After two days of intense searching, rescue crews yesterday found the body of a 16-year-old O'ahu boy who was reported missing Saturday by friends in waters off Ka'a'awa.

The boy identified by the Honolulu medical examiner's office as Cory Aiwohi was last seen about 3:30 p.m. Saturday in distress near the reef's edge and surf line about one-quarter mile offshore.

Honolulu Fire Capt. Robert Main said the boy was reported snorkeling with three friends off Kamehameha Highway and Puakenikeni Road between Ka'a'awa Beach Park and Swanzy Beach Park.

The swimmers were outside the reef and encountered strong currents, according to Main, who said Aiwohi was in distress, received some assistance from his friends but later became separated from them.

It was unclear whether Aiwohi was spearfishing or only swimming, but experienced area free-divers said that even with swim fins it can be dangerous outside the reef for anyone unfamiliar with Ka'a'awa's reef and currents.

"Sometimes it looks nice, but it can be real treacherous," said Cyrus Jones, a lifelong Ka'a'awa resident who assisted with the search both days.

Aiwohi, according to relatives, attended Kailua High School after transferring from Castle, where he played football. Some family members joined the search yesterday in the effort to help bring closure to the Aiwohi 'ohana.

A man who identified himself as Aiwohi's stepfather but declined to give his name swam out yesterday afternoon with a son and three cousins in hopes of finding Aiwohi, who the stepfather said lived with his father in Kailua.

Virg Estocado, a Kahalu'u resident who is close to some of Aiwohi's cousins, sympathized with the family's tragic loss. "He was just starting his life," she said. "It's so sad."

The Honolulu Fire Department found Aiwohi's body in the water yesterday at about 3 p.m.

EMS spokesman Bryan Cheplic said the boy was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m.

The search began on Saturday with the Fire Department, Coast Guard and citizens using two helicopters, several boats, a personal watercraft and divers shortly after Aiwohi's friends returned safely to shore and reported the boy missing at 4:10 p.m.

On Saturday, rescuers reported finding one swim fin and a mask. A Coast Guard helicopter continued searching through the night on Saturday, and fire rescuers resumed their effort yesterday morning.

Area divers said the shallow coastal waters inside the surf line are relatively safe, but that it can be extremely difficult to get back inside past the surf line and reef.

"Once you go over the reef, it's a whole 'nother game out there," said lifelong Ka'a'awa resident Jake Kamaka'ala. "It's kinda like the little leagues and big leagues. There's spots to come in, but you kinda have to be familiar with the place."

Kamaka'ala and other regular divers in the area said the current is powerful outside the reef, and that waves breaking on the reef's edge make re-entering nearshore waters dangerous except for a few places.

There is a channel near Ka'a'awa Beach Park, but divers said that depending on the tide and currents, swimming to the channel and even swimming in through the channel can be very challenging.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.