**Teen Kayaker Rescued After 12 Hours in Water Off Oahu’s Coast**

A 17-year-old kayaker was dramatically rescued after being separated from his high school paddling team and spending over 12 hours in the water. The young paddler capsized and was left treading water until he was found, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The ordeal began when the Honolulu Fire Department alerted the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu at 7:27 p.m. on Wednesday about the teen, who had gone missing roughly half a mile south of the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. The incident occurred when the teenager, not wearing a life jacket, fell off his 20-foot surf ski.

In response, the Coast Guard initiated an urgent maritime information broadcast and dispatched several assets, including an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point, and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Honolulu.

After nearly 12 hours, a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft located the teen around 4:20 a.m. on Thursday, using flares to mark the area. An off-duty lifeguard, who had been part of the search effort, reached the boy by boat shortly thereafter.

At 5:25 a.m., the lifeguard transported the 17-year-old to Emergency Medical Services at Ala Wai Harbor. The teen was treated for injuries and hypothermia before being taken to a nearby emergency room in serious but stable condition.

The rescuer recounted that the boy had been in shock but managed to stay afloat by using the kayak as a makeshift kickboard, unable to swim to shore due to strong currents. The lifeguard expressed his relief, mentioning, "I was actually crying my guts out because he was okay." The teen had also expressed concern for his mother, who he believed would be worried about his extended absence.

The rescue operation was a joint effort involving multiple agencies, including Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, Coast Guard Station Honolulu, the Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, Honolulu Airport Fire Rescue, and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.