Teen Kayaker Rescued After 12 Hours at Sea

Kahiau Kawai, a 17-year-old kayaker, was rescued after spending nearly 12 hours lost at sea off the coast of Honolulu when his kayak capsized during a high school paddling practice. Without a life jacket, he clung to his 20-foot surf ski, battling strong currents and managing to stay calm despite the challenging conditions. His absence was reported around 6:30 p.m., prompting a large-scale search operation that included the U.S. Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department, and other local rescue teams. He was eventually spotted by a Coast Guard airplane at 4 a.m. and rescued by an off-duty lifeguard who was emotionally relieved to find him safe. Kahiau was treated for hypothermia and dehydration but is expected to recover fully. The incident highlights the importance of safety measures such as wearing life jackets during water activities.