Coast Guard, partners search for man in water off Hawaii > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases

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Coast Guard Lt. Camden Cecchini, a pilot assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, Hawaii, mans the controls of a Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane during a training flight offshore Oahu April 24, 2025. The Coast Guard utilizes the HC-130 to support missions such as search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Robertson)

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Coast Guard Lt. Camden Cecchini, a pilot assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, Hawaii, mans the controls of a Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane during a training flight offshore Oahu April 24, 2025. The Coast Guard utilizes the HC-130 to support missions such as search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Robertson)

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a man in the water offshore Hawaii Sunday.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report at 10:09 a.m. from Hawaii County Fire Department dispatchers regarding an unmanned yellow kayak 400-yards offshore from Keauhou, Hawaii.

Missing is Jared Willeford, a 42-year-old man who was seen launching the yellow kayak at approximately 8 a.m. Willeford’s family members and Hawaii County Fire Department crews confirmed that his truck and trailer are still located at the Keauhou boat ramp. Willeford was last seen wearing orange bib pants.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to aid in the search.

Involved in the search are:

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu
Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point
Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124)
Hawaii County Fire Department

Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.

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