Snorkel and spearfishing gear belonging to Amber Savant was recovered, but the 33-year-old Kona woman remained missing Wednesday as an extensive search of the waters off Kapoho approached its fifth day. ADVERTISING Snorkel and spearfishing gear belonging to Amber Savant
Snorkel and spearfishing gear belonging to Amber Savant was recovered, but the 33-year-old Kona woman remained missing Wednesday as an extensive search of the waters off Kapoho approached its fifth day.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa McKenzie said a snorkel, mask, two fins, two gloves, a spear gun, weight belt with a knife and 5 pounds of dive weights were found and identified as belonging to the missing woman.
McKenzie said her report didn’t state where they were recovered, but Leah Martinez, Savant’s roommate and friend, told the Tribune-Herald the gear was found near Kapoho Bay.
“We’re getting mixed signals,” Martinez said. “I think it was in the water but close to shore.”
Savant, the owner of Alter Ego salon in Kona, reportedly was pulled out to deeper water by a rip current while spearfishing about 150 yards off Champagne Pond, part of Kapoho Bay, on Sunday, according to the Hawaii Fire Department.
McKenzie said the search had covered 2,345 nautical square miles as of Wednesday morning.
Search teams, which include the Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Fire Department, will evaluate whether to continue scouring the ocean and coastline this morning, she said.
Martinez said Savant recently took up free diving and was in the water with her boyfriend, Jason Pila. She said the couple was staying in a rented house in Kapoho with friends to celebrate Pila’s birthday.
Martinez said Savant is adventurous and wasn’t surprised she would go in the water despite hazardous conditions. She also described her friend as outgoing, bubbly and “full of life.”
“When you are around her, you can’t even be shy,” Martinez said. “She is so nice, and you just feel her energy and her spirit. It makes you feel better about life.”
She said friends and family members are assisting with the search, adding many still are holding on to hope she will be found alive.
“We’re still all praying, hoping she made it to land somehow,” Martinez said. “We have hope still.”
“She would be the person to be a miracle,” she said.
Police Assistant Chief Marshall Kanehailua said police are investigating the incident as a missing person case.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
