Posted on: Monday, June 28, 2004
Hope fades of finding missing Kaua'i angler
By John Windrow and Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writers
The search for a fisherman missing off O'ahu, the second to be lost at sea in less than two weeks, will continue today.
Roy Takatsuki, 57, of Kaua'i was reported missing at sea Friday evening while he was participating in a North Shore fishing tournament. His empty boat, the Beverley, was found Saturday about 10 miles northeast of Kaua'i.
At Hale'iwa Boat Harbor yesterday, Beverley Pang, of Kaua'i, Takatsuki's girlfriend for 14 years, sat under a tarp with some of his friends, waiting for word.
"He was the most giving, unselfish person that existed. I used to introduce him like this: 'This is the man who loves to spoil me.' He did. It just made him happy.
"He loves adventure," she said. "He would try anything once. If he liked it, he would do it again."
Takatsuki, a general contractor, has a son Abe, 27, of San Antonio. Abe is headed to Kaua'i with his wife and two children.
Roy was born and raised on Kaua'i and graduated from Kapa'a High School.
Pang expressed gratitude to the Coast Guard and Takatsuki's friends, who have helped in the search.
"They have been wonderful. The Coast Guard has been wonderful and very patient with me. They have been really good. And so have his fishing friends."
Coast Guard Lt. j.g. John Titchen said yesterday afternoon that there were no new developments in the search. He said the Coast Guard would continue searching through the night and throughout today using an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a C-130 Hercules aircraft, and a patrol boat.
Titchen said that several groups of Takatsuki's friends were out in private boats looking for him.
The Coast Guard has searched almost 6,000 square miles, focusing around the state fishing buoys in the Kaua'i channel. The 18-foot, white Boston Whaler was found with all the necessary safety gear stowed away and all the fishing lines in the water.
Titchen said the Coast Guard does not suspect foul play. Takatsuki's family told searchers that he has a heart condition.
At Hale'iwa boat harbor yesterday afternoon, Gabriel Gonsalves was helping to take down the signs for the Hanapa'a Jackpot fishing tournament.
"A lot of boats are out there now," Gonsalves said, "nearly every one in the harbor. Some are fishing, but they are looking while they are fishing. I've known Roy many years — mostly through fishing tournaments. Everybody liked Roy. He got along with everybody. He was here every year for this tournament.
"I hope they find him, but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Wesley Freitas of Hale'iwa, Takatsuki's hanai nephew, said, "We've been good friends about eight years now. He treats me like a nephew. ... He's just a wonderful man.
"I usually go out with him. This year I couldn't get the vacation time, so he went alone. Fishing alone is dangerous, but some of the old fishermen, like Uncle Roy, they get set in their ways.
"About eight boats are searching now out of this harbor, at least another eight over off Wai'anae Coast," Freitas said. "Hopefully, we'll find him.
"We're hoping for a miracle right now."
Takatsuki is the second fisherman to go missing this month.
On Wednesday, a memorial service was held for Richard Yoshio Shiroma, 60, who was lost at sea the week before. Shiroma's empty boat ran aground at Turtle Bay on June 16 with its motor running and the remains of a large marlin lashed to the side. Shiroma disappeared while fishing alone near La'ie.
"There is always a danger when you fish alone," Coast Guard officer Titchen said.
Staff writer Peter Boylan contributed to this report. Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
