First off, this has nothing to do with E's, so my advance apologies.

My brother-in-law was free diving just off shore in Kaneohe Bay, approx. 2 miles north of the Marine Base. He has been missing since last night, and after talking ot the Coast Guard, I understand there is a pretty large search on going as I type this.

What I am asking from my E-Brothers and/or Sisters that may be on the east side of Oahu if they can send me what ever info they can glean from whatever sorce they have - media, friends, radio/scanner, etc. I have a room full of family looking for info. Since we are in Ca., that is at a premium right now.

My gratitude in advance . . .

I've attached a couple of links to local media however unfortuately, they haven't posted any new information about the incident. They report a 38 year-old snorkeler that went missing off of Kaaawa last night.

Kaaawa is actually a small shoreline community about 10-12 miles north of Kaneohe, and is approximately 7-8 miles north of Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe) by sea.

If these reports are in regards to your brother-in-law, I'd like to say that on behalf of the Hawaii EOC'ers, our heartfelt wishes and prayers go out to you and your family, and we hope for his safe return.

Me Ke Aloha Pumehana.

http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=6920720

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/12/br/br1603278954.html

K-Dogg, thanks for the links. That's him. I have actually made a contact at the Coast Guards HQ in Honolulu that is coordinating the search, but he can't tell me much more than those articles did.

Bottom line, he has been missing since last night, the active search has been on going for over 12 hours now, and there has been no good news.

I now have his mother, 3 sisters (one is my wife) and one of his brothers here in my house. Very dark mood right now.

I appreciate the info - if by chance you hear anything new, I am staying logged on the EOC. Thanks again . . .

I'm afraid the early evening news didn't have anything new to report. The search is ongoing until nightfall and the Coast Guard as well as HFD had choppers in the air. Rescuers on jet skis and divers in the water have been combing the area from Kaaawa to the Chinaman's Hat area.

The news report did indicate that rescue crews did find a swim fin that was positively ID'ed to belong to the diver.

Again, our aloha and prayers are with you. Remain steadfast and strong for each other.

Me Ke Aloha Pumehana.

Thanks K-Dogg. We truly appreciate the info. Every little bit helps.

I'd like to say that on behalf of the Hawaii EOC'ers, our heartfelt wishes and prayers go out to you and your family, and we hope for his safe return.


I would like to second that and will keep my ears open as well -- the best to you and your family.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/12/br/br1603278954.html

Hope you can open this link and I hope this helps. You and your family are in our prayers. Aloha, Nalu

Just a quick update: I got a call from the Coast Guard tonight letting me know they are calling off their part of the search. They have searched something like 280 square miles of ocean, but no luck. The Petty Officer I spoke with sounded genuinely sorry they didn't find him.

With the hurricane almost in the neighborhood, it looks like this is strictly a recovery operation now, if and/or when he surfaces and gets beached.

My thanks to all who offered prayers and good thoughts.

Just a quick update: I got a call from the Coast Guard tonight letting me know they are calling off their part of the search. They have searched something like 280 square miles of ocean, but no luck. The Petty Officer I spoke with sounded genuinely sorry they didn't find him.

With the hurricane almost in the neighborhood, it looks like this is strictly a recovery operation now, if and/or when he surfaces and gets beached.

My thanks to all who offered prayers and good thoughts.

So sorry Wally. No words properly express the sympathy I have for you and your family. This is so sad. -g

Never give up... let's keep the prayers coming.

Heartfelt prayers go out to you and your family Wally

Wally,

What a nightmare. I wish you and your family lots of strength and love getting through this. So very sorry.

Just a quick update: I got a call from the Coast Guard tonight letting me know they are calling off their part of the search. They have searched something like 280 square miles of ocean, but no luck. The Petty Officer I spoke with sounded genuinely sorry they didn't find him.

With the hurricane almost in the neighborhood, it looks like this is strictly a recovery operation now, if and/or when he surfaces and gets beached.

My thanks to all who offered prayers and good thoughts.

My thoughts are with you.

And the Coast Guard is the best at what they do. They will find him.

Wally - I wish there was more that we could do/say to ease the pain for you and the family. It is such a sad event.

Just a quick thank you to you all. I have passed the thoughts and prayers of people we don't know on to my wife and family, and it does help.

And now for the bad news - they found his body this morning. I don't have any details yet, but for those of you in Hawaii, if you see any clips providing details, I would appreciate a link. It is closure in a way - at least we know and have a body for a funeral service. That is important to her family, and especially his mother.

Once again, our appreciation to all.

:-(

I'm so sorry for you and your family Wally.

I am sorry to hear this turned out the way it did.

Again my thoughts are with you.

Wally,

Sincere regrets to you and your family. There is really no consolation in times like this, but I would like to pass on a true story.

Several years ago I used to dive almost every day or night. I had a bad habit of diving alone many times, which as an instructor I knew was one of the dumbest things you can do. While diving in heavy kelp off of Santa Rosa Island I managed to get myself completely tangled in heavy kelp.

I was fairly deep and already low on air. I grabbed my knife to cut myself free and was so hopelessly tangled that I dropped it and could only watch the glint from it as it descended out of sight. I did what I always tell my students, relax, clear your mind, and concentrate on your breathing.

I realized that I probably would not get out of the mess I was in, and did not have many minutes left. While hanging there, there was no panic. I actually became very peaceful and thought to myself if this was my fate I couldn't have picked a better way to go.

I began the slow process of pinching and breaking the kelp stalks that were holding me and waiting for that last breath of air from my regulator. I am still amazed that somehow I was able to free myself and make a safe ascent that day. To me it was a miracle.

I can assure you there was no pain, no fear, no regret (other than those who I would miss). I was at peace... total peace. I am sure your family member entered that very same place when he realized it was to be his last dive. He was a brave, adventurous soul in this life, and I am sure that will continue in his next life.

God Bless...

Just a quick thank you to you all. I have passed the thoughts and prayers of people we don't know on to my wife and family, and it does help.

And now for the bad news - they found his body this morning. I don't have any details yet, but for those of you in Hawaii, if you see any clips providing details, I would appreciate a link. It is closure in a way - at least we know and have a body for a funeral service. That is important to her family, and especially his mother.

Once again, our appreciation to all.

Here's a link to the Honolulu Advertiser online: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/14/br/br3758629104.html

On behalf of all of the Hawaii EOC'ers we truly grieve with your family and wish to offer our condolences. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

For those of us who live near the ocean and revel in it's beauty and splendor, we innately understand that she can also be unforgiving. However for myself, being an open-water swimmer and surfer, I also know that without the ocean, I am nothing.

I know that it is of little consolation and that he may have left much too early, however I hope there is comfort in knowing that he passed on while doing something that he was truly passionate about.

Hiki ke Akua nana pono `ia `oukou (May Akua protect you and keep you well). Me ke aloha pumehana `oukou.