Kaipo Kaminanga Fell from Canoe: Search Intensifies for Missing Sand Point Teen
Feb. 26, 2026 — Sand Point, Alaska — Kaipo Kaminanga, a 15-year-old high school freshman and basketball player, went missing after Kaipo Kaminanga fell from canoe on Red Cove Lake during the evening of Monday, February 24. The incident occurred in frigid waters with temperatures in the upper 30s°F, prompting an ongoing search involving local authorities, volunteers and divers, as reported by Alaska’s News Source.
Kaipo Kaminanga was boating with two friends when the canoe tipped over. A fourth boy on shore dove into the water and helped rescue the other two occupants, but Kaipo Kaminanga fell from canoe and submerged without resurfacing. Help was called around 7:30 p.m., though a GoFundMe page organized by teacher Austin Roof references February 23.
Search Efforts
Searches for Kaipo Kaminanga continue amid challenges from cold weather and frozen equipment. Efforts include local residents, volunteers, Sand Point police, a diver from Trident Seafoods and an independent team. An Anchorage dive team was expected to arrive on Thursday, February 27, but Alaska State Troopers were notified without deploying their own dive unit, according to Alaska’s News Source.
The GoFundMe has raised over $50,350 toward a $60,000 goal to cover diving team travel, lodging and family needs related to the search following Kaipo Kaminanga fell from canoe.
Community Impact
Sand Point, a tight-knit community of about 500-600 in the Aleutian Chain, and its small school of roughly 75 students are reeling from the loss. Kaipo Kaminanga, noted as a basketball player at Sand Point High School, was described by teacher Austin Roof as well-loved.
“Kaipo was kind to everyone, no matter what group they were in. He was special to so many of us.”
Roof told Alaska’s News Source, highlighting widespread support for the family after Kaipo Kaminanga fell from canoe.
No recovery has been reported as of February 26, with searches persisting in the remote area a short drive from town.
