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Hawaii Teen Lost at Sea: Search Ends in Tragedy
2 Feb
Summary
- A 19-year-old's three-day search ended with discovery of human remains.
- He was swept out to sea while fishing with a friend near Kahili Beach.
- Multiple agencies aided the extensive search across land, air, and sea.
A heartbreaking end has come to the extensive search for Matthew Packard-Asai, a 19-year-old who vanished near Kahili Beach on Kauai. On February 1, 2026, remains believed to be Packard-Asai's were discovered in the ocean, tragically concluding a three-day search effort. He was last seen on January 28, swept out to sea while fishing with a friend. The friend was successfully rescued with only a leg injury.
The disappearance prompted a significant multi-agency response. The US Coast Guard, Kauai Police and Fire Departments, Kauai Search and Rescue, the American Red Cross, and other volunteer organizations participated in the search. Efforts to locate Packard-Asai spanned land, air, and sea. Authorities have stated that positive identification of the remains is pending DNA confirmation and have requested privacy for the family during this difficult period.
