Two searches offshore of Kauaʻi for two missing men suspended on Saturday

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended two separate searches at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday for two missing men offshore Kauaʻi.

Missing are Kyle Barrett, 37, who was last seen at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday near the entrance to the Queen’s Bath trailhead, and Bryson Higashi, 44, who was last seen at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Hanalei area.

While these cases are not connected, search efforts were conducted in the same general vicinity, the Coast Guard said in a news release Sunday.

In total, Coast Guard and local partner agency crews searched 3,237 square nautical miles for more than 127 combined hours for both individuals.

“Suspending a search is an incredibly difficult decision we make after carefully considering all available information,” said Cmdr. Andrew Williams, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Kauaʻi community and to the families and friends of both men.”

Search efforts began after Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received reports on Wednesday at 9:50 a.m. for Barrett and 7:36 p.m. for Higashi from Kauaʻi Fire Department dispatchers regarding possible missing persons in the water.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast for both individuals and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Station Kauai 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. Coast Guard Cutter William Hart also joined the search.

Other agencies involved in the search were the Kauaʻi fire and police departments, Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau, Kauai Search and Rescue and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.