A call from people at Kewalo Basin, west of the beach and across the street from Ward Warehouse shopping complex, reported one body in the water at 7 a.m., said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.
When the recovery team arrived, surfers immediately pointed to a second body, he said.
Kane said it was unclear what had happened but a small boat, 10-to 12-feet long, was recovered from the water during the recovery operation and placed on Ala Moana Beach.
Witnesses said there may have been a third body in the water, Kane said.
He said the two bodies recovered appeared to be men in their 40s who were in a boat rather than surfing because they wore short pants and T-shirts. Cause of the deaths was under investigation, he said.
Coast Guard and police teams joined the fire rescue team in searching to see whether there was another victim.
