Authorities identify Keaʻau man in fatal lower Puna drowning

Hawai’i police have identified a 65-year-old who died Friday in an apparent drowning while gathering opihi along the lower Puna coastline as Arthur Michael Pacleb of Keaʻau.

Pacleb was pronounced dead after being pulled from the ocean on the morning of Feb. 27, according to the Hawaiʻi Police Department.

At 8:14 a.m. on Friday, Puna patrol officers and personnel from the Hawaiʻi Fire Department responded to a report of a man who had fallen into the ocean and was calling for help on the makai side of Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road, about one-third of a mile on the Hilo-side of Opihikao Road.

Witnesses told authorities they heard a man shouting from the water and alerted emergency responders. Rescue crews located Pacleb being carried by strong currents, and brought him to shore where they began CPR.

Pacleb was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:28 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled as part of the investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities said no foul play is suspected.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Puna Patrol Officer Johnathen Figueroa at 808-935-3311 or by email at Johnathen.figueroa@hawaiipolice.gov.