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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:40 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2002

One dead, one rescued off Hawai'i Kai

A woman rescued at sea near Hanauma Bay last night is placed in an ambulance by emergency and fire workers.
Honolulu Fire Department

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 30-year-old woman lost at sea for more than seven hours was rescued late last night near Hanauma Bay after the body of a man believed to be her companion was found earlier.

The woman, whom police identified as Kyung Min Lee, today remained in guarded condition at The Queen’s Medical Center, where she was treated for hypothermia.

Lee had been aboard a Jet Ski with a Salt Lake man earlier yesterday. The body of the man was found floating face down about 7:30 p.m. a mile off of Paiko peninsula.

The fire department suspended its search for the woman at 8:10 last night, but was called back to the area about 11:05 after fishermen said they heard a whistle off Spitting Cave near Hanauma Bay. Fire spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said some life vests come with whistles.

Soo said rescue crews also heard the whistles, and the woman was spotted by a Coast Guard helicopter at 11:40 p.m. about 20 yards offshore. The woman was lifted onto the helicopter and taken to the Maunalua Bay parking lot, where she was evaluated by an ambulance crew.

Sang Park, cousin of victim Sun Ho Ham, gestures at the Jet Ski Ham and a woman were using before they disappeared.

Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

The man and woman were reported missing about 5 p.m. yesterday after their Jet Ski was found about 2 miles off Maunalua Bay. The Jet Ski was recovered by a tour operator, and car keys, a cellular phone, life jacket and other personal items were found onboard the craft.

An extensive air and sea search was launched by Honolulu Fire and Coast Guard rescue crews about 5:45 p.m. Just as night fell, the Coast Guard found the man’s body.

About 7:45 p.m., the body was brought to the Maunalua Bay boat ramp where the man’s wife, young son, mother and two other family members were waiting. The victim was identified as Sun Ho Ham, 31, of Salt Lake, according to his cousin, Sang Park. Police said the victim was a self-employed tour guide.

The man and woman were first seen on the Jet Ski about 4 p.m. yesterday in Koko Marina. Nate Hatchell, an employee with Sea Breeze Parasailing, said the two were wearing life vests.