Searchers scour ocean for missing fisherman
By Carrie Ching
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Coast Guard will continue its search today for missing Kane'ohe fisherman Richard Shiroma, who disappeared while fishing alone near La'ie Wednesday.
Yesterday, the Coast Guard and Honolulu Fire Department were joined by Shiroma's friends and family members, who searched the coast from Kane'ohe to Ka'ena Point. Shiroma's boat, Bingo II, ran aground at Turtle Bay Wednesday night with the engine running and a marlin lashed to the side.
About 15 boats set out from Hale'iwa Boat Harbor and He'eia Kea pier early yesterday morning, said Bobby Alipio, a member of the 'Aiea Boat Club that Shiroma joined three years ago.
"The majority are going out from Hale'iwa now because the current sweeps northwest, so they're searching Hale'iwa side now," Alipio said. He spent all day Thursday and part of yesterday at sea in his 21-foot boat Kawena A searching for Shiroma.
"Everybody's kind of down. No one's feeling too good. We didn't come up with anything," he said.
Ernie Choy, owner of The Deli on He'eia Pier, said four boats carrying Shiroma's friends and neighbors left from He'eia pier before dawn yesterday.
The volunteer searchers set up a grid on their Global Positioning Systems and each boat covered a section, Alipio said.
Alipio said it is common for fishermen to go out alone, but it can be dangerous.
"You should have a harness or a vest and have a rope connecting to the vessel — that's a number-one rule of thumb," he said. "It does happen from time to time that people get pulled over. Usually your line breaks or something first, but it does happen."
Sandra Shiroma said her husband has been fishing for more than 40 years. His friends said he fished the Windward coast near La'ie almost weekly. "That was his back yard," Alipio said.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Brooksann Anderson said two cutters would continue to search through last night. As of Thursday, more than 600 square miles of ocean had been covered with no sign of Shiroma, she said.
Staff writer Curtis Lum contributed to this report. Reach Carrie Ching at 525-8054 or cching@honoluluadvertiser.com.
