UPDATE: U.S. Coast Guard, partners search for missing man off Kauaʻi beach

Update at 10:02 p.m. Jan. 28, 2026: U.S. Coast Guard and several partner agencies are searching for a missing man in waters off a Kauaʻi beach.

Matthew Kai’mana Packard-Asai was last seen Wednesday (Jan. 28) fishing on the rocks near the northern point of Kahili Beach in Kīlauea. The 19-year-old is about 5-foot-7, with black hair and wearing a black hat, black shorts and black shirt.

Coast Guard Station Kauaʻi personnel received a radio call at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday from friends of Packard-Asai, stating they saw the surf sweep him away.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Station Kauaʻi 45-foot response boat-medium crew, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry.

Involved in the search are:

• Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.
• Coast Guard Station Kauaʻi.
• Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.
• Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry.
• Kauaʻi Fire Department.
• Kauaʻi Police Department.
• Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau.

Anyone with information that can help with the search efforts should contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu Command Center at 1-800-552-6458.

Original story published at 4:02 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026: First responders are continuing their search for a swimmer reported missing at Kahili Beach on Wednesday.

Officials said emergency crews were dispatched to Kīlauea shortly after 12:15 p.m. on Jan 28, following reports of two swimmers in distress.

Responders from the Hanalei Fire Station, Kauaʻi Fire Department Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, Kauaʻi Police Department, American Medical Response, the U.S. Coast Guard, and state agencies took part in the response.

One swimmer was safely brought to shore and treated for a leg laceration before being transported by American Medical Response for further care, officials said. The second swimmer remains unaccounted for, and search efforts continue.

Authorities said additional information will be released as it becomes available.