Swimmer Trapped by Waves Rescued From Kona Shoreline Cave

A man swimming along the Kona shoreline late Saturday afternoon during the ongoing high surf  found himself in trouble while trying to get back to dry land.

A fire department spokesman said rescuers responding to a 5:11 p.m. emergency call found the man trapped in a small cave with waves crashing around him.

The man’s wife said her husband was trying to get out of the water at the end of Ali`i Drive in Keauhou, at an area called “End of the World” shoreline, when he was pushed into the pocket in the rocks.

The swimmer got into trouble because of the high waves and because he was unfamiliar with the terrain, which included steep cliffs, said acting Capt. Wesley Mattos of the Keauhou Fire Station.

Fire Department personnel in a boat were able to rescue the man, who was taken to Kona Community Hospital in stable condition.

A high surf advisory has been in effect for most shores of the Big Island since Thursday.

The National Weather Service today said the strong south swell will keep surf above advisory levels through at least this evening and possibly through mid-week.