Missing Kaua‘i Man Identified as Matthew Packard‑Asai; Search Continues Thursday Morning

Kauai Police confirmed that the missing fisherman is 19-year-old Matthew Packard‑Asai of Kapa‘a as search crews continued into Thursday morning after two people were swept off Kahili Beach in Kīlauea. The incident has mobilized multiple agencies across the island and heightened concern about shoreline safety in the local fishing and beachgoing community.

“According to a preliminary report, first responders were notified that two fishermen were swept into the water shortly after 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday,” officials said. Rescuers were able to bring one fisherman safely back to shore. “Upon arriving on shore, the [rescued] fisherman sustained a laceration to the leg and was transferred to the American Medical Response for further medical care.” The second fisherman, later identified as Matthew Packard‑Asai, remained missing as crews searched through the night.

Personnel with KPD and Kauai Search and Rescue continued their search through the night using drones with heat signature technology, and a multi-agency effort remained active into Thursday. Kauai Police confirmed Packard‑Asai’s identity on Thursday but released no further details about his condition or the evolving search strategy.

For Kaua‘i residents, the episode underscores the risks that can arise during shore fishing and the importance of situational awareness around tides and surf. The event also tests local emergency and medical response systems on a rural island where access and resources can be stretched. American Medical Response received the rescued fisherman; local hospitals and emergency providers remain part of the response network while search operations continue.

A separate but related coastal emergency occurred on the East Coast, and should not be conflated with the Kaua‘i case. In Maine, emergency teams searching Bar Island near Bar Harbor recovered the body of a man on Thursday morning. Amanda Pollock, deputy chief of interpretation for Acadia National Park, said, “Federal, state and local first responders conducted an overnight search using K‑9 resources. Search operations resumed Thursday morning with assistance from the National Park Service, Maine Marine Patrol, Maine State Police and Maine Warden Service. The individual was located deceased late Thursday morning.” The National Park Service added that “The National Park Service is leading the investigation into the fatality, and no further information is available until 72 hours after notification to next‑of‑kin.”

Maine responders faced bitterly cold temperatures, equipment issues and the complicating geography of Bar Island, which is connected to the mainland at low tide by a 0.4-mile gravel land bridge and frequently leaves visitors stranded as tides rise. A cellphone from the missing person reportedly sent a pin from the island, aiding search efforts.

What comes next for Kaua‘i is continued search activity, updates from the Kauai Police Department, and community conversations about shoreline safety and investments in rescue capacity. For the Bar Island case, the NPS investigation will proceed after the 72-hour next-of-kin notification period. Residents and visitors should take caution around tide-dependent areas and follow official updates as agencies release more information.