A Hawaii teenager has been rescued after spending nearly 12 hours lost amid stormy seas. A volunteer lifeguard was key to his safe return, officials said, in a dramatic event captured on video by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Multiple crews began to search the area, including the U.S. Coast Guard. Searchers used aircraft and rescue boats to try to find the missing teen.
Meanwhile, off-duty lifeguard Noland Keaulana had been made aware of the missing kayaker. He sprang into action and took a boat out to start his own search at around 8:30 p.m., spending hours conducting a 100-mile search around the area.
Hours later, just after 4 a.m., a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft crew spotted Kawai in the water. He was treading water and clinging to his kayak, officials said. He had lost his paddle and was using the kayak as a kickboard to stay close to shore, officials said.