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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 12, 2010

Search for missing surfer called off

Advertiser Staff

The search by air, sea and land for the missing surfer has been called off as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday after firefighters could not spot any sign of him, an official said.

Meanwhile, the shark-warning signs at Laniakea Beach, Papailoa Beach and Chuns Reef were removed at 11:30 a.m. today after Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services personnel did not spot any sharks in the area.
Firefighters resumed the search this morning at 8 a.m.after a resident found a tattered pair of black shorts on Papailoa Beach and called police, who identified the shorts as belonging to the missing surfer. The missing surfer was described as an Asian male in his mid-thirties and was reported to be wearing black shorts.
"We didn't find anything," said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig. "We searched by air, water and the beach."
The family has been notified, Seelig said. Until new information comes to light, firefighters will not resume their search.
"We feel we've done everything we can," Seelig said. "There was no sign of the surfer. We don't feel there's anything more that can be done for the search."
Following the discovery of the shorts, HFD and Ocean Safety lifeguards conducted shoreline patrols and aerial surveillance to look for signs of the missing surfer.
Shark-warning signs were posted yesterday after three tiger sharks were spotted by the Honolulu Fire Department's Air-1 helicopter pilot during a search for a missing surfer off of Papailoa Beach.
The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i is helping the swimmer's wife of six years and his family. Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i officials described the swimmer as a 35-year-old man from Beijing who was living in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Other family members will arrive from Beijing on Saturday, VASH officials said.
For information regarding ocean conditions, advisories and warnings, hear a pre-recorded report at 922-3888, ext. 51 or visit www.hawaiibeachsafety.org.