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Teenage kayaker stranded off Waikiki, first responders who rescued him share harrowing story

A teenage kayaker who was lost at sea off Oahu’s south shore continues to recover in the hospital one day after his rescue.

By Mahealani Richardson and HNN Staff

Published: Oct. 18, 2024 at 6:44 AM HST|Updated: Oct. 18, 2024 at 7:55 AM HST

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A teenage kayaker who was lost in waters off Oahu’s south shore continues to recover in the hospital one day after his rescue.

Kelehua Kawai said Friday her 17-year old son, Kahiau Kawai, will undergo a few more tests to make sure his body is recovering properly after being in the ocean for nearly 12 hours.

Later, the family shared a video where he talked about his ordeal.

‘It just got darker and darker’

Kawai, a Kamehameha Schools student, was paddling with his kayaking team from Ala Wai Boat Harbor to Diamond Head at around 4 p.m. Wednesday when they encountered strong winds and rough seas.

They turned back but realized Kawai was missing, and called 911 at around 6:30 p.m.

Related story: ‘Emotional night’: After hours-long search, missing teen kayaker brought back to safety

Crews from the Honolulu Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, State Airports Division, and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a massive overnight search effort, covering an area of up to three miles offshore from Diamond Head to Nanakuli.

“I was clinging on to my boat and as I started drifting away, it just got darker and darker. I kind of freaked out for maybe a couple of minutes,” said Kawai.

Kawai said he shouted for help to nearby boats, but was too far away.

“I didn’t really have a choice but to kind of just relax,” he said.

Kelehua Kawai and her son, Kahiau Kawai, 17(Kawai family)

‘It was incredibly rewarding’

U.S. Coast Guard co-pilot Lt. j.g. Mike Valentine said during searches, they can see something in water for two seconds and then it’s gone.

But at around 4:20 a.m. Thursday, he spotted the teen clinging to his surf ski kayak about a half-mile off Kaimana Beach, near the Waikiki Natatorium.

“Initially when I saw his surf ski kayak, I think I said I got him,” said Valentine.

The crew of seven on that U.S. Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft dropped a flare to the water and contacted a good Samaritan boater, off-duty city lifeguard Noland Keaulana, who plucked the teen from the ocean.

“I was glad to see a familiar face. Uncle Noland is a great waterman,” said Kawai.

Lt. Cmdr. Zach Hunter, head pilot, U.S. Coast Guard, said, “It was incredibly rewarding. I’ll spare you the expletives when we confirmed that he was on that boat and especially when he got picked up by the (good Samaritan).”

Paramedics administered advanced life support to the teen, who was experiencing hypothermia, extreme dehydration, and severe cramping.

He was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Related Story: Off-duty lifeguard jumps into action to save teenage kayaker stranded in ocean

First responders say Kawai was found in around the same general area where he lost his paddle and got separated from his Kamehameha Schools kayaking team.

“He fell off the kayak in the right place where all the currents for that evening happen to be zigzagging around back and forth,” said Hunter.

“I think that in conjunction with him swimming actively to get back to shore would keep him in that general area,” he added.

Support, safety concerns continue

There are many unanswered questions about why the students were out in the open ocean during strong winds and rough seas on Wednesday.

Hawaii News Now has learned three out of five coaches were at practice that day before Saturday’s championship races in the Ala Wai Canal.

“Did they have all the right equipment? Did they have a life jacket? Did they have a phone? I suggest that anyone who goes out there has a phone with them in a bag,” said Shelley Oats, co-founder of Ikaika Hawaii, a youth-oriented nonprofit dedicated to water safety, skills, and stewardship.

“Our athletic directors are stepping in to support the KS kayak team, including providing coaching to those student athletes who want to compete in tomorrow’s ILH race at the Ala Wai,” said Kamehameha Schools in a statement.

As for Kahiau Kawai, he’s relieved to be healthy, safe and with those he loves.

“It’s cool to see all of them smile and just be happy that I made it back. It’s very relieving,” he said.

Kawai’s family says their goal is to encourage people to give a shoutout to all the agencies and Keaulana for saving him, and that the teen’s plan to get back to Waikiki kept him motivated.

Kahiau Kawai(Kawai family)

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