The Maui Fire Department said Friday afternoon that it has suspended its search for the snorkeler who was reported missing in waters off South Maui on Tuesday.
The 62-year-old Wisconsin man was last seen rounding the point on the south end of Chang’s Beach off the Makena Surf Resort at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Family members notified the U.S. Coast Guard later that afternoon that the snorkeler was overdue, and military crews as well as Maui County first responders launched a search of land and sea.
On Friday, the Fire Department focused on reinforcing search areas from previous days, limiting efforts to surface and air searches due to the presence of a large shark that was spotted by the department’s Air One helicopter.
The Coast Guard expanded its search north and south of the previous efforts and also scanned the northwest and southeast shorelines of Kahoolawe.
The Fire Department suspended its search indefinitely as of 5:30 p.m. Friday and said it would resume if more information develops.
The snorkeler was wearing black shorts, no top, green and black fins and a full-face snorkel mask, according to the Coast Guard. He is described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing 195 to 215 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sector Honolulu command center at (808) 842-2600.
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