Seattle man missing during Hawaiian paddle board excursion found



HONOLULU – The US Coast Guard rescued a Seattle man who became stranded in the ocean during a paddle board adventure near Kuhio Beach in Hawaii.

Niel Bode, 32, of Seattle was rescued around 6:45 a.m. Thursday about three miles south of Ewway Beach, officials said.

Coast guard watch members received notification from the Honolulu Fire Department about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, reporting that Bode had not returned after renting a stand-up paddle board near the Waikiki Wall. The paddle board company contacted command centers after Bode didn’t return by closing time at 5:15 p.m.

He left behind his wallet, keys and cell phone.

Bode was spotted in the water and hoisted up to a helicopter Thursday morning. Officers say he became lost after he dropped his paddle and could not make his way back to shore.

"The Coast Guard in conjunction with the Honolulu Fire Department did a great job with the total search effort in locating Mr. Bode," said Lt. Patrick Frain, a command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.