UPDATE: Search for missing Kapaʻa man to continue at first light Friday in waters off Kahili Beach

Update at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 29, 2026: Kaua‘i Fire Department reports that the search for missing 19-year-old Kapa‘a resident Matthew Packard-Asai will continue until sundown today (Jan. 29) and then resume at first light Friday (Jan. 30).

Any additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Packard-Asai was last seen Wednesday (Jan. 28) fishing on rocks near the northern point of Kahili Beach before he was reportedly swept away by surf.

Story published at 10:26 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026: First responders continued searching Thursday for a missing fisherman at Kahili Beach in Kīlauea after two men were swept into the water a day earlier, authorities said.

The missing man was identified as 19-year-old Matthew Packard-Asai of Kapaʻa.

According to a preliminary report, crews were dispatched shortly after 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 28 after receiving a report of two fishermen in distress. Responding agencies included the Kauaʻi Fire Department, Kauaʻi Police Department, American Medical Response, the U.S. Coast Guard, Kauaʻi Search and Rescue, and state officials.

One fisherman was safely brought to shore and treated for a laceration to the leg before being transferred to American Medical Response for further care.

Kauaʻi Police Department and Kauaʻi Search and Rescue personnel continued search efforts overnight using drones equipped with heat-detection technology, officials said.

The second fisherman remains missing, and the multi-agency search was ongoing. Authorities said additional information will be released as it becomes available.