### Teen Rescued After 12-Hour Ordeal in Pacific Ocean

A 17-year-old student from Hawaii, identified as Kahiau Kawai, has been rescued after spending nearly 12 hours stranded in the Pacific Ocean when he separated from his high school paddling team. The dramatic rescue was made possible with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The incident began at approximately 7:27 p.m. on Wednesday, when the Honolulu Fire Department alerted Coast Guard Sector Honolulu that Kawai was missing. The teenager had capsized his 20-foot surf ski about half a mile south of Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort and was not wearing a life jacket at the time.

Rapid response measures were immediately enacted. A distress broadcast was issued, and a search operation was launched involving an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Honolulu.

Kawai was finally spotted around 4 a.m. on Thursday. An off-duty lifeguard from the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, acting as a good Samaritan, managed to rescue the exhausted teenager from the water. Kawai was promptly treated for injuries and hypothermia.

Remaining strong in the face of adversity, Kawai endured the long hours treading water and clinging to his kayak. The Coast Guard described the sequence of events as an "amazing rescue," noting that Kawai's condition, while serious, remains stable.

Kawai’s parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude in a statement, thanking the state, city, county, and federal rescue teams who worked tirelessly through the night. They also extended their thanks to the medical staff and to those who prayed for Kawai's safe return. The family's statement highlighted Kawai’s resilience and bravery during his harrowing ordeal.