On a Wednesday evening, off-duty Honolulu lifeguard Noland Keaulana was fixing his truck when he heard about a 17-year-old missing off Honolulu’s coast. When he learned it was his friend’s son, Kahiau Kawai, he couldn’t wait any longer and joined the search. Kahiau had been drifting for hours after his kayak capsized, battling strong currents and darkness. Despite his fears, he stayed calm, holding onto his kayak.
Kahiau Kawai, who is wearing the long sleeve shirt, with his Kamehameha Schools kayaking teammates at the conference championships after surviving 11 hours stranded in the ocean. Kamehameha Schools
After an exhausting eight-hour search, the U.S. Coast Guard spotted Kahiau, guiding Keaulana to the teenager’s location. Keaulana found him clinging to his kayak, surviving nearly 12 hours alone at sea. This intense night turned into the "best morning" as Kahiau reunited with his family. Hospitalized briefly for injuries, Kahiau quickly recovered, joining his kayaking team days later. His incredible resilience inspired many, with plans underway to improve safety for future athletes.
