KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County firefighters have joined with Coast Guard crews in the search for a missing boater in ocean waters off Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

Firefighters from the Kailua Station were sent out at 6:20 p.m. yesterday to look for the overdue boater. They reported finding a 21-foot Triumph power boat going in tight circles under its own power with no one aboard.
The boat was found about two miles off shore from an area known as “Pine Trees.”
The firefighters put ropes in the water in hopes the boat’s propellers would get tangled causing the motors to stall.
After the ropes failed, the firefighters resorted to using a 10-by-20-foot tarp and succeeded in causing the engines to stall.
The firefighters found no one aboard the boat and continued to search the area until about 10:30 last night.
The search by the Hawaii County officials and Coast Guard crews resumed at daybreak this morning.
An  HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Barbers Point joined in the search about 10 p.m. Thursday. It began its search at Kealakekua Bay to two nautical miles offshore from the missing man's last known position off the Kailua-Kona coastline.
The missing boater was described as an athletic, 250-pound, 40-year-old man, wearing a black and gray rash guard and black shorts. He was reported to be traveling between Honokohau to Kealakekua Bay to meet friends.
Hawaii County police officers learned the man had rented the boat from Kona Boat Rental at Honokohau. Fishing gear was found aboard the vessel.
The Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, a 110-foot patrol boat home-ported in Hilo, joined the search about 7 a.m. today. Both Coast Guard crews plan to search through Friday morning.
On-scene weather conditions are reported to be calm, with good visibility.
Anyone with information should call Hawaii County authorities, or the Coast Guard in Honolulu at 808-842-2600 or via VHF marine band radio channel 16.