HomeMy WebLinkAbout______202239 KPD NR Search suspended for New Jersey man who went missing in waters off Lumahai.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2022
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
(808) 241-1600
Search suspended for New Jersey man who went missing in waters off Lumahaʿi
LUMAHAʿI – The active search for 25-year-old Matthew Preziose of New Jersey, who went
missing Saturday in waters off Lumahaʿi, has been suspended pending any new information.
Rescuers were dispatched around 1 p.m. on Saturday, after Kauaʿi Police Department (KPD)
Dispatch received a report that two swimmers were in distress in waters off Lumaha‘i Beach, near
Lumaha‘i River. Bystanders reported that one swimmer made it safely to shore while the second
swimmer, Preziose, was last seen being swept out to sea.
Lifeguards with the North Roving Patrol Unit, Hanalei firefighters, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, East
Roving Patrol lifeguards on Jet Ski, and the on-duty Battalion Chief 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 (USCG) also joined the search,
utilizing their water and air assets.
The search resumed Sunday morning and was led by KPD, KFD and the USCG, with assistance
from lifeguards and firefighters on Jet Ski, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, assets from the state Department of
Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), along with air and water assets from the USCG.
KPD, KFD and USCG personnel continued to lead search efforts by land, sea and air on Monday,
which included scuba divers, Ocean Safety Bureau, Hawaiʿi DLNR and Rescue 3 aboard Air 1.
The active search was suspended on Tuesday afternoon.
“I am sincerely grateful to all of the agencies and individuals who assisted in this operation. It is
never easy conducting extensive search operations for missing swimmers during the winter season with
dangerous surf conditions and strong currents, especially on Kauaʿi’s North Shore. This was an incredible
effort, and we are appreciative of everyone who was involved,” said KPD’s Investigative Services Bureau
Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce. “But most importantly, our hearts go out to Matthew’s family and friends
during this difficult time. We also are humbled and grateful to a close friend of Matthew’s and a few of
Matthew’s family members who flew to the island to observe the operation efforts conducted by the
respective agencies’ search teams. We thank them for their kindness and thoughtful expressions of
gratitude and appreciation for the team effort in attempting to locate Matthew.”
Photos of search efforts courtesy of KPD.
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