Witnesses: Whale flips kayak off Kailua-Kona

Witnesses at the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona in Kailua-Kona said a humpback whale flipped over a kayak, injuring the 60-year-old kayaker Tuesday, according to Big Island fire officials.

Fire crews responded to an area in the ocean about a quarter-mile from the shore at around 2:16 p.m.

The kayaker was found about 100 yards from the shoreline signaling for help with a paddle.

A tour boat helped the man aboard the vessel.  Fire officials say the man was transferred to a private vessel and returned to shore.

The man had a superficial scratch on his arm from the sharp edges of the broken zodiac and was not in need of medical assistance.