Posted at 5:58 p.m., Friday, November 9, 2001

Search for woman lost in surf resumes tomorrow

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Fire rescue crews will resume their search tomorrow for a woman who was swept out to sea yesterday afternoon on O'ahu's North Shore.

Rachel Cardoza, 20, of Massachusetts was hit by a big wave and sucked out to sea shortly before 1 p.m. at a beach off of Ke Iki Road. Cardoza was playing along the shoreline with her 21-year-old boyfriend when the wave hit.

Fire rescue crews and the Coast Guard searched yesterday afternoon with no signs of Cardoza.

Today, firefighters from the Sunset Beach station walked the beach at first light and were later joined by the fire helicopter and a rescue crew. A Coast Guard helicopter also joined the search, with no sign of Cardoza.

Fire Capt. Richard Soo said the search was called off at about 5 p.m. He said the search would resume tomorrow morning and continue through the weekend.

Soo said most of the search yesterday was conducted by air because rough conditions made it difficult for divers to enter the water. The waves were estimated at 15 to 20 feet, but are expected to subside tomorrow.