### Teen Kayaker Rescued in Joint Effort by Coast Guard and Local Agencies

A 17-year-old kayaker was successfully rescued off the coast of Waikiki through the collaborative efforts of the Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department, and Honolulu Ocean Safety Department.

The incident began on Wednesday evening when the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu was informed by the Honolulu Fire Department at 7:27 p.m. about a 17-year-old boy who had become separated from his high school paddling team approximately one-half mile south of the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. The teenager's 20-foot surf ski had reportedly capsized, and he was not wearing a life jacket at the time.

In response to the urgent situation, the Coast Guard issued a maritime information broadcast and dispatched multiple teams, including an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, as well as a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Honolulu.

The search efforts paid off early Thursday morning when, at 4:03 a.m., the Hercules airplane crew located the teenager clinging to his kayak offshore the War Memorial Natatorium. A flare was deployed to mark the location, and a nearby good Samaritan, who happened to be an off-duty lifeguard with the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, was directed to rescue the boy.

By 5:25 a.m., the good Samaritan had transported the teenager to Emergency Medical Services personnel at Ala Wai Harbor. The boy was treated for injuries and hypothermia before being taken to a local emergency room, where he was reported to be in serious but stable condition.

The Coast Guard, alongside the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, will be holding a joint press briefing to provide further details on this successful rescue operation.