Hawai‘i Island police investigate apparent drowning in Kona

A 54-year-old unconscious woman pulled from the ocean along Ali‘i Drive on Sunday is dead.

Authorities suspect it to be a drowning.

Hawai‘i Island police and the Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to the 75-5600 block of Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona for a report of a possible drowning.

Through investigation, officers were advised that an unidentified 54-year-old woman, who had recently moved to Hawai’i from New Mexico was found floating face down in the waters near the shore area. Bystanders were able to pull the woman out and immediately performed CPR on her until the medics arrived on scene.

She was then transported to the Kona Community Hospital and later airlifted to Honolulu in critical condition. The victim was pronounced dead on Monday at 9:29 a.m. at the Queen’s Medical Center.

Police have not identified the woman pending identification and notification of next of kin.

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation to determine the exact cause of death and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Officer Kaimi Andres-Kamakau at 808-935-3311 or by e-mail at Kaimi.Andres-Kamakau@hawaiicounty.gov.