WAIALUA — Friends who kept a vigil for missing fisherman Russell Yoshida yesterday were hopeful that his ocean knowledge and healthy condition would save his life.

Yoshida, 53, of Waialua, failed to return from a fishing trip at his favorite location off Kaimanu Place in Waialua on Monday evening. He was in a yellow kayak and was wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and shorts.

A search by the Honolulu Fire Department and Coast Guard has turned up Yoshida's paddle and fishing pole. A water bailer and water bottles believed to be his were found in a pocket of debris close to where he launched, said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

No other belongings or the kayak were found by the time the search was called off at dark, Seelig said, adding that the search will resume this morning, providing the expected large swells don't impede that.

Some 25 firefighters and Coast Guard personnel in helicopters, a 110-foot search boat and a C-130 airplane were involved in a search area the size of O'ahu from Hale'iwa to Mokule'ia.

"We'll keep searching for as long as the possibility of survival exists," said Amy Cocanour, a Coast Guard commander.

In Waialua, about two dozen friends had been on the beach since early morning at the location where Yoshida launched his 10-foot kayak.

They were surprised that their friend could be missing because, they said, he was a good ocean man who knew his limits and practiced safe boating.

"Being in the water for him was like walking in his backyard," said Shannon Shima, a longtime friend of Yoshida and fellow Jehovah's Witness. His knowledge of the ocean, especially at Waialua, where he fished regularly, was extensive, Shima said.

Several on the beach were young men whom Yoshida had taught to fish, including Joshua Dela Cruz, from Maui. Dela Cruz had come to O'ahu on other business but said he felt he needed to be at the beach yesterday.

Dela Cruz said the man who taught him to fish and showed him his fishing spots also taught ocean safety. Yoshida was physically fit and energetic, but without the kayak it would be difficult to survive, he said.

"If he's still in the kayak, he's a waterman, he knows what to do," Dela Cruz said. "If anybody, he could survive."

Family and friends joined the search, scouring the shores along with the search and rescue teams, looking for any sign of their loved one, said Frances Hoapili, who has known Yoshida for about 30 years.

Hoapili and others said Yoshida is very well liked and goes out of his way to help others.

He's a single father, who works for the city and lives with his mother, who he helps out, Hoapili said. He would never take a chance knowing his mother depends on him, she said.

"He limits himself," Hoapili said. "He doesn't take chances. He's not that kind of person."

But he is humble, reliable, wonderful and generous with his time and spent many hours helping with the Jehovah's Witness convention that is in town, said other friends.

He was fishing Monday evening to provide fish for a party for other church members, said Jasmine Allen.

"They're doing a pig roast tonight and he was looking for fresh fish to bring to them," Allen said. "They never had Hawaiian fresh fish and he was out here trying to get something nice for the party so they could enjoy it."