HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR_2022-03-06MultipleagenciessearchformissingmaninwatersoffLumahai.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 6, 2022
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT
STEVEN R. GOBLE, CHIEF
(808) 241-4980
Multiple agencies search for missing man in waters off Lumaha‘i
LUMAHA‘I – Multiple agencies resumed search operations Sunday for a 25-year-old man of New
Jersey who was swept out to sea Saturday in waters off Lumaha‘i on the North Shore.
The Kaua‘i Police Department has identified the man as Matthew Preziose.
According to a preliminary report, rescuers were dispatched shortly after 1 p.m., when two
swimmers were in distress in waters off Lumaha‘i Beach, near Lumaha‘i River.
Lifeguards with the North Roving Patrol Unit were first on scene, where bystanders reported
that one swimmer made it safely to shore while the second swimmer, Preziose, was last seen being
swept out to sea.
Hanalei firefighters, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, East Roving Patrol lifeguards on Jet Ski, and the on-
duty Battalion Chief also responded to the scene and began an extensive search for the missing man –
focusing from the reefs off Hā‘ena point to Hanalei Bay, with an emphasis on the Lumaha‘i Beach area.
Officials from the U.S. Coast Guard also joined the search, utilizing their water and air assets.
Due to darkness, firefighters and lifeguards suspended their search Saturday evening at
approximately 6 p.m. U.S. Coast Guard personnel continued to search through the night, with no sign of
the missing swimmer.
The search was resumed Sunday morning with lifeguards and firefighters on Jet Ski, Rescue 3
aboard Air 1, Jet Ski assets from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), along with
air and water assets from the U.S. Coast Guard. Shoreline searches are also being conducted Sunday by
the Kaua‘i Police Department and DLNR.
Updates on the search will be given as information becomes available.
Preziose is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and was last seen wearing blue swim shorts. Anyone with
information about the missing swimmer is urged to call KPD Dispatch at 241-1711.
Above photos: Search operation on Saturday, March 5.
Above photo: Search operation resumed Sunday, March 6.
Photo courtesy of Kaua‘i Police Department: Missing swimmer, Matthew Preziose, age 25 of New
Jersey
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