Posted on: Saturday, June 23, 2001

Diver rescued near Waikiki

Advertiser Staff

A 33-year-old Japanese tourist who was separated from her diving group was rescued yesterday a mile off Waikiki by the Paradise Cruise ship Star of Honolulu.

Mika Hisada had been missing about 20 minutes before being found, the Coast Guard said

Hisada had been exploring the underwater Navy yard oiler known as the YO-257 shipwreck with her Green Dolphin Dive Shop charter group.

According to Kareem Engo, captain of Hisada's boat Force Play, the dive master noticed her missing when making a head count. Engo said search efforts were started immediately after the charter group's dive masters had all the tour divers safely on board. He also said Hisada was experienced, licensed and wearing an inflatable jacket.

"I'm fine now, but very exhausted," Hisada later said from a Waikiki hotel. "I just want to go to my hotel room and sleep."