The Hawaii County Fire Department and the Coast Guard are searching for a missing 20-year-old free diver in waters off North Kohala, while the body of a missing fisherman was discovered in waters off Puuhonua Road in South Kona.
The missing diver has been identified as Malcolm Davis, according to the Coast Guard. Davis was last seen wearing white board shorts and black fins.
“He is reportedly a good swimmer,” Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Austin Shaw said of Davis. “
Both county helicopters, plus a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules plane and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter are searching the waters off Mahukona for Davis, with the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry en route.
Davis was reportedly spearfishing with seven friends when they became separated. After the friends were unable to find Davis, they drove inland to find cell service and called the Fire Department.
In a separate incident, the Fire Department was contacted late Tuesday night about a fisherman missing off the shoreline in the Napoopoo area. A shoreline search was launched, supported by a county Fire Rescue boat and Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
The lifeless body of the fisherman was discovered face down in the water.
The victim’s identity hasn’t been released.