A desperate search is underway for a North Carolina grandfather who disappeared after a snorkeling trip in the ocean close to Hawaii. 

John Weems, 75, was reported missing early Friday evening after a concerned family member said he hadn't returned from exploring the shoreline beside 100 Nohea Kai Drive in Kaanapali, a coastal area lined with resorts and golf courses.

He last texted a relative around 1.30pm that afternoon to say he was heading out to go snorkeling, according to the Maui Police Department (MPD).

Officials said he was last seen in the vicinity of Black Rock at Kaanapali Beach, according to KHON2 News. 

Less than two hours later, at around 3pm, a hotel guest reported to staff that they believed they had seen a man struggling in the ocean.

Maui police launched an extensive search on Friday alongside the island's fire department (MFD), the US Coast Guard, Air One, drones and a Coast Guard helicopter, with efforts continuing until sunset that evening. 

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew vessel was also deployed assist in the mission. 

Those involved included Coast Guard members from Honolulu, Maui and Air Station Barbers Point, along with the Maui Ocean Safety Bureau, according to KHON2.

On Saturday morning, the search resumed with fire department jet skis and Air One personnel, though efforts have so far found no trace of Weems. 

He is described as a Caucasian man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing roughly 170 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. It is unknown what he was last wearing. 

There have been no updates so far in the search, though some people claiming to be nearby have commented on what they have seen under the police department’s Facebook post.

'I heard the helicopter back first light this morning and it was not out there for long (longer last evening,' one comment read.

Another said: 'Very rough water yesterday with red flags everywhere. Hope they find him.' 

Anyone with information on Weems' whereabouts is asked to contact the MPD’s non-emergency number at 808-244-6400. In case of an emergency, dial 911 and refer to MPD report number 26-012349. 

The grandfather’s disappearance comes just weeks after a 66-year-old woman died while snorkeling at one of the island’s most iconic water sports spots. 

Jian-Ping Sun of Campbell, California, was discovered unconscious in Hanauma Bay at around 9.30am on April 26, according to SFGate.

Her body had drifted about 10 feet from shore before lifeguards noticed her, according to NBC Bay Area. They attempted life-saving measures before she was rushed to the hospital.

Medical staff later pronounced her dead, though it has not yet been determined how Sun became unresponsive while snorkeling in the bay. Investigators told NBC that they do not believe foul play was involved.

Last year, personal injury attorney Jeffrey Reiff exclusively told the Daily Mail that the nation’s most popular tourist destinations can harbor dangers that often lead to sudden tragedy and loss of life.

‘Even the most innocent place can be the most dangerous,’ he explained. ‘The reality is there's glitches when we travel - or worse. Things don't always go as planned and catastrophic accidents happen,' he explained.

His Philadelphia law firm has represented countless clients and families impacted by life-changing incidents while on vacation, often resulting in serious injuries, brain damage and, in some cases, fatalities. 

And, he said, even money can't protect you. 

‘Some of the worst cases I've seen have happened in the most luxe resorts - assaults, food poisoning, a catastrophic failure of equipment that leads to an awful situation,' Reiff said.