A 17-year-old Hawaii student who became separated from his school’s paddling group and spent “nearly 12 hours treading water and clinging to a kayak” has been rescued thanks to the help of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Authorities released video showing the moment the student, identified by media as Kahiau Kawai, was pulled from the waters of the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning.
“Coast Guard Honolulu officials were notified by Honolulu Fire Department personnel at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday that a 17-year-old boy had been separated from his high school rowing team approximately one-half mile south of the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. The teenager reportedly capsized on a 20-foot surf ski and was not wearing a life jacket,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.
“Sector Honolulu wardens transmitted an urgent maritime information transmission, launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, and launched a 45-foot rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu to search for the missing teenager.” he added.
The Coast Guard lifts a sick man from a cruise ship nearly 170 miles off the California coast
Footage released by the U.S. Coast Guard shows the 17-year-old holding on to the kayak on Thursday morning just before he was rescued. (Coast Guard District 14)
The Coast Guard says the teen was spotted around 4 a.m. Thursday and “a good Samaritan, an off-duty Department of Ocean Safety lifeguard in Honolulu, rescued the boy from the water.”
“I think he was in complete shock because he showed no emotion. I actually cried because he was OK,” Noland Keaulana told KHON2. “He said I was worried about my mom because she probably missed me.”
COAST GUARD VIDEO SHOWS RESCUE MAN FROM HELICOPPER CREW FLOATING ON A REFRIGERATOR 30 MILES OFF THE COAST OF FLORIDA AFTER A STORM
A kayak floats after the student, identified in media reports as Kahiau Kawai, was pulled from the water. (Coast Guard District 14)
Officials say Kawai was treated for injuries and hypothermia from being in the water.
“The teenager spent almost 12 hours treading the water and clinging to the kayak and is in serious but stable condition,” the U.S. Pacific Coast Guard said, describing the operation as an “amazing rescue.”
According to KHON2, Kawai’s parents released a statement thanking “the state, city and county rescue teams and federal agencies who worked tirelessly throughout the night to search for our son, Kahiau.”
By the time he was rescued, the student had spent almost 12 hours in the waters off the coast of Hawaii. (Coast Guard District 14)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Kahiau, who saw rescue teams searching for him, remained strong, resilient and brave for 11.5 hours in the dark and is grateful to be back with family and friends,” the statement added. “Mahalo to the doctors and nurses caring for him. And finally, thank you to everyone who prayed and BELIEVED God for us and with us for his safe return.”
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.