After receiving a report from the Hawaiʻi County Fire Department stating a good Samaritan found a canoe adrift off shore, the Coast Guard and Hawaiʻi County Fire Department are searching for a missing paddler after his canoe was found adrift 1 mile off Honaunau Beach on Saturday, June 5, 2021.  The canoe was discovered to belong to the paddler who regularly takes his canoe out nearby. His car was found at the beach with his phone inside.

The 66-year-old paddler is described as being 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 155 pounds and was last seen wearing a white long sleeve rash guard and black board shorts. Waterway users in the area are asked to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress and anyone with information is requested to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.

Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners, launched Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart (WPC 1134) to conduct searches of the area.

Hawaiʻi County Fire Department also deployed ground crews, a helicopter crew, and a boat crew in response.