Hawai‘i Island police investigate apparent drowning in Puna

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible drowning involving a 29-year-old Kea‘au woman that occurred early Sunday morning off the shoreline cliffs near Paradise Drive and Beach Road in Kea‘au.

At 1:59 a.m., Puna patrol officers, along with Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel, responded to the sea cliff area off Beach Road and Paradise Drive for a report of a woman who had slipped and fallen into the ocean. A 31-year-old Kea‘au man who was with the woman attempted to rescue her by throwing out a flotation device, however, was unsuccessful as the woman was pulled out by the ocean’s currents.

Hawai‘i Fire Department and Coast Guard personnel conducted an aerial search for the woman throughout the morning and at 8 a.m. discovered her unresponsive body approximately four miles downshore near Honolulu Landing in Pāhoa.

She was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 10:58 a.m.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to assist in this investigation.

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. Foul play is not suspected at this time. Her identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case, to call the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311, or Detective Paul Mangus of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2383 or email Paul.Mangus@hawaiicounty.gov.