Search for father-son hikers off Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail to resume Wednesday

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After nearly eight hours, the search for a father and son from Korea believed to have been swept into the ocean off Hanauma Bay Tuesday morning, was halted because of inclement weather.

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The Coast Guard reported the 49-year-old man and his 16-year-old son, who were visiting the island and staying in Waikiki, left their hotel at around 7 a.m. to hike Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail.

“Their plan was to leave early this morning to begin a hike. No plans of any kind of swimming,” Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Keopele Gowan said. “We are still discovering what may have happened.”

Just before 9 a.m., two other hikers found the father’s backpack near an area of the hike known as “Rock Bridge” and called authorities. The Coast Guard added that Honolulu fire personnel found the man’s car near the trailhead entrance.

Honolulu police described the man as about 6 feet tall and 187 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The teen is described as about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 154 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Rock Bridge is a notoriously dangerous attraction where others have been swept into the ocean in the past.

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In 2020, a 56-year-old woman died after falling into to the water there.

“There is a drop off, but you are near the water, and it can be pretty treacherous if you’re not aware of your surroundings,” Gowan explained.

A multiagency search along the East Oahu coastline had crews searching by land, sea and air until 5:30 p.m. when inclement weather suspended operations.

The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted in what officials said were choppy ocean conditions.

“There is a lingering south swell, so there’s quite a bit of surge that comes up and down those cliffs that creates a lot of turbulence,” said David Loui, Honolulu Ocean Safety Division.

Loui described the area as “a very steep cliff with drops into very deep ocean water, so it makes it very choppy and rough for this side of the island, for sure.”

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Fire officials reported the search will resume Wednesday at first light.

The Korean Consulate is also handling the family’s case.