KEAUHOU, Hawaii – High surf is being blamed for two water rescues in the Kahaluu-Keauhou area of Kona on Friday.

At about 9:20 a.m., a swimmer in distress offshore of the Outrigger Kanaloa was assisted by another citizen who had been swimming with the victim “through shore break out to open water”.

The victim, estimated to be about 60 years old, and the citizen were assisted by a paddle boarder off shore. The fire department describes in a dispatch:

Upon reaching the paddle board CPR was initiated until Rescue Boat 7 arrived. Victim and swimmers were extricated into Rescue Boat 7 with continued CPR while being transported to Keauhou Pier where the victim was extricated from the rescue boat into Medic 12 for continued treatment and transport to Kona Community Hospital.Hawaii County Fire Dept.

Later that day, a 61 year old man was reported in distress off Kahaluu Beach Park at around 2:45 p.m.

Water Safety Personnel pulled the man from the water and gave him CPR as he was transported to Kona Community Hospital.

The National Weather Service reports a High Surf Advisory is in effect for much of the Big Island (with the exception of the Kohala Coast) until Sunday morning. Surf may grow to be 4 to 8 feet high. Strong longshore and rip currents will continue to make swimming difficult and dangerous.