Keauhou Ocean Death Victim Identified

The Google Earth image shows the unpaved road leading to the “End of the World” shoreline past Ali`i Drive in Keauhou.

The Hawai’i Police Department has identified the body of a man who died Monday after jumping off a cliff into waters in the Lekeleke Bay area of Kailua-Kona.

Authorities say the victim was 36-year-old William H. Holman of Auburn, Wash.

Police responded to an 11:38 a.m. call, where they learned that Holman jumped into the ocean at Lekeleke Bay, also known as “End of the World.” The man reportedly cried out for help before disappearing into the water.

The Hawai’i County Fire Department said Monday that Holman attempted to climb up the rocks to safety, but the waves swept him off twice before he disappeared.

Two commercial vessels assisted in the initial search of the man, including HFD rescue and Fire personnel, and scuba and surface divers.

Just after 4 p.m., onshore personnel spotted Holman’s shoe floating in the search area. Rescue divers searched the nearby area and located the victim at the bottom of the ocean.

Assistant Fire Chief Ty Medeiros told Big Island Now Monday that Holman was found about 20 yards from where he had initially entered the water.

A coroner’s inquest has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, and the case has been classified as a coroner’s inquest.