KALIHIWAI — The body of a man who was swept into the ocean by high surf Friday was successfully retrieved Saturday morning. Kaua‘i Fire Department rescue personnel continued their search into Saturday afternoon for the body of a second man
KALIHIWAI — The body of a man who was swept into the ocean by high surf Friday was successfully retrieved Saturday morning.
Kaua‘i Fire Department rescue personnel continued their search into Saturday afternoon for the body of a second man involved in the tragedy Friday at South Kalihiwai Point.
The victims are identified as Adam Griffiths, 46, and Brian Baker, 47. Both were visiting from San Francisco.
Rescuers located and retrieved the body of Griffiths Saturday morning and were continuing to search for Baker late into the afternoon.
According to reports from the Kaua‘i Fire Department, the two men were exploring the rocky coastal area south of Kalihiwai Bay with three other friends when a wave slammed into Baker and pulled him into the water.
Griffiths jumped in to try to save Baker but both drowned in the extremely rough surf.
Waves were between 15 and 30 feet, according to scanner chatter.
Rescuers resumed recovery efforts early Saturday morning after calling off the initial effort at 6:35 p.m. Friday due to lack of light and the dangerous ocean conditions.
Rescue personnel spotted one body in waters in the Kalihiwai area shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday morning, and it was retrieved using the Air 1 helicopter.
After retrieving the first body, Air 1 searched the North Shore coastal area from Kilauea Lighthouse to Pila‘a Beach, extending roughly half a mile offshore.
The search continued until about 2 p.m. without success.
The search was enhanced earlier in the day by a Jet Ski, however use of the water craft proved ineffective in the choppy waters and was discontinued by late morning.
Fire personnel continued to visually monitor the coastline in Kalihiwai until sundown Saturday, and intend to resume the air search this morning.
“We were notified by Bridges last night that we had two victims and are on standby to assist as needed,” said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitor’s Bureau.
Kanoho said Life’s Bridges Kaua‘i is a team of volunteers who offer bereavement services for visitors.
“We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims,” said Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., via email. “This is a terrible tragedy and our entire community mourns with you.”
Carvalho, who is currently attending meetings in Washington, D.C., also thanked rescue personnel from the KFD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Kaua‘i Police Department and Life’s Bridges Kaua‘i for their efforts to find the victims and support their friends and family.
“These tragedies are tough on our emergency responders, but they do what they have to do in order to address the situation in a manner that is safe and with the utmost compassion for the victims.”
Kaua‘i remains in a high surf warning for north-and west-facing shores through 6 a.m. today.
“No one should venture out without checking conditions,” Kanoho said.
She suggested tourists check www.KauaiExplorer.com or call 241-SURF to check on the most recent surf conditions before heading to locations around the island.
The Fire Department’s Ocean Bureau closed beaches at Ke‘e, Ha‘ena and Pine Trees Saturday, and allowed only limited swimming at Hanalei Pier.
The National Weather service advises that anyone entering the waters risks serious injury or death.
