Kelowna man missing in Maui: Update

Coast Guard Search and Rescue based out of Honolulu are continuing their search for 20-year-old Bryce Essler.

The Kelowna man went missing late Thursday morning while snorkeling near the Aston Kaanapali resort in Maui.

Petty Officer Anthony Soto with Coast Guard Public Affairs tells Castanet news the search for Essler went through the night and is continuing throughout the day today.

"It is still a search and rescue effort," says Soto.

"We will expend all resources while there is a reasonable chance of survival based on currents and our search models."

Essler, a graduate of Kelowna Secondary School, was vacationing with his girlfriend in Hawaii.

According to the Coast Guard, Essler was snorkeling alone at the time he went missing.

His parents flew to Hawaii Thursday evening.

Claudia, a guest at the resort in Maui, posted this on a Coast Guard news website.

"It is 10 p.m. on Maui and the search continues into the night. Helicopters have been searching since noon shortly after Bryce went missing. All day there have been rescue boats, wave runners, helicopters and rescue personnel in the water in scuba and snorkel gear. The rescue workers have given it their all today.

There are “caution signs” warnings at the beach at the Kaanapali Resort that tell swimmers not to go in the water near the buoys and if they get caught and pulled out to swim either right or left and then swim toward shore. The buoys mark the area of the extreme current. There were also red flags up all day along this area to warn swimmers. It is not advisable to go in the water during a red flag warning.

It has been a sad day here for guests and locals and I pray for the best for Bryce and his family."

Soto says search and rescue are on the scene with an 87 foot patrol Cutter, an HC-130 search aircraft and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter.

Members of the Maui fire department are also assisting in the search.