Hawaii island firefighters are reminding the public to use more caution when entering the ocean after a spate of fatalities and missing divers this month.
In less than two weeks, four people have died or gone missing in the ocean, and firefighters conducted another search today for a possible missing diver, said West Hawaii Battalion Chief William Bergin.
About 8 a.m., firefighters responded to a report of an unattended dive buoy off Mauumae Beach in South Kohala. Firefighters searched for about four hours, using a helicopter and personal watercraft, and received assistance from police for a shoreline search.
The buoy was anchored with a weight and a three-pronged spear was nearby.
Firefighters also notified the Coast Guard, and eventually called off the search about noon because no divers had been reported missing, Bergin said.