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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 26, 2009

Rescuers to continue search today for missing kayaker

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Russell Yoshida

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The Honolulu Fire Department will resume its search this morning for a 53-year-old kayaker who has been missing since Monday.

Russell Yoshida of Waialua failed to return from a fishing trip at his favorite fishing spot off Kaimanu Place in Waialua Monday evening. The Honolulu Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard began a search for him that evening and continued to look for any sign of him Tuesday and yesterday.

The Coast Guard last night suspended its search for Yoshida.

Yoshida was in a 10-foot yellow kayak and was not wearing a life jacket, the Coast Guard said. A water bailer and water bottles believed to be Yoshida's were found Tuesday in a pocket of debris close to where he launched, but no other items have been recovered.

Yesterday's search was hampered by strong currents and large waves, said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig. Search efforts were suspended when darkness fell, but will resume today.

"We're still hopeful," Seelig said. "We're treating it as a search and rescue."