Teen kayaker rescued after 12‑hour fight against ocean currents
Seventeen-year-old Kahiau Kawai spent nearly 12 hours in the ocean after his kayak overturned during a school practice. Thanks to the efforts of rescuer Noland Keaulana and emergency services, the teenager was found and brought safely to shore.
6:08 AM EDT, October 22, 2024
Wednesday evening started as usual for Noland Keaulana. While he was fixing his car at his grandparents' house, he received a notification about a 17-year-old boy who had gone missing off the coast of Honolulu. When his wife called with the news that the missing person was their friend's son, Keaulana, a 16-year veteran of the Ocean Safety Department, decided to take action.
"I knew I couldn't waste any more time," said Keaulana in an interview with CNN.
During this time, Kahiau Kawai had been battling strong currents that were pushing him away from shore. His kayak overturned during his school kayak team's practice.
"It was really tough out there; the waves were very strong, and I just couldn't fight the current. When the sun started to set and I was drifting further as it got darker, that's when I started to worry," recounted Kahiau.
Without a paddle, he clung to his 20-foot surf ski kayak, alternating between lying on it and swimming beside it. He yelled for help, but nearby boats were too far away to hear him.
"I saw helicopters flying over the same spot many times, but they didn't reach as far as I was, which scared me a bit," he recalled. "At some point, I knew I couldn't fight the current, so I tried to relax and stay calm," he added.
The 17-year-old fought for his life for 12 hours at sea. He was rescued
His plan was to stay calm, keep swimming, and when the current weakened, try to slowly return to where he fell from the kayak.
The search began around 6:30 PM, when his teammates noticed he was missing and called 911. The operation involved the fire department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and over 50 people.
Keaulana joined the search, feeling increasing anxiety. "I was starting to lose hope. I don't know if he's still holding onto the kayak or if he gave up; I'm thinking of the worst-case scenario. I was mad at myself for not heading out earlier," he admitted.
Around 4 AM, after more than eight hours of searching, a Coast Guard aircraft crew spotted the kayak and the teenager holding onto it. They shot a flare to mark the position and directed Keaulana there.
"He just appeared before my eyes. He was kicking his legs in the water, holding onto the middle of the kayak. I see his head above the water, and I think: is he alive?" recounted Keaulana. "I called out, 'Kahiau?' and when he replied, 'Yes,' very calmly, I just broke down in tears," he added.
When he was pulled aboard, Kahiau had spent almost 12 hours in the ocean. One of the first things he said after being rescued was, "I'm worried my mom is worried about me," conveyed Keaulana.
Kahiau was taken to the hospital in serious, but stable condition and treated for hypothermia and injuries. He was discharged from the hospital on Saturday morning.
