Posted on: Saturday, November 10, 2001

Search resumes this morning for missing woman

Advertiser Staff

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

Rachel Cardoza, 20, of Massachusetts, was playing along the shoreline shortly before 1 p.m. at a beach off Ke Iki Road near Sunset Beach. She was hit by a big wave and swept out to sea.

Fire rescue crews and the Coast Guard searched Thursday afternoon. Yesterday, firefighters from the Sunset Beach station walked the beach at first light and were later joined by fire and Coast Guard helicopters and a rescue crew.

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

Soo said most of the search yesterday was conducted by air because of rough water conditions. The waves were estimated at 15 to 20 feet, but were expected to subside today.

A high-surf advisory was in effect yesterday for all northwest shores. Surf heights were estimated at 10 to 15 feet, with occasional sets to 20 feet.