’s family members and Hawai‘i Fire crews confirmed that his truck and trailer are still located at the Keauhou boat ramp. Willeford was last seen wearing orange bib pants.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to aid in the search.

Involved in the search are:

• Coast Guard Sector Honolulu
• Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point
• Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124)
• Hawai‘i County Fire Department

Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.