Honolulu Fire Department Recovered Missing Swimmer's Body

Authorities found a male swimmer in his 40s off the coast of Makaha following an overnight search.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Accidents

Honolulu Fire Department Recovered Missing Swimmer's Body

The Honolulu Fire Department recovered the body of a man in his 40s after he went missing near Makaha. The rescue operation successfully located the swimmer off the coast Saturday morning.

Why it matters

The incident required a multi-agency response to locate and recover the victim after reports of a distressed swimmer surfaced early Saturday. The search effort involved coordinated shoreline and aerial assets to reach the swimmer.

The recovery effort concluded at 7 a.m. Saturday when Air 1 found the body. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and the Honolulu Police Department have since taken custody of the remains.

The players

Honolulu Fire Department

This municipal agency provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the City and County of Honolulu.

Honolulu Police Department

This law enforcement agency is responsible for policing throughout the City and County of Honolulu.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services

This department operates the emergency ambulance service for residents and visitors throughout Honolulu.

The details

Firefighters initially performed a shoreline search before deploying a rescue boat and an Air 1 helicopter to scan the area near Mauna Lahilai Beach Park. The search process was temporarily suspended at 3 a.m. before continuing until the body was recovered.

The Honolulu Fire Department received the distress report after midnight Saturday.
Search efforts were suspended at 3 a.m. Saturday.
Air 1 recovered the body at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Legal Context

This recovery effort follows established inter-agency protocols used during maritime search operations in Hawaii. These procedures dictate how the fire department, police, and medical services coordinate to manage fatalities in local waters.

Local residents and beachgoers in the Makaha area should remain aware of potential surf hazards and follow all posted safety signage. No additional security measures or road closures were reported as a result of this incident.

The takeaway

Ocean conditions can change rapidly and present significant risks to swimmers even in familiar areas. Staying informed about local surf reports is an essential practice for those entering the water.