LUMAHA‘I — Multiple agencies resumed search operations Sunday for a 25-year-old man from New Jersey who was swept out to sea Saturday in waters off Lumaha‘i on the North Shore.
The Kaua‘i Police Department has identified the man as Matthew Preziose.
Sunday’s efforts, like Saturday’s, were unsuccessful.
Rescuers were dispatched shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday when two swimmers were in distress in waters off Lumaha‘i Beach, near the Lumaha‘i River.
Lifeguards with the Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau North Roving Patrol Unit were first on scene, where bystanders reported that one swimmer made it safely to shore while the second swimmer, Preziose, was last seen being swept out to sea.
Hanalei firefighters, the county emergency helicopter, rescue specialists from the Lihu‘e fire station, the OSB East Roving Patrol lifeguards and a battalion chief also responded to the scene and began an extensive search for the missing man, focusing from the reefs off Ha‘ena point to Hanalei Bay, with an emphasis on the Lumaha‘i Beach area. Officials from the U.S. Coast Guard also joined the search, utilizing their water and air assets.
Due to darkness, firefighters and lifeguards suspended their search Saturday evening at approximately 6 p.m. U.S. Coast Guard personnel continued to search through the night, with no sign of the missing swimmer.
The search was resumed Sunday morning with the same county assets, and were joined by state Department of Land and Natural Resources personal watercraft resources, along with air and water assets from the U.S. Coast Guard. Shoreline searches were conducted Sunday by the Kaua‘i Police Department and DLNR.
It was unclear if rescue efforts were to resume this morning.
Preziose is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and was last seen wearing blue swim shorts. Anyone with information about him is urged to call KPD dispatch at 241-1711.
Kauai is not Disneyland, it is very dangerous, especially in winter.