Three rescued Saturday off Onekahakaha

Six units, including a county helicopter, rescue boat and jet ski were involved in the rescue of two swimmers and a kayaker late Saturday afternoon in waters off Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo.

According to a written Hawaii Fire Department statement, four individuals, three swimmers and a kayaker were reportedly in distress near the popular Keaukaha beach. The alarm was sounded at 4:17 p.m. with the first unit arriving on-scene eight minutes later.

A strong ebb tide was pulling the four out to sea, according to the statement. The lifeguard rescued one swimmer using a rescue board, another swimmer made it ashore on his own, and a rescue swimmer was deployed by the helicopter to rescue the remaining swimmer and the kayaker, assisted by the jet ski unit.

No one was injured.